| (f) Inactive paramedic licensure. A licensed paramedic may make application to the department for inactive licensure at any time during the license period or within one year after the license expiration date. (1) The request for inactive licensure shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of $30 in addition to the regular nonrefundable application fee in subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section. If the final requirement is completed during the three month period after expiration, the application is considered late and the total fee required will be 1-1/2 times the amount in subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section. Volunteers are not exempt from inactive fees. (2) Period of inactive paramedic licensure. (A) The inactive license period shall begin upon date of issuance of the notice of inactive license and remain in effect until the end of the original active license period for those candidates who are currently licensed. The candidate's active license is surrendered upon issuance of the notice of inactive certification. (B) If the candidate is within the final year of active licensure and chooses to renew with inactive licensure, the inactive licensure begins on the first day after the expiration of the current active license and shall remain in effect for four years. (C) If the candidate applies during and/or completes the final requirement for inactive licensure within one year after the expiration of active license, the inactive license period shall remain in effect for four years from the date of issuance of the notice of inactive licensure. (3) While holding an inactive licensure, a person shall not practice other than to act as a bystander rendering first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or the use of an Automated External Defibrillator in the capacity of a layperson. Practicing in any other capacity for compensation or as a volunteer shall be cause for denial of reentry and decertification. (4) An individual shall not simultaneously hold inactive and active EMS personnel certification and/or licensure. (5) Renewal of inactive licensure. (A) To renew an inactive license, the applicant shall submit an application and the non-refundable fee, as described in subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section before expiration of the inactive license period. A candidate who meets requirements for inactive renewal shall be awarded an inactive license for a period of four years beginning on the first day after the expiration of the previous inactive license. (B) A candidate whose inactive license has been expired for 90 days or less may renew the inactive license during the 90 day period after expiration of the license upon submitting a fee of 1-1/2 times the normally required renewal fee as described in subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section. If the applicant has already submitted an application and fee, but has not met all of the requirements prior to expiration, another application will not be required, but a total of 1-1/2 times the normally required renewal fee shall be necessary. The applicant shall be relicensed for a period of four years beginning on the date of issuance. (C) A candidate whose inactive license has been expired more than 90 days but less than one year may renew the inactive license upon submitting a fee of two times the normally required renewal fee as described in subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section. If the applicant has already submitted an application and fee, but has not met all of the requirements prior to the 90th day after expiration, another application will not be required, but a total of two times the normally required renewal fee shall be necessary. The applicant shall be relicensed for a period of four years beginning on the date of issuance. (D) A candidate whose inactive license has been expired more than one year must regain active licensure before reapplying for an inactive license as described in §157.33(j) of this title. (g) Inactive to active licensure. (1) An inactive licensed paramedic prior to the expiration of the first four-year inactive licensure period may obtain active licensure by submitting an application and the non-refundable fee to the department, as described in subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section and by completing one of the following options: (A) Option 1--meet the normal 4 year CE requirement for paramedic license renewal as listed in §157.34(b)(2) of this title, submit verification of skills proficiency from an approved education program, and pass the national registry assessment exam. (B) Option 2--complete a department approved recertification course, and pass the national registry assessment exam. (2) A licensee who has held an inactive paramedic license more than four years may return to active licensure only by completing requirements described in subsection (a)(2) of this section or §157.33(j) of this title. (h) Reciprocity. A person currently certified by the National Registry and/or certified or licensed as a paramedic in another state, who meets all the requirements of subsection (a)(1), (2)(B), (D), (E) and (G) of this section may apply for paramedic licensure by submitting an application along with a nonrefundable fee of $120 and meeting the requirements set forth in §157.33(i) of this title. (1) After the department evaluates the application and verifies that the requirements for reciprocity have been met, the candidate will be licensed in Texas for four years from the issuance date of the paramedic license. (2) Prior to the expiration of the reciprocity license, the certificant shall reapply and renew the license according to the requirements of subsection (b) of this section. (i) Equivalency. Candidates meeting the following criteria may apply for a paramedic license upon successful completion of the equivalency process as described in subsection (a)(1), (2)(B), (D), (E) and (G) of this section and §157.33(j) of this title: (1) an individual who completed EMS training outside the United States or its possessions; (2) an individual who is certified or licensed in another healthcare discipline; (3) an individual whose department issued EMS certification or license has been expired for more than one year; or (4) an individual who has held department issued inactive certification or license for more than four years. (j) Conversion from inactive paramedic certification to inactive paramedic licensure. A certified paramedic currently holding inactive certification who meets all other criteria as defined in subsection (a)(1) of this section may apply for inactive licensure. (1) The inactive certificant shall: (A) submit an application for inactive licensure to the department along with a nonrefundable fee of $120; and (B) submit evidence of the issuance of a degree from an accredited college or university as defined in subsection (a)(1) of this section. (2) After verification by the department of the information submitted, an inactive paramedic license will be issued for four years beginning on the day of issuance. (k) For all applications and renewal applications, the department is authorized to collect subscription and convenience fees, in amounts determined by the Texas Online Authority, to recover costs associated with application and renewal application processing through Texas Online. |
