The Department may investigate the actions of any applicant, corporation, partnership, trust, association or other entity, or any person holding or claiming to hold a license. The Department shall, before refusing to issue a license or disciplining a registrant or a corporation, partnership, trust, association or other entity, notify, in writing, at least 10 days prior to the date set for the hearing, the applicant for, or holder of, a license, or corporation, partnership, trust, association or other entity. The notification shall set forth the charges against the person, corporation, partnership, trust, association, or other entity which form the basis for the refusal to issue a license or the disciplinary action taken. If the person, corporation, partnership, trust, association, or other entity desires to contest any Department action under this Section he, she or the corporation, partnership, trust, association, or other entity shall send a written request for a hearing to the Department within 10 days of receipt of notice of the Department’s action. If timely requested by the person or the corporation, partnership, trust, association, or other entity, the date of the hearing shall be set by the Department. The hearing shall determine whether the applicant or licensee is entitled to hold such license, and shall afford such person an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel. A hearing shall also determine whether a corporation, partnership, trust, association, or other entity is subject to disciplinary action, and shall afford such entities an opportunity to be heard by their representative or by counsel. Such written notice may be served by certified or registered mail to the respondent at its last known address. Upon receipt of a request in writing for a hearing, a duly qualified employee of the Department designated in writing by the Director and approved by the Board as a hearing officer shall conduct a hearing to review the decision. Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given to the person or corporation, partnership, trust, association, or other entity at least 10 days prior to the date set for the hearing. At the time and place fixed in the notice, the hearing officer shall hear the charges and the parties shall be accorded opportunity to present such statements, testimony and evidence as may be pertinent to the charges or defenses. The hearing officer may continue such hearing from time to time. Pursuant to rule, the Director may conduct informal hearings, and shall so inform the Board. The Director, Board or hearing officer may compel, by subpoena, the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books and papers and may administer oaths.