If the certificate or license has expired for two years, what is the proper renewal process?

• A. Not renew the certificate or license; restart the process
• B. Renew by paying the renewal fee
• C. Renew by paying all unpaid renewal fees
• D. Apply for a new certificate

Answer: (A)

When a certificate or license has been expired for two years, it’s treated as a lapse that cannot be renewed through the standard renewal process. The proper path is to re-enter the licensing process as if you were a new applicant, which means submitting a fresh application, meeting the current eligibility requirements, paying the applicable fees, and potentially retaking exams or completing any up-to-date continuing education. This is why restarting the process is the correct approach. Simply paying a renewal fee (or unpaid renewal fees) isn’t sufficient after a two-year lapse, and applying for a new certificate is effectively starting over but follows the same reapplication path.