§ 90-455.  Qualifications for license; renewal; inactive, suspended, expired, or lapsed license.

(a) Initial License. - To receive a license to practice acupuncture, a person shall meet all of the following requirements:

(1) Submit a completed application as required by the Board.

(2) Submit any fees required by the Board.

(3) Submit proof of successful completion of a licensing examination administered or approved by the Board.

(4) Provide documentary evidence of having met one of the following standards of education, training, or demonstrated experience:

a. Successful completion of a three-year postgraduate acupuncture college or training program approved by the Board.

b. Continuous licensure to practice acupuncture by an agency of another state or another state whose qualifications for licensure meet or exceed those of this State for at least 10 years before application for licensure in this State during which time no disciplinary actions were taken or are pending against the applicant and submitting proof to the Board that the applicant has fulfilled at least an average of 20 continuing education units in acupuncture or health care-related studies for each of the 10 years preceding application for licensure.

(5) Submit proof of successful completion of the Clean Needle Technique Course offered by the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

(6) Be of good moral character.

(7) Is not currently or has not engaged in any practice or conduct that would constitute grounds for disciplinary action pursuant to G.S. 90-456.

(8) Submit a form signed by the applicant attesting to the intention of the applicant to adhere fully to the ethical standards adopted by the Board.

(b) Renewal of License. - The license to practice acupuncture shall be renewed every two years. Upon submitting all required declarations, documents, and fees required by the Board for renewal, the applicant's license shall remain in good standing for a period of up to 120 days during which time the Board shall meet to review and act upon the application for renewal. To renew a license, an applicant shall:

(1) Submit a completed application as required by the Board.

(2) Submit any fees required by the Board.

(3) Upon request by the Board, submit proof of completion of 40 hours of Board-approved continuing education units within each renewal period.

(c) Inactive License. - A licensed acupuncturist who is not actively engaged in the practice of acupuncture in this State and who does not wish to renew the license may direct the Board to place the license on inactive status. A license may remain on inactive status for a period not to exceed eight years from the date the license was placed on inactive status. Upon an applicant's proof of completion of 40 hours of Board-approved continuing education units, payment of all fees, a determination by the Board that the applicant is not engaged in any prohibited activities that would constitute the basis for discipline as set forth in G.S. 90-456, and has not engaged in any of those prohibited activities during the period of time the license has been on inactive status, the Board may activate the license of the applicant.

(d) Suspended License. - A suspended license is subject to the renewal requirements of this section and may be renewed as provided in this section. This renewal does not entitle the licensed person to engage in the licensed activity or in any other conduct or activity in violation of the order or judgment by which the license was suspended, until the license is reinstated. If a license revoked on disciplinary grounds is reinstated and requires renewal, the licensed person shall pay the renewal fee and any applicable late fee.

(e) Expired License. - A license that has expired as a result of failure to renew pursuant to subsection (b) of this section may be renewed no later than two years after its expiration. The date of renewal shall be the date the Board acts to approve the renewal. To apply for renewal of an expired license, the applicant shall:

(1) File an application for renewal on a form provided by the Board.

(2) Submit proof of completion of all continuing education requirements.

(3) Pay all accrued renewal fees, along with an expired license fee.

(f) Lapsed License. - A license that has lapsed as a result of not being renewed within two years after the license expired or not reactivated within eight years after the license lapsed is deemed inactive. A lapsed license may not be renewed, reactivated, or reinstated. A person with a lapsed license may apply to obtain a new license pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. (1993, c. 303, s. 1; 2005-379, s. 2.)