Renewal of license

(a) A person who is engaged in the practice of dealing in or fitting of hearing aids shall renew his license annually upon payment of the prescribed renewal fee. A thirty-day period shall be allowed after expiration of a license during which any such license may be renewed upon payment of the renewal fee plus a penalty for late filing. After the expiration of such thirty-day period, the board may renew such license upon payment of twice the prescribed renewal fee. No person who applies for renewal, whose license was suspended for failure to renew, may be required to submit to any examination as a condition of renewal if application is made within two years following the date such license was so suspended. (b) In each even numbered year beginning with the year one thousand nine hundred eighty-eight, each applicant for renewal of license shall present to the board evidence of continuing study and education of not less than twenty hours in a course of study approved by the board. Such twenty hours of instruction must have been gained during the immediately preceding two years.