(a) General application requirements—(1) Requirements and license application. Any person producing or intending to produce hemp must have a valid license prior to producing, cultivating, or storing hemp. A valid license means the license is unexpired, unsuspended, and unrevoked.

(2) Application window. Applicants may submit an application for a new license to USDA between December 2, 2019 and November 2, 2020. In subsequent years, applicants may submit an application for a new license or renewal of an existing license to USDA from August 1 through October 31 of each year.

(3) Required information on application. The applicant shall provide the information requested on the application form, including:

(i) Contact information. Full name, residential address, telephone number and email address. If the applicant is a business entity, the full name of the business, the principal business location address, full name and title of the key participants, title, email address (if available) and employer identification number (EIN) of the business; and

(ii) Criminal history report. A current criminal history report for all key participants dated within 60 days prior to the application submission date. A license application will not be considered complete without all required criminal history reports.

(4) Submission of completed application forms. Completed application forms shall be submitted to USDA.

(5) Incomplete application procedures. Applications missing required information shall be returned to the applicant as incomplete. The applicant may resubmit a completed application.

(6) License expiration. USDA-issued hemp producer licenses shall be valid until December 31 of the year three years after the year in which license was issued.

(b) License renewals. USDA hemp producer licenses must be renewed prior to license expiration. Licenses are not automatically renewed. Applications for renewal shall be subject to the same terms, information collection requirements, and approval criteria as provided in this subpart for initial applications unless there has been an amendment to the regulations in this part or the law since approval of the initial or last application.

(c) License modification. A license modification is required if there is any change to the information submitted in the application including, but not limited to, sale of a business, the production, handling, or storage of hemp in a new location, or a change in the key participants producing under a license.