Chapter 295-15 INACTIVE STATUS LICENSES

Rule 295-15-.01 State Examining Boards Inactive Status Licenses

Prior to revocation for non-renewal of a license as defined in O.C.G.A. 43-1-19(1), licensees of these Professional Licensing Boards may apply for inactive licensure status in accordance with the following provisions:

(a)

Georgia State Board of Nursing Home Administrators.

1.

Any licensee who holds a current license and who is not practicing as a nursing home administrator may request the Board to place that license into an "inactive status" upon written application to the Board and payment of a non-refundable inactive status application fee. See fee schedule. The Board, in its sole discretion, may grant or deny the request for inactive status. Any licensee whose license is on inactive status may not engage in the practice of nursing home administration or serve as the administrator of record of a nursing home.

2.

In order to reactivate an inactive license, submit the appropriate application, forms, and fee to the Board.

(i)	If a license is inactive for twelve months or less, but no more than twenty-four months, the applicant must submit forty (40) hours of CE obtained since the Board's last renewal period.

(ii)	If a license is inactive for twenty-four months, but not more than thirty-six months, eighty (80) hours of CE obtained since the Board's last renewal period must be submitted to the Board.

(iii)

If the license has been inactive more than thirty-six months, the applicant must meet current requirements and either submit eighty (80) hours of CE since the Board's last renewal period, OR take and pass the national exam.

(iv)

If the inactive license holds an active license from the Georgia Board's approved state's list and has been employed for one year as a Nursing Home Administrator prior to the date of the application, then the applicant must submit an application, fee, and verification of an active, current license from the state or jurisdiction in which the license is held.

(b)

State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.

1.

A licensee who holds a current license and who is not using the title "psychologist" in Georgia and will not practice psychology in the State of Georgia may apply for Inactive Status by completing an Application for Inactive Status and submitting the appropriate fee to the Board. A licensee may not use their license in the State of Georgia while that license is on Inactive Status.

2.

A licensee who wishes to reactivate an inactive license who has an active license in another state and who has been actively practicing psychology there within the past two years must submit to the Board an Application to Reactivate; documentation of 40 hours of continuing education activities that were completed within two calendar years of the date the application is received by the Board, and appropriate fee.

3.

For the Board to approve reactivation of the license of a psychologist who has not had an active license in another state and who has not been actively practicing psychology, the licensee must also pass both the Georgia Jurisprudence and Oral Examinations in addition to the requirements set forth in (2) above.

(c)

Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine.

1.	A veterinarian or veterinary technician who wishes to discontinue the practice of veterinary medicine may apply for an "inactive license." A veterinarian or veterinary technician holding an "inactive license" may not practice.

2.

A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or a veterinary technician who holds a valid current active license to practice Veterinary Medicine as a veterinarian or veterinary technician in the State of Georgia may request the license be placed on inactive status under the following provisions:

(i)

The Board receives a written request from the licensee requesting inactive status. The written request shall contain the notarized signature of the licensee and contain the following statements:

I.	"I understand that with an inactive license I shall not engage in the practice of veterinary medicine as a veterinarian or veterinary technician and shall not hold myself out to the public as being available to provide veterinary services."

II.	"I understand that I am not required to renew said license while on inactive status."

III.	"I understand I am not required to obtain the continuing education credits while on inactive status unless I request to be placed on active status."

IV.	"I understand that to practice or to hold oneself out as available to practice veterinary medicine with an inactive license is unlicensed practice and I would be subject to disciplinary action."

(ii).

A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or veterinary technology holding an inactive license may seek active status.

To reinstate the license to active status the licensee must:

I.	Submit a written request for reinstatement of said inactive license.

II.	Submit proof of attendance at not less than 30 hours of Board approved continuing education within two years of the date of the request to reinstate.

III.	Provide evidence acceptable to the Board that the licensee has not had a license revoked, suspended, disciplined or otherwise sanctioned in any other jurisdiction that ever issued a license to practice.

IV.	Provide evidence acceptable to the Board that licensee has not been convicted of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude.

V.	Pay the reinstatement fee, as determined by the Board in the fee schedule.

(d)

Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists.

(1)

Inactive licensure status is not available for Associate Professional Counselors or Associate Marriage and Family Therapist licensees.

1.

A licensee who does not intend to practice in Georgia and who therefore does not intend to use the title Professional Counselor, Social Worker, or Marriage and Family Therapist may apply to convert an active license to inactive status. An individual who holds an inactive license will not be required to renew their license or to satisfy the biennial renewal requirements.

2.

A licensee who does not intend to practice in Georgia and who therefore does not intend to practice or use the title Professional Counselor, Social Worker, or Marriage and Family Therapist may apply to convert an active license to an inactive status. An individual who holds an inactive license will not be required to renew their license or to satisfy the biennial renewal requirements.

3.	A license may remain inactive for no more than five years from the date the status is converted to inactive by the administrative staff. If a licensee has not applied to reactivate their license before the five year deadline, the license will be revoked for failure to reactivate.

4.

A person who holds an active license may apply for inactive status in the following manner:

(i)	Submit a completed, signed, notarized "Request for Inactive Status" application to the Board. There is no fee to apply for inactive status;

(ii)	Submit the license pocket card with the application.

5.

A person who holds an inactive license may apply to reactivate their license within five years or less from date active status was converted to inactive status by the administrative staff in the following manner:

(i)	Submit an Application for Reactivation;

(ii)	Submit the reactivation fee (see fee schedule);

(iii)

Submit evidence that the licensee has obtained thirty five hours of continuing education pursuant to Board rule 135-9 within two years of the date of the application for reactivation.

6.	Upon receipt of the application, the fee and continuing education documents the license will be reactivated.

7.	After five years of inactive status, an Application for Reinstatement must be filed pursuant to Board rule 135-6-.04.

(e)

Georgia Board of Athletic Trainers.

1.	A licensee who does not intend to hold themselves out as an athletic trainer or to practice in Georgia as an athletic trainer may apply to convert his/her active athletic trainer license into an inactive status. An individual who holds an inactive license will not be required to renew that license.

2.

A licensee may maintain his/her license on inactive status for no more than five years. If licensee does not apply to reactivate his/ her license before the end of the five-year period, the license will be revoked for failure to reactivate. In order to obtain a new license, a person whose license has been revoked for failure to reactivate must apply for licensure by examination following the procedure set out in Chapter 53-3.

3.

A licensee may apply for inactive status by submitting an affidavit to the Board requesting inactive status and affirming that while on inactive status he/she will not practice athletic training in Georgia or hold themselves out to the public as an athletic trainer in Georgia. The licensee shall forward their biennial renewal license card to the Board with their affidavit but shall be permitted to retain the decorative wall certificate.

4.

The board will reactivate a license upon receipt of the following:

(i)	Application for Reactivation;

(ii)	Reactivation Fee (See Fee Schedule);

(iii)

Evidence of completion of six hours of continuing education approved by the board for each year the license was inactive. However, no proof of continuing education will be required of an applicant for reactivation who during the period that the Georgia license was inactive as (1) practicing with an active license in a jurisdiction that requires continuing education to maintain that license; or (2) practicing with NATA certification in a jurisdiction that has licensing requirement.

(f)

Georgia State Board of Funeral Service.

1.

A funeral director or embalmer who holds a current license and who will not practice funeral directing or embalming in Georgia may apply for Inactive Status by completing an Application for Inactive Status and submitting the appropriate fee (see Fee Schedule) to the Board. Once the license is on inactive status, an embalmer or funeral director shall not practice embalming or funeral directing in the State of Georgia while that license is on Inactive Status.

2.	In order to be placed on Inactive Status, the license must be in good standing and the licensee must show that he/she has met continuing education hours, which will be required at their next renewal.

3.

A funeral director or embalmer who wishes to reactivate an inactive license must submit to the Board an Application to Reactivate, appropriate fee, and documentation of continuing education.

(i)	If the request to reactivate is received more than two years but less than four years from the date on which Inactive Status was approved, the licensee must document five (5) continuing education hours.

(ii)

If the request to reactive is received four or more years after the date on which Inactive Status was approved, the licensee must document ten (10) continuing education hours and take and pass the State Laws and Rules Examination, notwithstanding the fact that he/she may have passed the Laws and Rules Examination on a prior date.

(g)

State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

1.	A licensee who is over the age of 65 and retired; or who has become disabled may apply to the Board for inactive status by submitting the required application and paying the proper fee.

2.	While on inactive status, a licensee is exempt from the payment of the biennial renewal fee and continuing education requirements.

3.	An inactive licensee may not practice professional engineering or land surveying in this State.

4.	An inactive license may be restored by filing the proper application; proof of continuing education requirements; and, approval and reactivation fee to be determined by the Board.

(h)

Georgia Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

1.

A Doctor of Chiropractic who holds a valid license to practice chiropractic in the State of Georgia may request the license be placed on inactive status under the following provisions:

(a)	Notifies the Board, in writing, that he or she chooses to retire from active practice of the profession or will no longer practice Chiropractic in the State of Georgia.

(b)	Provides a statement acknowledging that he or she shall not engage in the practice of Chiropractic and shall not hold themselves out to the public as being available to provide chiropractic services in this state.

2.

Upon meeting the aforementioned conditions said license shall be considered inactive and the licensee:

(a)	Shall not be required to obtain the necessary continuing education credits for renewal of the license.

(b)	Shall not be assessed a renewal fee for the period that the license is inactive.

3.	Within the State of Georgia, the practice of chiropractic with an inactive license shall be considered unlicensed practice and is subject to disciplinary action.

4.

Should a Doctor of Chiropractic holding an inactive license choose to return to active practice in this state, the following requirements must be met:

(a)	Submit an application for reactivation along with the reactivation fee established by the Board.

(b)	Submit evidence of attendance at forty (40) hours of Board approved continuing education within the last two (2) years.

(c)	Provide evidence that licensee is in good standing in all jurisdictions in which he or she has ever been licensed.

5.	After 5 years of continuous inactive status, the Board may, at its discretion require successful completion of the Special Purposes Examination for Chiropractic (SPEC) and/or additional coursework.

(i)

Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy.

1.

Any licensee who is no longer practicing as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in the State of Georgia may request an inactive license status by filing an application for inactive status and paying the appropriate fee. Refer to the fee schedule.

(i)	An individual holding inactive status may not practice as a physical therapist or work as a physical therapist assistant within the State of Georgia.

(ii)	Any individual holding inactive status is not subject to the biennial renewal fees or continuing competence requirements.

(iii)

An individual whose license is under any sanction may not transfer to inactive status while sanctions are in effect.

(iv)	Any individual holding inactive status may return to active status by meeting all requirements for reinstatement as outlined herein.

(j)

Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Dietitians.

1.	The holder of an active license may request to place the license on inactive status by submitting a written request to the board no later than June 30th following the March 31st expiration date.

2.	The holder of an inactive license that continues to practice is subject to disciplinary action for unlicensed practice.

3.	An inactive license may be reinstated by application for Reinstatement as provided in Rule 157-2-.04(2).

4.	The holder of an inactive license is required to obtain the required continuing professional education units that are obtained by active licensees.

(k)

Georgia State Board of Architects and Interior Designers.

1.

A registered interior designer holding a valid license to practice in Georgia who has retired from active practice and is no longer practicing as a registered interior designer in Georgia, may request inactive license status by filing the required application and paying the appropriate fee indicated in the fee schedule.

2.	Any individual whose license is under any sanction and is not in good standing may not transfer to inactive status while sanctions are in effect.

3.

An individual holding inactive status shall abide by the following conditions:

(i)	may not practice and may not offer registered interior design services;

(ii)	may not hold themselves out to the public as being available to provide such services; and

(iii)

may only use the term registered interior designer as long as it is not used to imply active practice or that registered interior design services are currently offered.

4.	Any practice of registered interior design services while holding an inactive license shall be considered unlicensed practice and is subject to disciplinary action.

5.	Any individual holding inactive status is not subject to the biennial renewal fee or the professional development requirements.

6.

An individual may apply to have an inactive license reactivated by submitting the following items:

(i)	a completed application;

(ii)	the appropriate fee as indicated in the fee schedule; and

(iii)

the evidence of having satisfied the reinstatement requirements for professional development as provided in Rule 50-9-.05(2)(b).

7.	Reactivation of a license is at the sole discretion of the Board.

(l)

State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors.

1.

A residential or general contractor who holds a valid residential or general contractor's license in the State of Georgia may request the license be placed on inactive status under the following provisions:

(i)	Notifies the Board, in writing, that he or she chooses to retire from active practice of the profession. Said license shall be considered inactive.

(ii)	Shall not engage in contracting and shall not hold themselves out to the public as being available to provide contractor services.

(iii)

Shall not be required to obtain the necessary continuing education credits.

(iv)	Shall not be assessed a renewal fee for the period that the license is inactive.

2.	Contracting with an inactive license shall be considered unlicensed practice and is subject to disciplinary action.

3.

Should contractor holding an inactive license choose to return to active status, the following requirements must be met:

(i)	Submit evidence of attendance of the required Board approved continuing education for each biennium that the license was inactive.

(ii)	Provide evidence that licensee is in good standing in all states in which he or she has ever been licensed. A reactivation fee as established by the board must be submitted with the application for reactivation.

(iii)

Submit proof of current general liability insurance and workers' compensation as required by law for the license type that is to be reinstated.

(iv)	Submit other proof of financial responsibility as is required for the license type that is to be reinstated.

4.	After 5 years of continuous inactive status, the Board may, at its discretion require successful passing of the contractor examination in the contractor field for the license that the contractor wishes to reinstate.

(m)

Georgia Board of Nursing.

1.

A currently licensed registered professional nurse or licensed practical nurse who wishes to maintain his or her license but who does not wish to practice nursing in this State may apply for inactive licensure status by submitting an application for inactive status and paying the required fee. A licensee granted inactive status is exempt from filing a biennial license renewal application and paying a license renewal fee. A licensee who holds an inactive license shall not practice as a registered professional nurse or licensed practical nurse.

2.

An inactive license may be changed to active status by filing an application for reinstatement with the Board, complying with reinstatement requirements as defined by the Board, and paying a reinstatement fee, as determined by the Board. Applicants must be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Board that he or she has maintained current knowledge, skill and proficiency in the practice of nursing and that he or she is mentally and physically able to practice nursing with reasonable skill and safety.

(n)

Georgia Board of Optometry.

1.

Doctors of Optometry who have reached their sixty-fifth (65th) birthday or who can provide certification of disability to practice Optometry may request that their license be placed on inactive status under the following provisions:

(i)	In the event that a Doctor of Optometry who holds a valid license to practice Optometry in the State of Georgia notifies the Board that he chooses to retire from active practice of the profession, his license shall be considered to be inactive;

(ii)	Doctors holding an inactive license shall not engage in the practice of Optometry and shall not hold themselves out to the public as being available to provide optometric services;

(iii)

A Doctor of Optometry holding an inactive license shall not be required to obtain the necessary continuing education credits and no renewal fee shall be assessed.

(o)

Georgia Board of Podiatry Examiners.

1.

The Joint Secretary has designated a category of inactive license which the Board has determined will be available for those persons meeting the prescribed criteria which shall remain in full force for life, unless reactivated under Board Rule 500-4-.02(2), and which shall incur no fees. To be eligible to be placed in inactive status, a licensee must:

(i)	Demonstrate an inability to practice podiatry due to age, physical impairment, or infirmity which time is not expected to resolve;

(ii)	Have a current active license in good standing to practice podiatry in the State of Georgia;

(iii)

Must not be under administrative disciplinary action or court action or probation;

(iv)	Licensees desiring to be placed on inactive status must apply in writing to the Board and submit evidence of inability to practice.

2.

Once placed in inactive status, the license holder thereafter shall not engage in the practice of podiatry in any manner in the State of Georgia. The only avenue of reactivation shall be at the discretion of the Board under conditions acceptable to the Board. Licensees seeking reactivation shall be required to pay past license renewal fees based on the current renewal rate for each inactive renewal cycle and submit proof of continuing education for each biennium on inactive status.

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