The Department may investigate the actions of any applicant or of any person or persons holding or claiming to hold a license or registration. Before suspending, revoking, placing on probationary status, or taking any other disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper with regard to any license or certificate, at least 30 days before the date set for the hearing, the Department shall (i) notify the accused in writing of any charges made and the time and place for a hearing of the charges before the Board, (ii) direct him or her to file a written answer to the charges with the Board under oath within 20 days after the service of the notice, and (iii) inform the accused that if he or she fails to file an answer default will be taken against him or her and his or her license or certificate may be suspended, revoked, placed on probationary status, or have other disciplinary action, including limiting the scope, nature or extent of business, as provided for in this Act. The written notice may be served by personal delivery, email to the respondent’s email address of record, or mail to the respondent’s address of record. At the time and place fixed in the notice, the Board shall proceed to hear the charges and the parties or their counsel shall be accorded ample opportunity to present any statements, testimony, evidence and argument that may be pertinent to the charges or to their defense. The hearing may be continued from time to time. In case the accused person, after receiving notice, fails to file an answer, his or her license or certificate may in the discretion of the Secretary, having received first the recommendation of the Board, be suspended, revoked, placed on probationary status, or the Secretary may take whatever disciplinary action as he or she may deem proper as provided in this Act, including limiting the scope, nature, or extent of the person’s practice, without a hearing, if the act or acts charged constitute sufficient grounds for such action under this Act.