(a) In addition to the provisions of this act, the director is empowered to suspend or revoke the license or any licenses of any person, licensed under the provisions of R.S. 54:39-1, et seq. No such license or licenses shall be suspended or revoked except upon notice to the licensee and after a hearing as prescribed by said director. The said director, upon a finding by him that the licensee has failed to comply with any provision of this act or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder, shall, in the case of the first offender, suspend the license or licenses of the said licensee for a period of not less than five nor more than twenty consecutive business days, and, in the case of a second or plural offender, shall suspend said license or licenses for a period of not less than twenty consecutive business days nor more than twelve months, and, in the event said director finds the offender has been guilty of willful and persistent violations, he may revoke said person’s license or licenses.

(b) Any person whose license or licenses have been so revoked may apply to the director at the expiration of one year for a reinstatement of his license or licenses. Such license or licenses may be reinstated by the director if it shall appear to the satisfaction of said director that the licensee will comply with the provisions of this act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

L.1953, c. 413, p. 2075, s. 8.