(a) Except for those powers reserved exclusively for 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, or in his or her absence, the president of the board, the power and discretion to prepare, receive and file accusations, statements of issues and stipulated settlements; issue notices of hearings and statements to respondents; receive and file notices of defense and proposed and final decisions; determine the time and place of hearings under section 11508 of the Government Code; issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum; calendar cases for hearing; prepare and file, proposed default decisions; adopt stipulated settlements where an action to revoke the license has been filed, and the respondent agrees to surrender his or her license, and perform other functions necessary to the businesslike dispatch of the business of the board in connection with proceedings under the provisions of sections 11500 through 11528 of the Government Code, prior to the hearing of such proceedings; and the certification and delivery or mailing of copies of decisions under section 11518 of said code.

(b) The executive officer is further authorized to investigate and evaluate each applicant for licensure under the Act, and to issue or deny a license in conformance with the provisions of the B&P, the Act, this chapter, and disciplinary guidelines.