(a) (1) If any licensee does not apply for the renewal of a preexisting license on or before the date of the expiration of the license, a penalty of twenty-five dollars ($25) shall be added to the fee provided for under Section 56571 or 56571.5. That penalty shall be paid within 30 days immediately following the license expiration date . Payment of the penalty shall entitle the applicant to 60 days from the date of the penalty payment to complete the application. If the application is not completed within such time, the application shall be denied and all fees retained by the department.
(2) If the penalty described in paragraph (1) is not paid within the 30-day period, any application for renewal of a preexisting license shall be treated as a new application.
(b) A new applicant shall have 60 days from the date of filing the application form and payment of the fee to complete the application. After the 60-day period has elapsed, if the application remains incomplete, the application may be denied and the application fee retained by the department.
(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 198, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2000.)