(a) The department may issue a certificate pursuant to an initial or renewal application for certification as probationary, and the department may issue any other certificate as probationary pursuant to an enforcement action.

(b) A probationary certificate issued pursuant to this section shall be issued for a limited period of not more than two years. Before the end of the probationary period, the department shall issue a nonprobationary certificate, extend the probationary period for not more than one year, or, after notice to the probationary certificate holder, revoke the probationary certificate. Subsequent to the revocation, the former probationary certificate holder may request a hearing, which, notwithstanding, § 11445.20 of the Government Code, shall be conducted in the same form as a hearing for an applicant whose original application for certification is denied.

(c) If a hearing is requested pursuant to subdivision (b) and the party requesting the hearing fails to appear on the date scheduled, and does not notify the department at least five days prior to the hearing date that the party will not appear, the department may recover from the party all costs and fees incurred by the department, including attorneys’ and experts’ fees, and any other cost associated with preparing for, or conducting, the hearing.

(d) If conditions are imposed on the certificate holder as part of a disciplinary proceeding conducted pursuant to Section 14591.2, the certificate shall be considered probationary. If, at any time, the certificate holder violates any term or condition of the probationary certificate, the certificate may be revoked or suspended, after three days’ notice, without any further hearing by the department.

(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 874, Sec. 5. Effective October 14, 2001.)