No license shall be suspended, revoked, denied, placed on probation, or renewal thereof refused, until a written notice of the complaint made has been furnished to the licensee against whom the same is directed, and a hearing thereon has been had before the Commissioner, or a person designated by him. At least 10 days’ written notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given to the licensee by certified mail with return receipt requested to the licensee’s last known address as shown on the licensee’s license or other record of information in possession of the Division. At any such hearing, the licensee shall have the right to be heard personally or by counsel. After hearing, the Division shall have power to suspend, revoke, place on probation, or refuse to renew the license in question. Immediate notice of any such action shall be given to the licensee in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1A-1, Rule 4(j) of the Rules of Civil Procedure. For each alleged violation, the Division shall determine in its sole and unappealable discretion whether entering into a settlement agreement or consent order with the applicable licensee or license applicant either prior to or subsequent to the hearing would promote the interests of justice and administrative efficiency. (1955, c. 1243, s. 12; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1981, c. 108; 2014-108, s. 6(a); 2023-116, s. 7(a).)