In any investigation, proceeding or hearing he is empowered to institute, conduct or hold under this chapter, the registrar, a deputy registrar, an assistant, an administrative law judge or an investigator may administer oaths, certify to official acts, issue subpoenas for attendance of witnesses and production of books, papers and records, and exercise the same powers in this regard as conferred upon the corporation commissioners and public officers by the provisions of section 40-244 and section 12-2212. All the provisions of such sections are incorporated into this section with the same force and effect as if herein set forth at length, and wherever in such sections the term "commission" or "commissioners" or similar designation occurs, it shall, for the purpose of this reference mean the "registrar of contractors."