(a) A license expires on the 28th day of the birth month of the licensee and may not be renewed for a term longer than 2 years.
(b) (1) At least 3 months before a license expires, the Board shall send to the licensee a renewal notice by:
(i) First–class mail to the last known mailing address of the licensee; or
(ii) Electronic means to the last known electronic address of the licensee.
(2) If a licensee is required to have a criminal history records check before a license may be renewed, the Board shall send the licensee the documents necessary for initiating the criminal history records check in conjunction with the renewal notice required under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(c) Before a license expires, the licensee periodically may renew it for an additional term, if the licensee:
(1) Otherwise is entitled to be licensed;
(2) Pays to the Board:
(i) A renewal fee set by the Board; or
(ii) A renewal fee that is set by the Board if the licensee certifies to the Board that the licensee provides professional services only as a volunteer; and
(3) Submits to the Board by paper application or electronic means:
(i) A renewal application on the form that the Board requires; and
(ii) Satisfactory evidence of completion of:
1. 1,000 hours of active nursing practice within the 5–year period immediately preceding the date of renewal;
2. A course of instruction, commonly known as a refresher course, approved by the Board;
3. A preceptorship program provided by an employer and approved by the Board; or
4. A minimum number of continuing education units as required by regulations adopted by the Board.
(d) The Board may grant a 30–day extension, beyond a license’s expiration date, to a licensee so that the licensee may renew the license before it expires.
(e) (1) Each licensee shall notify the Board in writing of any change in the name or address of the licensee within 60 days after the change occurred.
(2) If a licensee fails to notify the Board within the time required under this subsection, subject to the hearing provisions of § 8–317 of this subtitle, the Board may impose an administrative penalty of $100.
(f) (1) Subject to subsection (g) of this section, the Board shall renew the license of each licensee who meets the requirements of this section.
(2) A volunteer’s license issued under subsection (c)(2)(ii) of this section shall be clearly designated as a volunteer’s license.
(g) (1) (i) A criminal history records check is required in accordance with § 8–303 of this subtitle on:
1. Selected annual renewal applicants as determined by regulations adopted by the Board; and
2. Each licensee who files for reinstatement under § 8–313 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 12 years thereafter.
(2) On receipt of the criminal history record information of a licensee forwarded to the Board in accordance with § 8–303 of this subtitle, in determining whether to initiate a disciplinary action against a licensee based on the information received, the Board shall consider:
(i) The age at which the crime was committed;
(ii) The circumstances surrounding the crime;
(iii) The length of time that has passed since the crime;
(iv) Subsequent work history;
(v) Employment and character references; and
(vi) Other evidence that demonstrates whether the licensee poses a threat to the public health or safety.
(3) The Board may not renew a license without written documentation that the applicant has submitted to a criminal history records check required under § 8–303 of this subtitle.