Period to complete required practice in medically underserved area of State; petition for extension.

1. A person who receives a support fee because he or she agrees to practice in a profession in a medically underserved area of this State for at least 2 years pursuant to NRS 397.0617 must complete that practice within 5 years after the person completes or terminates the education, internship or residency for which he or she received the support fee unless an extension is granted pursuant to this section. 2. A person may apply for an extension of the period to complete his or her practice by submitting a petition to the commissioners in writing before the period for completion has expired. The petition must contain the reasons for requesting the extension. 3. The commissioners will grant an extension for good cause, including, without limitation: (a) Military service; (b) Service in the Peace Corps or the AmeriCorps VISTA program; (c) Participation in the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program; (d) Continuation of education in the petitioner’s field of study or specialization; (e) Interruption of study due to financial hardship; (f) Illness; (g) Failure to fulfill any professional licensing requirement; or (h) Any other circumstance deemed appropriate by the commissioners. 4. An extension granted pursuant to paragraph (g) of subsection 3 must be for not longer than 2 years after the date on which the first professional examination was administered after the graduation of the petitioner from the program for which he or she received a support fee, except that the person may apply for an additional extension for good cause. Any additional extension must be for not longer than 2 years after the expiration of the prior extension. 5. If the commissioners deny a petition submitted pursuant to this section, the petitioner may appeal to the commissioners by submitting a request for an appeal in writing not later than 10 days after his or her receipt of the notice of denial.