.10 Renewal and Reinstatement of Licensure as a Licensed Genetic Counselor.
A. At least 1 month before the license expires, the Board shall send a renewal notice to the licensed genetic counselor that states:
(1) The date on which the current license expires;
(2) The date by which the renewal application shall be received by the Board for the renewal to be issued before the license expires; and
(3) The amount of the renewal fee set by the Board in accordance with Regulation .12 of this chapter.
B. Renewal.
(1) The Board may not renew a license until the Office of the Comptroller or the Maryland Department of Labor has verified that the individual has paid all undisputed taxes and unemployment insurance contributions, or arranged for repayment, as required by COMAR 10.31.02.
(2) An individual who has been licensed by the Board as a licensed genetic counselor may renew the license every 2 years on or before the date specified by the Board by:
(a) Submitting a renewal application on the form supplied by the Board;
(b) Paying the required renewal fee set by the Board in accordance with Regulation .12 of this chapter; and
(c) Attesting to:
(i) Current certification by the national certifying board; or
(ii) Completion of at least 50 hours of continuing education credits approved by the national certifying board, earned during the 2-year period preceding the expiration of the license for genetic counseling.
(3) Documentation of Continuing Education.
(a) A genetic counselor shall obtain documentation of attendance at continuing education and retain the documentation for 6 years.
(b) The documentation shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
(i) Program title;
(ii) Sponsor’s name;
(iii) Genetic counselor’s name;
(iv) Inclusive date or dates and location of the program;
(v) The number of continuing education hours earned; and
(vi) Documented verification that the genetic counselor attended the program by stamp, signature, print-out, or other official proof.
(c) Proof of maintenance of certification by the national certifying board may be used to document compliance with the continuing education requirements specified in this regulation.
(d) The Board may request a genetic counselor to submit evidence of having met the continuing education requirements specified in this regulation.
(e) If a genetic counselor cannot demonstrate completion of the required continuing education credit hours, the Board may impose a civil penalty of up to $100 per missing continuing education credit hour.
C. Reinstatement. The Board shall reinstate the license of a licensed genetic counselor who has failed to renew the license for any reason if the genetic counselor:
(1) Applies for reinstatement after the date the license expires;
(2) Provides documentation of current certification by the national certifying board;
(3) Completes a criminal history records check in accordance with Health Occupations Article, §14-308.1, Annotated Code of Maryland; and
(4) Pays to the Board the reinstatement fee set by the Board in accordance with Regulation .12 of this chapter.
D. Reinstatement of a Revoked or Surrendered License.
(1) On the application of an individual whose license has been revoked or surrendered, a disciplinary panel, on the affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum, may in its discretion reinstate a revoked or surrendered license.
(2) When a time period is not stated in an order for revocation or letter of surrender, the disciplinary panel may not entertain an application for post-disciplinary reinstatement until at least 3 years after the date of the order or letter of surrender.
(3) A revocation of a license may not be for less than 1 year.
(4) A disciplinary panel may not entertain an application for post-disciplinary reinstatement after an order of revocation unless:
(a) Any time period stated in the order has expired;
(b) Any condition set out in the order has been fulfilled;
(c) The applicant has filed a formal application and paid the fee set by the Board in accordance with Regulation .12 of this chapter; and
(d) The applicant:
(i) Applies for reinstatement after the date the license expires;
(ii) Provides documentation of current certification by the national certifying board;
(iii) Completes a criminal history records check in accordance with Health Occupations Article, §14-308.1, Annotated Code of Maryland;
(5) A disciplinary panel shall entertain applications for reinstatement pursuant to the procedures and standards of COMAR 10.32.02.06B.
(6) A disciplinary panel may not entertain applications for reinstatement if a revocation or surrender is permanent.
