2023 Maryland Statutes › Health Occupations › Title 19 - Social Workers › Subtitle 3 - Licensing › Section 19-309 - Inactive Status and Reactivation

(a)    (1)    The Board shall place a licensee on inactive status for a maximum of 5 years, if the licensee submits to the Board:
(i)    A written application for inactive status in a form prescribed by the Board; and
(ii)    The inactive status fee set by the Board.
(2)    The Board shall provide a licensee who has complied with the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection with written notification of:
(i)    The date that the license expired;
(ii)    The date that the licensee’s inactive status becomes effective;
(iii)    The date that the licensee’s inactive status expires; and
(iv)    The consequences of not resuming active status before expiration of inactive status.
(3)    Subject to subsection (e) of this section, the Board shall reactivate a license for an individual on inactive status who:
(i)    Applies to the Board for reactivation of the license;
(ii)    Complies with the reactivation requirements that are in effect when the individual requests the reactivation of the license;
(iii)    Has completed the number of credit hours of approved continuing education in social work set by the Board in the 2 years preceding the licensee’s application for reactivation;
(iv)    Pays to the Board the reactivation processing fee set by the Board;
(v)    Submits to the Board satisfactory evidence of having completed a State and national criminal history records check in accordance with § 19–302.2 of this subtitle; and
(vi)    Has been on inactive status for less than 5 years.
(b)    (1)    The Board shall place a licensee on nonrenewed status for a maximum of 5 years if the licensee does not renew the licensee’s license under § 19–308 of this subtitle or apply for inactive status under subsection (a) of this section.
(2)    The Board shall provide a licensee who does not renew the licensee’s license under § 19–308 of this subtitle or apply for inactive status under subsection (a) of this section with written notification of:
(i)    The date that the license expired;
(ii)    The date that the licensee’s nonrenewed status becomes effective;
(iii)    The date that the licensee’s nonrenewed status expires; and
(iv)    The fact that the licensee may not practice social work in the State.
(3)    Subject to subsection (e) of this section, the Board shall reinstate a license for an individual on nonrenewed status who:
(i)    Applies to the Board for reinstatement of the license;
(ii)    Pays to the Board the reinstatement processing fee set by the Board;
(iii)    Complies with the reinstatement requirements that are in effect when the individual requests the reinstatement of the license;
(iv)    Has completed the number of credit hours of approved continuing education in social work set by the Board in the 2 years preceding the individual’s application for reinstatement;
(v)    Submits to the Board satisfactory evidence of having completed a State and national criminal history records check in accordance with § 19–302.2 of this subtitle; and
(vi)    Has been on nonrenewed status for less than 5 years.
(c)    An individual who has been on inactive status or nonrenewed status for more than 5 years or who otherwise fails to apply for reactivation under subsection (a)(3) of this section or reinstatement under subsection (b)(3) of this section shall apply for reissuance in accordance with subsection (d) of this section.
(d)    Subject to subsection (e) of this section, the Board shall reissue a license to an individual who:
(1)    Applies to the Board for reissuance of the license;
(2)    Pays to the Board the reissuance processing fee set by the Board and any other appropriate fees required by the Board;
(3)    Provides any documentation required by the Board, in a form prescribed by the Board;
(4)    Meets the requirements of § 19–302(a) of this subtitle;
(5)    Submits to the Board satisfactory evidence of having completed a State and national criminal history records check in accordance with § 19–302.2 of this subtitle; and
(6)    (i)    Passes the respective examination required for initial licensure; or
(ii)    1.    Holds an active license to practice social work in another state under a category of licensure that is equivalent to a licensed bachelor social worker, licensed master social worker, certified social worker, or certified social worker–clinical; and
2.    Has passed an examination in that state as a condition of licensure.
(e)    (1)    On receipt of the criminal history record information of an applicant for licensure forwarded to the Board in accordance with § 19–302.2 of this�subtitle, in determining whether to reactivate, reinstate, or reissue a license, the Board shall consider:
(i)    The age at which the crime was committed;
(ii)    The nature of the crime;
(iii)    The circumstances surrounding the crime;
(iv)    The length of time that has passed since the crime;
(v)    Subsequent work history;
(vi)    Employment and character references; and
(vii)    Any other evidence that demonstrates whether the applicant poses a threat to the public health or safety.
(2)    The Board may not reactivate, reinstate, or reissue a license if the criminal history record information required under § 19–302.2 of this subtitle has not been received.