(a) An applicant at the time of filing an application for a license under this division shall pay to the commissioner the sum of fifty dollars ($50) as a fee for investigating the application and two hundred dollars ($200) as an application fee. The investigation fee and application fee are not refundable if an application is denied or withdrawn.

(b) (1) Each licensee shall pay to the commissioner its pro rata share of all costs and expenses, reasonably incurred in the administration of this division as estimated by the commissioner for the ensuing year and any deficit actually incurred or anticipated in the administration of the programs in the year in which such assessment is made. The pro rata share shall be the proportion which a licensee’s gross income bears to the aggregate gross income of all licensees as shown by the annual financial reports to the commissioner. The pro rata share shall not include the costs of any examinations provided for in Section 12306, unless they cannot be collected from the licensee examined.

(2) On or before the 30th day of May in each year, the commissioner shall notify each licensee by mail of the amount assessed and levied against it and that amount shall be paid within 20 days thereafter. If payment is not made within 20 days, the commissioner shall assess and collect a penalty in addition to the assessment, of 1 percent of the assessment for each month or part of a month that the payment is delayed or withheld.

(3) In the levying and collection of the assessment, a licensee shall not be assessed for nor be permitted to pay less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150) per year.

(4) If a licensee fails to pay the assessment on or before the 30th day of June following the day upon which payment is due, the commissioner may by order summarily suspend or revoke the certificate issued to such licensee. If, after such an order is made, a request for hearing is filed in writing and a hearing is not held within 60 days thereafter, the order is deemed rescinded as of its effective date. During any period when its certificate is revoked or suspended, a licensee shall not conduct business pursuant to this division except as may be permitted by order of the commissioner; provided, however, that the revocation, suspension or surrender of a certificate shall not affect the powers of the commissioner as provided in this division.

(Amended by Stats. 1980, Ch. 497, Sec. 2.)