(1) Any person who holds a professional license issued pursuant to this article may choose to convert the professional license to inactive status by notifying the department of education in writing and simultaneously transferring, either in person or by first-class mail, the professional license to the department of education. While on inactive status, the expiration date of a professional license shall be suspended. When the professional license is returned to active status, it shall be valid for the period remaining on the license as of the date the license holder assumed inactive professional license status. While on inactive professional license status, the person shall be deemed to not hold a professional license.

(2) (a) A person may return a professional license to active status at any time by notifying the department of education in writing, either in person or by first-class mail, and simultaneously requesting the return of his or her professional license from the department of education. Upon receipt of notice to return to active status, the department of education shall reissue the professional license with a new expiration date reflecting the period remaining on the professional license as of the date the license holder converted to inactive professional license status. The department shall return the reissued license to the license holder within thirty days after receiving notice to return to active status. Upon receipt of the professional license, the license holder shall resume active status.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection (2), if a person converts his or her professional license to inactive status because the person is called into the active military service of the United States or the state of Colorado, when the person notifies the department of education of his or her intent to return the professional license to active status, the person may include with the notice a copy of the official notice of honorable discharge or release from active service. Upon receipt of the notice to return to active status and the evidence of honorable discharge or release, the department of education shall reissue the professional license with a new expiration date reflecting a period equal to the period remaining on the professional license as of the date the license holder converted to inactive professional license status plus the period during which the person was in active military service.

(3) Any person who is on inactive status pursuant to this section may, but is not required to, complete professional development activities while on inactive status. Any professional development activities completed while on inactive status shall apply to renewal of the person's professional license after the person returns to active status, so long as:

(a) The person submits to the department of education evidence of completion of the professional development activities;

(b) The professional development activities meet the criteria specified by the state board of education pursuant to section 22-60.5-110 (3); and

(c) The professional development activities are completed within the five years preceding the date on which the professional license will expire after it is returned to active status.