Accreditation-based Licenses. The following shall apply for programs that are required by law and this chapter to be accredited to be licensed: A program may not operate on or after April 1, 2018 without a license; To be licensed on or before April 1, 2018, a program shall submit a completed and accurate application to the Department’s designated approval unit before January 1, 2018; An accreditation-based license may be issued on or after, and not before, January 1, 2017; The Department’s designated approval unit shall begin accepting applications for accreditation-based licenses on October 1, 2016; As of October 1, 2016, applications for an accreditation-based license shall include evidence that the program is accredited by an approved accreditation organization; The Department’s designated approval unit may not accept an application for initial certification or approval under COMAR Title 10, Subtitles 21 or 47 after September 30, 2016; A program with a certification or approval under COMAR Title 10, Subtitles 21 or 47: May apply for renewal of the certification or approval before January 1, 2018; If eligible for renewal, shall receive a certification or approval, valid until April 1, 2018; and May not operate under the certification or approval after March 31, 2018. A program that is certified or approved based on deemed status in accordance with COMAR 10.21.16.10 or COMAR 10.47.04.05 shall receive a license, which shall be effective during the current accreditation period; and If the Department’s designated approval unit cannot issue a license by April 1, 2018 for a program that submits a completed, accurate application for a license before January 1, 2018, the Department’s designated approval unit shall extend the expiration date of the existing approval or certification to complete the license application process. Non-Accreditation-Based Licenses. The following shall apply for programs that are not required by law and this chapter to be accredited to be licensed: A program may not operate on or after April 1, 2018 without a license; A program that is certified or approved under COMAR Title 10, Subtitles 21 or 47, may operate under those subtitles until the expiration of the term of its current certification or approval, but not after March 31, 2018; The Department’s designated approval unit may not accept an application for initial certification or approval under COMAR Title 10, Subtitles 21 or 47, after September 30, 2016; A program with a current certification or approval under COMAR Title 10, Subtitles 21 or 47: May apply for renewal of the certification or approval under COMAR Title 10, Subtitles 21 or 47, before January 1, 2018; and May not operate after March 31, 2018 without a license. To be licensed on or before April 1, 2018, a program shall submit a completed and accurate application to the Department’s designated approval unit before January 1, 2018; A license may be issued on or after, and not before, January 1, 2017; and If the Department’s designated approval unit cannot issue a license by April 1, 2018 for a program that submits a completed accurate application for licensure before January 1, 2018, the Department’s designated approval unit shall extend that expiration date of the existing approval or certification to complete the license application process. Applicability Dates of Regulations. Current chapters of regulations under COMAR 10.21 and 10.47 shall remain in effect concurrently with the regulations in this chapter until April 1, 2018.