| (a) The Board staff will mail or e-mail a renewal notice
to the last recorded address of each licensee, at least sixty (60)
days prior to the date the license is about to expire. Regardless
of whether the renewal notice is received, it is the sole responsibility
of the licensee to pay the required renewal fee together with any
applicable penalty at the time of payment. A licensee may renew a
current license up to sixty (60) days in advance of its expiration.
An expired license may be renewed within three years of the license
expiration date.
(b) Upon the first renewal of a license, the licensure
period will be prorated so that the new expiration date will be the
last day of the licensee's birth month. The prorated renewal period
will be for a minimum of four months and a maximum of fifteen months.
Every subsequent expiration date shall be set for one year past the
previous renewal date.
(c) A late penalty fee of $50 will be charged for a
complete renewal application and fee received or postmarked sixty-one
(61) days after the licensee's expiration date.
(d) The Appointed Board may refuse to renew a license
if the licensee is the subject of a lawsuit regarding his/her practice
of geoscience or is found censurable for a violation of TBPG laws
or rules that would warrant such disciplinary action under §851.157
of this chapter.
(e) A license that has been expired for sixty (60)
days or less may be renewed by submitting a P.G. Renewal Application
(Form B) and the annual renewal fee to the TBPG. The renewal fee for
a license that is renewed within sixty (60) days of expiration is
the fee that was in place at the time the license expired. The licensee
must also submit a signed Statement of Affirmation (Form VII) indicating
whether the licensee practiced as a P.G. when their license was expired.
Information regarding unlicensed non-exempt public geoscience practice
received under this section shall be referred to the enforcement division
for appropriate action that could include the initiation of a complaint
by the Board staff.
(f) A license that has been expired for more than sixty
(60) days and less than ten months from the license expiration date
may be renewed by submitting to the TBPG a P.G. Renewal Application
(Form B), the annual renewal fee, and the late penalty fee. The renewal
fee for a license that is renewed for more than sixty (60) days and
less than ten months of expiration is the fee that was in place at
the time the license expired. The licensee must also submit a signed
Statement of Affirmation (Form VII) indicating whether the licensee
practiced as a P.G. when their license was expired. Information regarding
unlicensed non-exempt public geoscience practice received under this
section shall be referred to the enforcement division for appropriate
action that could include the initiation of a complaint by the Board
staff.
(g) A license that has expired for ten months or more
but less than three years after the license expiration date may be
renewed by submitting to the TBPG a P.G. Renewal Application (Form
B), the annual renewal fee for each year missed plus the current year's
renewal fee, and the late penalty fee. The licensee must also submit
a signed Statement of Affirmation (Form VII), indicating whether the
licensee practiced as a P.G. when the license was expired. If an applicant
for renewal who has met the requirements for renewal has practiced
as a P.G. with the license expired, the license shall be renewed.
Information regarding unlicensed practice received under this section
shall be referred to the enforcement division for appropriate action
that could include the initiation of a complaint by the Board staff.
(h) A license that is allowed to expire for a period
of three years after the license expiration date is permanently expired
and may not be renewed. The former licensee may re-apply for a new
license as provided by the Act and applicable TBPG rules and will
have to meet all licensure requirements in said Act and rules at the
time of re-application.
(i) As per §1002.403 of the Act, the Appointed
Board may suspend or revoke a license as disciplinary action against
a licensee who is found censurable for a violation of the Act or rules.
(1) A license that has been suspended can be reinstated
by the Board staff only if the suspended licensee complies with all
conditions of the suspension, which may include payment of fines,
continuing education requirements, participation in a peer review
program or any other disciplinary action outlined in the Board Order
that suspended the license.
(2) A license that has been revoked can be re-instated
only if, by a majority vote, the Appointed Board approves reinstatement,
given the applicant:
(A) Re-applies and submits all required application
materials and fees;
(B) Successfully completes an examination in the required
discipline of geoscience being sought for reinstatement if the applicant
has not previously passed said examination; and
(C) Provides evidence to demonstrate competency and
that future non-compliance with the statute and rules of the TBPG
will not occur.
(j) Pursuant to Texas Occupations Code §55.002,
a licensee is exempt from any increased fee or other penalty imposed
in this section for failing to renew the license in a timely manner
if the licensee provides adequate documentation, including copies
of orders, to establish to the satisfaction of the Executive Director
that the licensee failed to renew in a timely manner because the licensee
was serving on active duty in the United States armed forces outside
of Texas.
(k) The application fee is non-refundable.
|
| Source Note: The provisions of this §851.28 adopted to be effective December 15, 2010, 35 TexReg 10695; amended to be effective October 1, 2013, 38 TexReg 5731; amended to be effective December 11, 2014, 39 TexReg 9539; amended to be effective October 31, 2018, 43 TexReg 7140; amended to be effective March 6, 2022, 47 TexReg 947 |
