193C—3.4(542B) Renewal applications.
	3.4(1) Expiration dates. Certificates of licensure expire biennially on December 31. Certificates that were initially issued in even-numbered years expire in odd-numbered years and certificates that were initially issued in odd-numbered years expire in even-numbered years. In order to maintain authorization to practice engineering or land surveying in Iowa, licensees are required to renew their certificates of licensure on or prior to the expiration date. A licensee who fails to renew prior to the date the certificate expires shall not be authorized to practice in Iowa unless the certificate is reinstated as provided in these rules. However, the board will accept an otherwise sufficient renewal application which is untimely if the board receives the application and late fee within 30 days of the date of expiration.
	3.4(2) Renewal notification. The board typically mails a renewal notification to a licensee’s last-known address at least one month prior to the license expiration date. Neither the board’s failure to mail a renewal notification nor the licensee’s failure to receive a renewal notification shall affect in any way the licensee’s duty to timely renew if the licensee intends to continue practicing in Iowa. Licensees need to contact the board office if they do not receive a renewal notification prior to the expiration date.
	3.4(3) Renewal process. Upon receipt of a timely and sufficient renewal application, with the proper fee, the board’s executive secretary shall issue a new license reflecting the next expiration date, unless grounds exist for denial of the application.
	3.4(4) Notification of expiration. The board shall notify licensees whose certificates of licensure have expired. The failure of the board to provide this courtesy notification, or the failure of the licensee to receive the courtesy notification, shall not extend the date of expiration.
	3.4(5) Sanction for practicing after license expiration. A licensee who continues to practice in Iowa after the license has expired shall be subject to disciplinary action. Such unauthorized activity may also provide grounds to deny a licensee’s application to reinstate.
	3.4(6) Timely and sufficient renewal application. Within the meaning of Iowa Code section 17A.18(2), a timely and sufficient renewal application shall be:
	a. 	Received by the board through the online renewal process;
	b. 	Fully completed; and
	c. 	Accompanied by the proper fee. The fee shall be deemed improper if, for instance, the amount is incorrect, the fee was not included with the application, the credit card number provided by the applicant is incorrect, the date of expiration of a credit card is left off the application or is incorrect, the attempted credit card transaction is rejected, or the applicant’s check is returned for insufficient funds.
	3.4(7) Responsibility for accuracy of renewal application. The licensee is responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information submitted on the renewal application regardless of how the application is submitted or by whom it is submitted. For instance, if the office manager of a licensee’s firm submits an application for renewal on behalf of the licensee and that information is incorrect, the licensee will be held responsible for the information and may be subject to disciplinary action.
	3.4(8) Denial of renewal application. If the board, upon receipt of a timely, complete and sufficient application to renew a certificate of licensure, accompanied by the proper fee, denies the application, the executive secretary shall send written notice to the applicant by restricted, certified mail, return receipt requested, identifying the basis for denial. Grounds may exist to deny an application to renew a license if, for instance, the licensee has failed to satisfy the continuing education required as a condition for licensure. If the basis for the denial is a pending disciplinary action or a disciplinary investigation which is reasonably expected to culminate in a formal disciplinary action, the board shall utilize the procedures applicable to disciplinary actions, including the initiation of a contested case. If the basis for denial is not related to a pending or imminent disciplinary action, the applicant may contest the board’s decision as provided in 193—7.40(546,272C).
	3.4(9) Continuing education requirement. A licensee who does not satisfy the continuing education requirements for licensure renewal will be denied renewal of licensure in accordance with subrule 3.4(8).
	3.4(10) Consent order option. When a licensee appears to be in violation of mandatory continuing education requirements of 193C—Chapter 7, the board may, in lieu of proceeding to a contested case hearing on the denial of renewal as provided in uniform division rule 193—7.40(546,272C), offer the licensee the opportunity to sign a consent order. While the terms of a consent order will be tailored to the specific circumstances at issue, the consent order will typically impose a penalty between $50 and $250, depending on the severity of the violation, and establish deadlines for compliance, and the consent order may impose additional educational requirements upon the licensee. A licensee is free to accept or reject the offer. If the offer of settlement is accepted, the licensee will be issued a renewed certificate of licensure and, if the terms of the consent order are not complied with, will be subject to disciplinary action. If the offer of settlement is rejected, the matter will be set for hearing, if timely requested by the applicant pursuant to uniform division rule 193—7.40(546,272C).
	3.4(11) Inactive status. Licensees who are not engaged in engineering or land surveying practices that require licensure in Iowa may be granted inactive status. No inactive licensee may practice in Iowa unless otherwise exempted in Iowa Code chapter 542B.
[ARC 5953C, IAB 10/6/21, effective 11/10/21]