65-6614. Licensure; expiration and renewal; continuing education; reinstatement of suspended or revoked license; notice of change of address. (a) An applicant who meets the requirements for licensure pursuant to this act, has paid the license fee provided for by K.S.A. 65-6618, and amendments thereto, and has otherwise complied with the provisions of this act shall be licensed by the board.

(b) Licenses issued pursuant to this act shall expire 24 months from the date of issuance unless revoked prior to that time. A license may be renewed upon application and payment of the fee provided for by K.S.A. 65-6618, and amendments thereto. The application for renewal shall be accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant has completed during the previous 24 months the continuing education required by rules and regulations of the board, including not less than three hours in ethics. Prior to July 1, 2025, as part of such continuing education, the master's addiction counselor applicant and the clinical addiction counselor applicant shall complete not less than six continuing education hours relating to diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders. On and after July 1, 2025, as part of such continuing education, a master's addiction counselor applicant or clinical addiction counselor applicant shall complete not less than three continuing education hours relating to diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders.

(c) (1) A licensee who is unable to complete the required continuing education hours for renewal may request additional time to complete any remaining continuing education hours. Such request shall be made to the board not later than 30 calendar days prior to the expiration of the license and shall include:

(A) The licensee's reason for requesting additional time, showing extenuating circumstances for why the hours could not be completed during the license period; and

(B) a plan outlining the manner in which the licensee intends to complete the remaining continuing education hours.

(2) The board may grant a licensee up to three additional months beyond the license expiration date to complete the required continuing education hours.

(3) A licensee who receives additional time to complete continuing education hours under this subsection shall:

(A) Renew the license prior to the license expiration date and report to the board the number of continuing education hours completed on such date;

(B) notify the board upon completing the remaining continuing education hours; and

(C) be subject to an audit by the board of the total number of continuing education hours completed for the applicable license period.

(4) Continuing education hours completed during additional time granted under this subsection shall be credited only toward the requirements for the license period for which additional time is granted.

(5) A licensee shall not be approved for additional time to complete continuing education requirements in consecutive license periods.

(d) A person whose license has been suspended or revoked may make written application to the board requesting reinstatement of the license upon termination of the period of suspension or revocation in a manner prescribed by the board, which application shall be accompanied by the fee provided for by K.S.A. 65-6618, and amendments thereto.

(e) (1) A person whose license has expired may make written application to the board requesting reinstatement of the license in a manner prescribed by the board, and such application shall be accompanied by:

(A) The renewal fee established under K.S.A. 65-6618, and amendments thereto, and, for any person whose license has been expired for one year or less, an additional fee equal to the renewal fee; and

(B) evidence satisfactory to the board that the person has completed during the previous 24 months the continuing education requirements for one license period.

(2) A person requesting to reinstate a license that has been expired for longer than one year who has not completed the necessary continuing education hours for reinstatement may submit an application for a six-month reinstatement temporary license in a manner prescribed by the board, and such application shall be accompanied by the fee established under K.S.A. 65-6618, and amendments thereto. A licensee practicing under a six-month reinstatement temporary license shall complete the continuing education requirements required for a permanent license prior to the expiration of the temporary license and notify the board upon such completion. A six-month reinstatement temporary license shall not be extended or renewed.

(f) Within 30 days after any change of permanent address, a licensee shall notify the board of such change.

History: L. 2010, ch. 45, § 8; L. 2011, ch. 114, § 14; L. 2016, ch. 92, § 58; L. 2023, ch. 90, § 25; July 1.