(a) (1) In consultation with each board specified under § 2-106.9 of this subtitle, the Secretary shall annually calculate the direct and indirect costs attributable to each board.

(2) Each board shall establish fees based on the calculations provided by the Secretary under this section.

(3) Except for the examination fees under § 12-303(2)(i) of the Business Occupations and Professions Article, each fee established by an individual board may not be increased annually by more than 12.5% of the existing and corresponding fee of the board.

(b) In order to establish fees that more equitably distribute the costs associated with the operation of each board among similar boards, the Secretary may average the direct and indirect costs of one or more boards provided that the boards consent to having their direct and indirect costs averaged together.