In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Active service member” has the meaning stated in § 9–901 of the State Government Article. “Eligible spouse” means the spouse of an active service member or eligible veteran. “Eligible spouse” includes a surviving spouse of: An eligible veteran; or An active service member who died before the date on which the application for a license, certificate, or registration is submitted. “Eligible veteran” means a veteran who was discharged from active duty before the date on which the application for a license, certificate, or registration is submitted. “Health occupations board” means a board authorized to issue a license, certificate, or registration under this article.

In calculating an individual’s years of practice in a health occupation, each health occupations board shall give credit to the individual for all relevant experience as an active service member. Each health occupations board shall credit any training and education provided by the uniformed services and completed by an active service member toward any training or education requirements for licensure, certification, or registration if the training or education is determined by the health occupations board to be: Substantially equivalent to the training or education required by the health occupations board; and Not otherwise contrary to any other licensing requirement.

A health occupations board may allow a licensee or certificate holder who is a member of one of the uniformed services deployed outside the United States or its territories to: Renew the license or certificate after the expiration of the renewal period without payment of a penalty or reinstatement fee if the late renewal is a direct result of the deployment; and Complete any continuing education or continuing competency requirements or criminal history records check required for renewal within a reasonable time after renewing the license or certificate.

Each health occupations board shall develop a procedure by which an individual who applies for a license, certificate, or registration can notify the board that the individual is an active service member, eligible veteran, or eligible spouse. A health occupations board may satisfy the requirement of paragraph (1) of this subsection by including a check–off box on a license, certificate, or registration application form. For each applicant who is an active service member, eligible veteran, or eligible spouse, a health occupations board shall assign to the applicant an advisor to assist the individual with the application process. Each health occupations board shall expedite the process for the licensure, certification, or registration of an active service member, eligible veteran, or eligible spouse. If an active service member, eligible veteran, or eligible spouse meets the requirements for licensure, certification, or registration, a health occupations board shall issue the license, certificate, or registration within 15 business days after receiving a completed application. If a health occupations board determines that an active service member, eligible veteran, or eligible spouse does not meet the education, training, or experience requirements for licensure, certification, or registration, a representative of the board shall assist the active service member, eligible veteran, or eligible spouse in identifying: Programs that offer relevant education or training; or Ways of obtaining needed experience. An individual authorized to practice in the State under § 10–14B–03 of the State Government Article may not be required to apply for expedited licensure under this section to practice in the State.

Each health occupations board shall publish prominently on its website information on: The expedited licensing process available to active service members, eligible veterans, and eligible spouses under § 1–704 of this subtitle; and Any assistance and services related to licensure, certification, or registration provided by the board to active service members, eligible veterans, and eligible spouses.

Each health occupations board may adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle.

Each health occupations board may establish a process to include a notation indicating veteran status on a license, certificate, registration, or public profile. If a health occupations board establishes the process described in subsection (a) of this section, an application for a license, certificate, or registration shall allow an applicant to: Present a certification of veteran status obtained from the Department of Veterans and Military Families in accordance with § 9–905 of the State Government Article, a DD Form 214, or other documentation acceptable to the health occupations board certifying veteran status; and Indicate that the applicant consents to: Having a notation on the applicant’s license, certificate, registration, or public profile indicating that the applicant is a veteran; and Being contacted by appropriate Executive Branch agencies regarding the applicant’s eligibility for State or federal veterans benefits. If an applicant presents the required documentation and consents in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, a health occupations board shall: Include on the applicant’s license, certification, registration, or public profile a notation indicating that the applicant is a veteran; and In accordance with §§ 4–304 through 4–325 of the General Provisions Article and any other applicable law, and on request from an Executive Branch agency, electronically transmit to the Executive Branch agency appropriate information about the applicant. Each health occupations board may adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.