(a) If an applicant for licensure has not been previously licensed, or if the home health agency, home services agency, or home nursing agency is not in operation at the time application is made, the Department may issue a provisional license. A provisional license shall be valid for a period of 240 days unless sooner suspended or revoked pursuant to Section 9 of this Act. Within 30 days prior to the termination of a provisional license, the Department shall inspect the agency and, if the applicant substantially meets the requirements for licensure, it shall issue a license under this Section. If the Department finds that a holder of a provisional license does not substantially meet the requirements for licensure, but has made significant progress toward meeting those requirements, the Director may renew the provisional license once for a period not to exceed 90 days from the expiration date of the initial provisional license.
     (b)(1) The Director may also issue a provisional license to any licensed agency which does not substantially comply with the provisions of this Act and the rules promulgated hereunder, provided he finds that the health, safety, and well-being of the clients of the agency will be protected during the period for which such provisional license is issued. The term of such provisional license shall not exceed 120 days.
     (2) The Director shall advise the licensee of the conditions under which such provisional license is issued, including the manner in which the licensee fails to comply with the provisions of the Act or rules, and the time within which the corrections necessary for the agency to substantially comply with the Act and rules shall be completed.
     (3) The Director, at his discretion, may extend the term of such provisional license for an additional 120 days, if he finds that the agency has made substantial progress toward correcting the violations and bringing the agency into full compliance with this Act and the rules promulgated hereunder.
     (c) A 2-year license shall be issued to any person conducting or maintaining a home health agency upon receipt of an application and payment of the licensure fee, and when the other requirements of this Act, and the standards, rules and regulations promulgated hereunder, are met. The fee for each single home health agency license or any renewal shall be $1,500.
     (d) The Department shall establish, by rule, a system whereby an entity that meets the requirements for licensure may obtain licensure singly or in any combination for the categories authorized under this Act. Applicants for multiple licenses under this system shall pay the applicable license fees for each license. Fees collected under this system shall be deposited into the Home Care Services Agency Licensure Fund.