The Department may investigate the actions of an applicant or a person or persons holding or claiming to hold a license. Before refusing to issue, refusing to renew, or taking any disciplinary action regarding a license, the Department shall, at least 30 days before the date set for the hearing, notify in writing the applicant for, or holder of, a license of the nature of any charges and that a hearing will be held on a date designated. The Department shall direct the applicant or licensee to file a written answer with the Board under oath within 20 days after the service of the notice and inform the applicant or licensee that failure to file an answer shall result in default being taken against the applicant or licensee and that the license may be suspended, revoked, or placed on probationary status, or that other disciplinary action may be taken, including limiting the scope, nature, or extent of practice, as the Secretary may consider proper. Written notice may be served by personal delivery, mail, or email to the applicant or licensee at his or her address of record or email address of record. If the person fails to file an answer after receiving notice, his or her license or certificate may, in the discretion of the Department, be suspended, revoked, or placed on probationary status or the Department may take any disciplinary action considered proper, including limiting the scope, nature, or extent of the person’s practice or the imposition of a fine, without a hearing, if the act or acts charged constitute sufficient grounds for such action under this Act. 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 statements, testimony, evidence, and arguments as may be pertinent to the charges or to their defense. The Board may continue a hearing from time to time.