(a) All certificates provided for herein shall be renewed annually, not later than December 31 of each year. All holders of certificates may be renewed annually, provided that the certified contractor has complied with all provisions of law and rules and regulations of the board thereof, upon payment of all fees set forth by the board as provided for in this chapter.

(b) Any person certified by the board may elect an inactive status certificate by notifying the board in writing. The fee for the issuance and renewal of an inactive status certificate shall be established by the board in an amount not to exceed one-half of the amount set for fees pursuant to Section 34-31-25.

(c) The board shall provide by rule or regulation those activities which an inactive status certificate holder may engage in, and for a procedure for the reinstatement as an active status certificate holder.

(d) The board shall adopt an annual program of continuing education for its certified contractors by January 1 of each year. All certified contractors shall be required to complete at least four hours of continuing education every year. In the event a contractor completes in excess of four hours continuing education in a calendar year, he or she may carry over four years to the following renewal year. This minimum continuing education requirement will begin during the calendar year 2001. All certified contractors will be required to complete the minimum continuing education requirements prior to renewal in all years beginning January 1, 2002.

(e) The failure to complete the minimum continuing education requirements shall prevent the renewal of the certified contractor's license until proof of compliance with the continuing education requirement is submitted to the board. The board may permit a certified contractor to submit a deficiency plan to the board for approval by January 1 of each year for medical hardships and emergencies that prevent the certified contractor from complying with the continuing education requirements on time. This deficiency plan shall be specific in describing the plan for full compliance with the continuing education requirement and shall be accompanied by a deficiency plan fee established by the board.

(f) The board shall adopt rules that prescribe the policies, procedures, and fees for obtaining board approval of the providers, courses, and instructors for the continuing education program.

(g) Any inactive contractor who is 65 years of age or older is exempt from continuing education requirements.

(h) A contractor is exempt from completing continuing education requirements during the first year he or she receives his or her certification with the board.