(a) Within 45 days of receipt of an application for QME status, the Administrative Director shall either inform the applicant, in writing, that the application is complete and accepted for filing, or that the application is deficient and what specific information is required.

(b) Within 45 days of receipt of a completed application, the Administrative Director shall inform the applicant, in writing, of its decision to allow or not to allow the applicant to proceed to take the required QME competency examination as per Section 11(f) of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations.

(c) Within 45 days of receipt of a completed application, the Administrative Director must inform the applicant, in writing, of its decision to grant or deny the application.