1. (1) Any renewal applicant seeking renewal of a license without having fully complied with the CE Requirements may request a waiver of these requirements from the Board. A request for waiver may be made by filing a renewal application along with the required renewal fee, a statement setting forth the facts concerning non-compliance and request for waiver of the CE Requirements on the basis of the facts stated. A request for waiver shall be made no later than thirty (30) days prior to the renewal date. If the Board finds from the documentation submitted that an extreme hardship has been shown, the Board shall waive enforcement of the CE Requirements for the renewal period for which the applicant has applied.

   1. (a) Extreme hardship shall be determined on an individual case basis by the Board.

   2. (b) Extreme hardship shall be defined as an inability to devote sufficient hours to fulfilling the CE Requirements during the application renewal period due t:

      1. 1. Full-time service in the armed forces of the United States during a substantial part of the prerenewal period; or
      2. 2. An incapacitating illness, as documented in a statement from a currently licensed physician; or
      3. 3. A physical inability to travel to the sites of approved programs as documented by a currently licensed physician;
      4. 4. Any other similar extenuating circumstances.
2. (2) Any renewal applicant who submits a request for a waiver, in whole or in part, pursuant to the provisions of this section, shall be deemed to be in good standing until a final decision regarding the request for waiver is made by the Board.

Author: Alabama Board of Court Reporting

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-8B-1 thru 34-8B-18.

History: New Rule: Filed April 19, 2007; effective May 24, 2007. Amended: Filed June 19, 2012; effective July 24, 2012. Amended: Filed October 19, 2018; effective December 23, 2018.