(a) Any person who practices, offers to practice, attempts to practice, or holds himself or herself out to practice massage therapy or as a massage therapist without being licensed under this Act, or any person not licensed under this Act who aids, abets, assists, procures, advises, employs, or contracts with any unlicensed person to practice massage therapy contrary to any rules or provisions of this Act, shall, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, pay a civil penalty to the Department in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for each violation of this Act as determined by the Department. The civil penalty shall be assessed by the Department after a hearing is held in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Act regarding the provision of a hearing for the discipline of a licensee.
     (b) The Department has the authority and power to investigate any unlicensed activity.
     (c) The civil penalty shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the civil penalty. The order shall constitute a judgment and may be filed and execution had thereon in the same manner as any judgment from any court of record.
     (d) All moneys collected under this Section shall be deposited into the General Professions Dedicated Fund.