17-86-309. Renewals — Inactive list — Continuing education.

17-86-309. Renewals — Inactive list — Continuing education. (a)(1)(A) A license issued under this chapter is valid for two (2) years and expires on the licensee's birthday. (B)(i) If a license issued under this chapter is not renewed by the first day of the month preceding the birthdate of the licensee in the biennial renewal year, the license expires. (ii)(a) If a license expires under subdivision (a)(1)(B)(i) of this section, the applicant shall submit a new application that requires the applicant to meet current requirements and successfully complete an examination recognized by the Department of Health. (b) The department shall issue a license effective as of the date of receipt of the late application and all new applicant fees. (c) An individual licensee who is not currently in practice and who wishes to place his or her license on the inactive list may remain on the inactive list for not more than four (4) years without reexamination. (2) Each license for a massage therapy school is valid for a period of one (1) year and expires on June 30 of each year, whereupon a renewal license may be issued upon submission of a completed license renewal application with payment of the fee or fees prescribed for class of certification. (3) Every license for licensees, both active and inactive, shall expire on the birthdate of the licensee in the biennial renewal year. (4) Each renewal for licensees shall be accompanied by proof of no fewer than eighteen (18) hours of continuing education that have been approved by the department. (b) A renewal application for a licensee is due on or before the first day of the month preceding the month of the birthdate of the licensee in the biennial renewal year. (c) A renewal application for a licensee postmarked after the first day of the month preceding the month of the birthdate of the licensee of the biennial renewal year shall be levied a late penalty fee not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00). (d)(1) An application for renewal postmarked after the birthdate of the licensee in the biennial renewal year will be treated as an application to renew an expired license. (2)(A) A license is expired if the application is postmarked after the birthdate of the licensee in the biennial renewal year. (B) Before the department issues a new license to an applicant whose license has expired under subdivision (d)(2)(A) of this section, the applicant shall: (i) Submit a new application that requires the applicant to meet current requirements; and (ii) Successfully complete an examination recognized by the department. (e) The department shall issue a license effective as of the date of receipt of the late application and all renewal fees, penalties, and required documentation. (f)(1) Any individual licensee who is not currently in practice and who wishes to place his or her license on the inactive list may remain on this list for a period not to exceed four (4) years without reexamination. (2) After the time allowed under subdivision (f)(1) of this section, all inactive licensees shall meet current requirements for licensure and must successfully complete an examination recognized by the department before resuming the active practice of massage therapy. (g) Any individual licensee who has been placed on the inactive list for fewer than four (4) years and who wishes to reactivate his or her license shall follow the procedures for license renewal as provided for in this section, present satisfactory evidence of completion of continuing education hours as required by subsection (a) of this section for the inactive period, and pay all appropriate fees before resuming the active practice of massage therapy. (h) The fee for placement on the inactive list shall not exceed eighty dollars ($80.00) per biennium. (i)(1) A licensee whose massage therapy school license renewal is postmarked after April 30 of each year shall pay a late fee not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500). (2) A massage therapy school license renewal postmarked after June 30 of each year automatically expires. (3) A licensee whose massage therapy school license has expired shall submit a new application to the department with current requirements and fees. (j)(1) Each application for continuing education programs shall be accompanied by an application fee not to exceed forty dollars ($40.00). (2)(A) A licensee holding a valid Arkansas massage therapy license may request department approval of appropriate continuing education courses otherwise not approved by the department. (B) Courses shall meet similar standards as courses approved by the department. (C) Proof of residency shall accompany the request.