Subd. 1. Inactive status.

1. (a) A licensee qualifies for inactive status under either of the circumstances described in paragraph (b) or (c).
2. (b) A licensee qualifies for inactive status when the licensee is granted temporary leave from active practice. A licensee qualifies for temporary leave from active practice if the licensee demonstrates to the satisfaction of the board that the licensee is not engaged in the practice of social work in any setting, including settings in which social workers are exempt from licensure pursuant to section 148D.065. A licensee who is granted temporary leave from active practice may reactivate the license pursuant to section 148D.080.

3. (c) A licensee qualifies for inactive status when a licensee is granted an emeritus license. A licensee qualifies for an emeritus license if the licensee demonstrates to the satisfaction of the board that:

   1. (i) the licensee is retired from social work practice; and

   2. (ii) the licensee is not engaged in the practice of social work in any setting, including settings in which social workers are exempt from licensure pursuant to section 148D.065.

      A licensee who possesses an emeritus license may reactivate the license pursuant to section 148D.080.

Subd. 2. Application.

A licensee may apply for inactive status:

1. (1) at any time by submitting an application for a temporary leave from active practice or for an emeritus license; or

2. (2) as an alternative to applying for the renewal of a license by so recording on the application for license renewal and submitting the completed, signed application to the board.

   An application that is not completed or signed, or that is not accompanied by the correct fee, must be returned to the applicant, along with any fee submitted, and is void. For applications submitted electronically, a "signed application" means providing an attestation as specified by the board.

Subd. 3. Fee.

1. (a) Regardless of when the application for inactive status is submitted, the temporary leave or emeritus license fee specified in section 148D.180, whichever is applicable, must accompany the application. A licensee who is approved for inactive status before the license expiration date is not entitled to receive a refund for any portion of the license or renewal fee.
2. (b) If an application for temporary leave is received after the license expiration date, the licensee must pay a renewal late fee as specified in section 148D.180 in addition to the temporary leave fee.

Subd. 4. Time limits for temporary leaves.

A licensee may maintain an inactive license on temporary leave for no more than five consecutive years. If a licensee does not apply for reactivation within 60 days following the end of the consecutive five-year period, the license automatically expires.

Subd. 5. Time limits for emeritus license.

A licensee with an emeritus license may not apply for reactivation pursuant to section 148D.080 after five years following the granting of the emeritus license. However, after five years following the granting of the emeritus license, an individual may apply for new licensure pursuant to section 148D.055.

Subd. 6. Prohibition on practice.

1. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a licensee whose license is inactive must not practice, attempt to practice, offer to practice, or advertise or hold out as authorized to practice social work.
2. (b) The board may grant a variance to the requirements of paragraph (a) if a licensee on inactive status provides emergency social work services. A variance is granted only if the board provides the variance in writing to the licensee. The board may impose conditions or restrictions on the variance.

Subd. 7. Representations of professional status.

In making representations of professional status to the public, a licensee whose license is inactive must state that the license is inactive and that the licensee cannot practice social work.

Subd. 8. Disciplinary or other action.

The board may resolve any pending complaints against a licensee before approving an application for inactive status. The board may take action pursuant to sections 148D.255 to 148D.270 against a licensee whose license is inactive based on conduct occurring before the license is inactive or conduct occurring while the license is inactive.