This section sets license-renewal rules, fees, deadlines, and consequences for late renewal.
Sec. 257.002. LICENSE RENEWAL. (a) A person required to hold a license as a practitioner under this subtitle who fails or refuses to apply for renewal of a license and pay the required fee on or before the specified date is: (1) suspended from practice; and (2) subject to the penalties imposed by law on any person unlawfully engaging in a practice regulated under this subtitle. (b) A person who is otherwise eligible to renew a license may renew an unexpired license by paying the required renewal fee to the board before the expiration date of the license. A person whose license has expired may not engage in activities that require a license until the license has been renewed. (c) A person whose license has been expired for 90 days or less may renew the license by paying to the board a renewal fee that is equal to 1-1/2 times the normally required renewal fee. (c-1) A person whose license has been expired for more than 90 days but less than one year may renew the license by paying to the board a renewal fee that is equal to two times the normally required renewal fee. (d) Except as provided by Subsection (d-1) or (d-2), a person whose license has been expired for one year or more may not renew the license. The person may obtain a new license by complying with the requirements and procedures, including the examination requirements, for obtaining an original license. (d-1) A person who was licensed in this state, moved to another state, and is currently licensed and has been in practice in the other state for the two years preceding the date of application may obtain a new license without reexamination. The person must pay to the board a fee that is equal to two times the normally required renewal fee for the license. (d-2) The board may renew the license of a person whose license has been expired for one year or more without requiring the person to comply with the requirements and procedures for an original license if the person places the person's renewed license on retired status and confines the person's practice solely to voluntary charity care under Section 256.102(f). (e) Not later than the 30th day before the date a person's license is scheduled to expire, the board shall send written notice of the impending expiration to the person at the person's last known address according to the board's records. (f) The requirements prescribed by this section relating to the payment of license fees and penalties for the failure to timely renew a license do not apply to license holders who are on active duty with the armed forces of the United States and are not engaged in private or civilian practice. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 14.084(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 17, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 456 (H.B. 643), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 295 (S.B. 313), Sec. 14, eff. September 1, 2017.