2023 Maryland Statutes › Health Occupations › Title 17 - Professional Counselors and Therapists › Subtitle 5 - General Provisions; Disciplinary Actions › Section 17-504 - Expiration and Renewal

(a)    (1)    A license or certificate expires on the date set by the Board, unless the license or certificate is renewed for an additional term as provided in this section.
(2)    A license or certificate may not be renewed for a term longer than 2 years.
(b)    At least 1 month before the license or certificate expires, the Board shall send to the licensee or certificate holder, by electronic means or first–class mail to the last known electronic or physical address of the licensee or certificate holder, a renewal notice that states:
(1)    The date on which the current license or certificate expires;
(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 or certificate expires; and
(3)    The amount of the renewal fee.
(c)    Each licensee or certificate holder shall notify the Board of any change in the address of the licensee or certificate holder.
(d)    Before the license or certificate expires, the licensee or certificate holder periodically may renew it for an additional 2–year term, if the licensee or certificate holder:
(1)    Otherwise is entitled to be licensed or certified;
(2)    Pays to the Board the renewal fee set by the Board;
(3)    Submits to the Board a renewal application on the form that the Board requires; and
(4)    Submits satisfactory evidence of compliance with any continuing education requirements as required by the Board for license or certificate renewal.
(e)    (1)    The Board shall renew the license or certificate of and issue a renewal license or certificate to each licensee or certificate holder who meets the requirements of this section.
(2)    The Board shall include the term of the renewal on each renewal license or certificate that the Board issues.
(f)    (1)    (i)    Beginning with the renewal cycle in 2015, the Board shall begin a process of requiring criminal history records checks in accordance with § 17–501.1 of this subtitle on:
1.    Selected renewal applicants as determined by regulations adopted by the Board; and
2.    Each former licensee who files for reinstatement under § 17–505 of this subtitle after failing to renew the license for a period of 1 year or more.
(ii)    An additional criminal history records check shall be performed every 6 years after the initial records check required under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.
(2)    (i)    On receipt of the criminal history record information of an applicant for license or certificate renewal forwarded to the Board in accordance with § 17–501.1 of this subtitle, in determining whether to renew a license or certificate, the Board shall consider:
1.    The age at which the crime was committed;
2.    The circumstances surrounding the crime;
3.    The length of time that has passed since the crime;
4.    Subsequent work history;
5.    Employment and character references; and
6.    Other evidence that demonstrates whether the applicant poses a threat to the public health or safety.
(ii)    The Board may not renew a license or certificate if the criminal history record information required under § 17–501.1 of this subtitle has not been received.