(a) Except for those powers reserved exclusively to the “agency itself” under the Administrative Procedure Act (Section 11500 et seq. of the Government Code), the Board delegates and confers upon the Executive Officer of the Board all functions necessary to the dispatch of the Board in connection with investigative and administrative proceedings under the jurisdiction of the Board, including the ability to accept default decisions and to approve settlement agreements for the revocation, surrender or interim suspension of a license.

(b) The Executive Officer is further authorized to investigate and evaluate each applicant for licensure under the Act; and to issue a license in conformance with the provisions of the Act and this chapter.