(a) "Retirement" means the voluntary and permanent conclusion of a veterinary licensee's practice of veterinary medicine.     
      (b) A veterinarian may not retire his license if he is currently the subject of an open complaint investigation or a contested case.     
      (c) If a veterinary licensee retiring for the first time requests reinstatement of his license in the same renewal year in which he retired, the licensee must:      
        (1) pay the annual renewal fee plus a $25 administrative processing fee to reinstate the license; and       
        (2) comply with the following continuing education requirements:                  (A) If a retired veterinary licensee has maintained an annual average of 17 hours of approved continuing education, no additional continuing education hours will be required.                   (B) If a retired veterinary licensee has maintained an annual average of less than 17 hours of approved continuing education, the retired licensee must complete 34 hours of continuing education in the twelve months immediately following reinstatement.         
      (d) If a veterinary licensee has been retired for longer than one renewal period, the retired veterinary licensee may reinstate the license by:      
        (1) petitioning the Board in writing for reinstatement and completing an examination for reinstatement application with supporting documentation and fees; and       
        (2) submitting to reexamination and complying with all requirements for obtaining an original license. At the discretion of the Board, the petitioner may be required to take and pass the NAVLE prior to applying for and taking the SBE.       
      (e) By no later than 30 days before the end of the current renewal year in which a licensee's veterinary license is retired for the first time, the Board shall inform the retired veterinary licensee that he or she may:      
        (1) apply to reinstate the license in accordance with subsection (d) of this section; or       
        (2) remain in retired status.       
      (f) The retired veterinary licensee shall notify the Board of his or her decision by no later than the end of the current renewal year in which the licensee's veterinary license is retired for the first time.     
      (g) If the retired veterinary licensee decides to remain in retired status, he or she will no longer receive license renewal notices and will not be required to renew his or her retired veterinary license.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §571.54 adopted to be effective May 29, 2011, 36 TexReg 3187; amended to be effective June 19, 2012, 37 TexReg 4422; amended to be effective May 4, 2014, 39 TexReg 3422