What must happen for a voluntary surrender to be effective?

For a voluntary surrender to be effective, it must be accepted by the board. This acceptance is crucial because it signifies that the board acknowledges the surrender and formally agrees to it. Without the board's acceptance, the surrender may not take legal effect, and the individual may still be held responsible for their licensure status. This emphasizes the board’s role in overseeing and validating such actions, ensuring that they have the authority to accept and process surrenders appropriately.

The other choices fall short because merely submitting the surrender in person does not guarantee its acceptance, and public announcements or following a disciplinary hearing are not prerequisites for a valid voluntary surrender. The essential factor is the board's acceptance, which legitimizes the process and provides a clear conclusion to the matter at hand.