The board may set license-expiration schedules and renewal rules, and people can renew expired licenses only within specified time windows and payment conditions.
Sec. 301.301. LICENSE RENEWAL. (a) The board by rule may adopt a system under which licenses expire on various dates during the year. (b) A person may renew an unexpired license issued under this chapter on payment to the board of the required renewal fee before the expiration date of the license and compliance with any other renewal requirements adopted by the board. 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 the required renewal fee and a late fee in the amount considered appropriate by the board to encourage timely renewal. (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 all unpaid renewal fees and a late fee that is equal to twice the amount of a late fee under Subsection (c). (d) The board by rule shall set a length of time beyond which an expired license may not be renewed. The board by rule may establish additional requirements that apply to the renewal of a license that has been expired for more than one year but less than the time limit set by the board beyond which a license may not be renewed. The person may obtain a new license by submitting to reexamination and complying with the requirements and procedures for obtaining an original license. (e) At least 30 days before the expiration of the person's license, the board shall send written notice of the impending license expiration to the person at the person's last known address according to the records of the board. (f) A registered nurse who practices professional nursing or a vocational nurse who practices vocational nursing after the expiration of the nurse's license is an illegal practitioner whose license may be revoked or suspended. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 553, Sec. 1.023, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1058 (H.B. 1366), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2005. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 889 (H.B. 2426), Sec. 21, eff. September 1, 2007. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 509 (H.B. 2950), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2017.