1. (a) A license expires on the second anniversary of its effective date, unless the license is renewed for a 2-year term as provided in this section.

2. (b) At least 1 month before the license expires, the Board shall send to the licensee, by electronic means or first-class mail to the last known electronic or physical address of the licensee, a renewal notice that states:

   1. (1) The date on which the current license expires;
   2. (2) The date by which the renewal application must be received by the Board for the renewal to be issued and mailed before the license expires; and
   3. (3) The amount of the renewal fee.

3. (c) Before the license expires, the licensee periodically may renew it for an additional 2-year term, if the licensee:

   1. (1) Otherwise is entitled to be licensed;
   2. (2) Pays to the Board a renewal fee set by the Board; and

   3. (3) Submits to the Board:

      1. (i) A renewal application on the form that the Board requires; and
      2. (ii) Satisfactory evidence of compliance with any continuing education requirements under § 19-1807 of the Health--General Article.
4. (d) The Board shall renew the license of each licensee who meets the requirements of this section.

5. (e)

   1. (1) The Board shall require a criminal history records check in accordance with § 9-302.1 of this title for:

      1. (i) Licensure renewal applicants; and
      2. (ii) Each former licensee who files for reinstatement under § 9-3A-09 of this subtitle after failing to renew the license for a period of 1 year or more.

   2. (2) On receipt of the criminal history record information of a licensee forwarded to the Board in accordance with § 9-302.1 of this title, in determining whether to grant a license, the Board shall consider:

      1. (i) The age at which the crime was committed;
      2. (ii) The nature of the crime;
      3. (iii) The circumstances surrounding the crime;
      4. (iv) The length of time that has passed since the crime;
      5. (v) Subsequent work history;
      6. (vi) Employment and character references; and
      7. (vii) Any other evidence that demonstrates whether the licensee poses a threat to the public health or safety.
   3. (3) The Board may not renew or reinstate a license if the criminal history record information required under § 9-302.1 of this title has not been received.
   4. (4) Unless otherwise required, a renewal applicant who previously has completed the criminal history records check as required for the Board's application process does not have to submit to a subsequent criminal history records check for license renewal.

Added by Acts 2022, c. 689, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2022; Acts 2022, c. 690, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2022.