(1) If the board determines that an applicant or licensee possesses the qualifications for licensure required under Title 37, chapter 3, MCA, the board may instruct the department to issue licenses in the following categories:

(a) active license;

(b) inactive license; or

(c) inactive-retired license.

(2) An active license is required for a physician actively practicing medicine in this state at any time during the renewal period.

(a) As used in this rule, "renewal period" means:

(i) for even numbered licenses, the one-year period from the renewal date as listed in ARM 24.101.413 of a given year through the day immediately prior to the renewal date of the following year;

(ii) for odd numbered licenses, the two-year period from the renewal date as listed in ARM 24.101.413 of a given year through the day immediately prior to the renewal date of the two-year cycle.

(b) The term "actively practicing medicine" means the exercise of any activity or process identified in 37-3-102(6), MCA.

(c) Beginning with the 2007 renewal cycle, one-half of the licensees will renew for a period of one year. An active license must be renewed as follows:

(i) licensees with an even numbered license will renew for a one-year period; and

(ii) licensees with an odd numbered license will renew for a two-year period.

(3) An inactive license may be obtained by a physician who is not actively practicing medicine in this state, and does not intend to actively practice medicine in this state at any time during the current renewal period, but may wish to reactivate in the future.

(a) Beginning with the 2007 renewal cycle, one-half of the licensees will renew for a period of one year. An inactive license must be renewed by the renewal date set by the department in ARM 24.101.413 as follows:

(i) licensees with an even numbered license will renew for a one-year period; and

(ii) licensees with an odd numbered license will renew for a two-year period.

(b) To renew a license on inactive status, a physician must pay a fee prescribed by the board, and complete the renewal prior to the date set by ARM 24.101.413.

(4) An inactive-retired license may be obtained by an applicant or licensed physician who is not actively practicing medicine in this state and does not intend ever to practice medicine in this state in the future.

(a) Beginning with the 2007 renewal cycle, one-half of the licensees will renew for a period of one year. An inactive-retired license must be renewed by the renewal date set in ARM 24.101.413 as follows:

(i) licensees with an even numbered license will renew for a one-year period; and

(ii) licensees with an odd numbered license will renew for a two-year period.

(b) If both the renewal fee and completed renewal are not returned prior to the date specified in ARM 24.101.413, the physician must pay the late penalty fee specified in ARM 24.101.403 in order to renew the license.