(a)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, any licensee or registrant of any board, commission, or bureau within the department whose license expired while the licensee or registrant was on active duty as a member of the California National Guard or the United States Armed Forces, may, upon application, reinstate his or her license or registration without examination or penalty, provided that all of the following requirements are satisfied:
(1)
His or her license or registration was valid at the time he or she entered the California National Guard or the United States Armed Forces.
(2)
The application for reinstatement is made while serving in the
California National Guard or the United States Armed Forces, or not later than one year from the date of discharge from active service or return to inactive military status.
(3)
The application for reinstatement is accompanied by an affidavit showing the date of entrance into the service, whether still in the service, or date of discharge, and the renewal fee for the current renewal period in which the application is filed is paid.
(b)
If application for reinstatement is filed more than one year after discharge or return to inactive status, the applicant, in the discretion of the licensing agency, may be required to pass an examination.
(c)
If application for reinstatement is filed and the licensing agency determines that the applicant has not actively engaged in the practice of his or her profession while on active
duty, then the licensing agency may require the applicant to pass an examination.
(d)
Unless otherwise specifically provided in this code, any licensee or registrant who, either part time or full time, practices in this state the profession or vocation for which he or she is licensed or registered shall be required to maintain his or her license in good standing even though he or she is in military service.
For the purposes in this section, time spent by a licensee in receiving treatment or hospitalization in any veterans’ facility during which he or she is prevented from practicing his or her profession or vocation shall be excluded from said period of one year.