Section 851.28 - Professional Geoscientist License Renewal and Reinstatement(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.22 Tex. Admin. Code § 851.28
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 5737; amended by Texas Register, Volume 39, Number 49, December 5, 2014, TexReg 9547, eff. 12/11/2014; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 43, Number 43, October 26, 2018, TexReg 7143, eff. 10/31/2018; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 47, Number 08, February 25, 2022, TexReg 0949, eff. 3/6/2022