The Department may investigate the actions of any applicant or of any person or persons holding or claiming to hold a license under this Act. The Department shall, before suspending, revoking, placing on probationary status, or taking any other disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper with regard to any license, at least 30 days prior to the date set for the hearing, notify the applicant or licensee in writing of any charges made and the time and place for a hearing of the charges, direct him or her to file his or her written answer under oath within 20 days after the service and inform the applicant or licensee that failure to answer will result in a default being entered against the applicant or licensee. As a result of the default, such may be suspended, revoked, placed on probationary status, or have other disciplinary action, including limiting the scope, nature or extent of his or her practice, as the Department may deem proper taken with regard thereto. Written or electronic notice may be served by personal delivery, email, or mail to the applicant or licensee at his or her address of record or email address of record. At the time and place fixed in the notice, the Department shall proceed to hear the charges and the parties or their counsel shall be accorded ample opportunity to present such statements, testimony, evidence, and argument as may be pertinent to the charges or to the defense thereto. The Department may continue such hearing from time to time. In case the applicant or licensee, after receiving notice, fails to file an answer, his or her license 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, including limiting the scope, nature, or extent of such person’s practice, without a hearing, if the act or acts charged constitute sufficient grounds for such action under this Act.