(b) The department will accept any of the following in lieu of the state licensing examination provided that the applicant passes a department examination that verifies their knowledge of the Massage Therapy Act, Arkansas Code § 17-86-101 et seq., and of this part that govern the practice of massage therapy in the state:

1. (1) Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx);
2. (2) National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM); or
3. (3) National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCETMB).

(d) The department may:

1. (1) At its discretion require a practical examination; and
2. (2) Publish guidelines for the examination so that applicants might have insight into what would be expected to be demonstrated.

(e)

1. (1) Every massage therapy license, active or inactive:

   1. (A) Is valid for a period of two (2) years; and
   2. (B) Expires on the licensee’s birthday.

2. (2) The licensee must submit the following for renewal of his or her license:

   1. (A) A completed license renewal application;
   2. (B) Payment of the appropriate fees; and
   3. (C) Documented proof of no fewer than eighteen (18) hours of continuing education that have been approved in accordance with 17 CAR § 52-117.
3. (3) A renewal application must be postmarked on or before the first day of the month preceding the month in which the licensee’s birthday falls in the biennial renewal year. Example. Joe’s birthday is June 14 and his license expires in 2011. His renewal application must be postmarked on or before May 1, 2011.
4. (4) A renewal application postmarked after the first day of the month preceding the month in which the licensee’s birthday falls shall be charged a late fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) in addition to renewal fees.

5. (5)

   1. (A) A license is expired if application is postmarked after the birthday of the licensee in the biennial renewal year.
   2. (B) Before the department issues a new license to an applicant with an expired license, the applicant shall:

(i) Submit a new application that requires the applicant to meet current requirements; and

1. (ii) Successfully complete an examination recognized by the department.

(g)

1. (1) Any individual licensee who is currently not practicing and wishes to place his or her license on the inactive list shall:

   1. (A) Submit a renewal application for inactive status every two (2) years even if remaining inactive;
   2. (B) Surrender his or her current license to the department;
   3. (C) Not practice massage therapy during the time licensee is on the inactive list; and
   4. (D) Not remain on the inactive list for a period to exceed four (4) years without reexamination.

2. (2) An individual who has been placed on the inactive list for fewer than four (4) years and wishes to reactivate licensure shall:

   1. (A) Follow the procedures for license renewal;
   2. (B) Present satisfactory evidence of completion of continuing education hours for the inactive period; and
   3. (C) Pay all appropriate fees before resuming active practice of massage therapy.

3. (3) An individual who passes the four-year time allotment:

   1. (A) Shall be considered to have an expired license; and
   2. (B) Must meet the current requirements for licensure and successfully complete an examination recognized by the department before resuming active practice of massage therapy.