(a) Licenses issued under this Article shall be subject to annual renewal upon completion of continuing education and competency requirements as may be required by the Board, upon the payment of a renewal fee specified under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-270.77 and in compliance with this Article, and shall expire unless renewed in the manner prescribed by the Board. The Board may provide for the late renewal of a license upon the payment of a late fee in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-270.77, but no such late renewal may be granted more than five years after a license expires.

(b) A suspended license is subject to expiration and may be renewed as provided in this section, but such renewal shall not entitle the licensee 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, the licensee shall pay the renewal fee and any late fee that may be applicable. (1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1073, s. 1; 1989, c. 256, s. 3; 2005-432, s. 10.)