Section 5-8 - Upgrade or Downgrade of a License (a) For the purposes of this chapter the following definitions shall apply: - (i) An "upgrade" to a license shall be the issuance of a license allowing a scope of practice greater than that of the license already held by an applicant.
- (ii) A "downgrade" to a license shall be the issuance of a license allowing a scope of practice more limited than that of the license already held by an applicant.
(b) Upgrading a license. - (i) An applicant for the upgrade of a license shall meet all requirements for the requested level under this chapter.
- (ii) If the applicant completed a course of education required for an upgrade during the renewal cycle of their current license, the applicant will be considered to have met the continuing education renewal requirements for the upgraded level for that period. The Division shall issue the upgraded license with an expiration date matching the expiration date of the applicant's current license, and upon application for renewal, issue a new license at the upgraded level if all other renewal requirements have been met.
(c) Downgrading a license. - (i) A license holder under this chapter may request the downgrade of a license from the Division. Applicants for a downgraded license shall not be the subject of any current investigations or be under any administrative actions by the division.
- (ii) The Division shall issue the requested license with an expiration matching the expiration date of the current license.
- (iii) A downgraded license issued under the provisions of this section shall not be considered a punitive action under these rules.