(1) The department may issue a youth foster home, kinship foster home, or therapeutic foster home license to any license applicant that the department determines meets all licensing requirements established by these rules. The initial license will expire one year from the date it is issued unless it is extended up to an additional 60 days pursuant to (4).

(2) The department may renew a youth foster home or kinship home license biennially on the expiration date of the initial year′s license if:

(a) the foster parents apply for renewal of the foster home license on a form available on the department's website prior to the expiration date of the current license; and

(b) following completion of a relicensing study, the department determines that the foster home continues to meet all licensing requirements established by these rules.

(3) The department may renew therapeutic foster care licenses annually on the expiration date of the previous year's license if:

(a) the foster parents apply for renewal of the foster home license on a form available on the department's website prior to the expiration date of the current license; and

(b) following completion of a relicensing study, the department determines that the foster home continues to meet all licensing requirements established by these rules.

(4) If the foster parent submits a completed application packet for renewal of a license prior to the expiration of the license and the department is unable to complete the relicensing study before the expiration of the license, and makes a determination that the home is in compliance with the licensing requirements before the expiration date of the previous year's license, the previous year's license will continue in effect for no more than 60 days while the department completes the relicensing study.