(a) Upon the receipt of information indicating that the respondent may be in violation of any of the terms or conditions of respondent's probation, the department shall conduct an investigation.

(b) The director of the Office of Professional Discipline shall review the results of the investigation and if the director determines that a violation of probation proceeding is warranted, the director shall give notice to the respondent, by letter, of the facts forming the basis of the alleged violation of respondent's probation. The respondent, in said letter, shall be requested to indicate whether there is any dispute as to the facts, and shall be informed that if respondent disputes any of the facts the respondent shall be entitled to a hearing thereon.

(c) If the respondent does not dispute the facts forming the basis of the alleged violation of probation, the matter shall be submitted to the Regents Review Committee for its review and recommendations(s) as to whether, based upon the undisputed facts, there has been a violation of the terms or conditions of respondent's probation and, if so, as to the measure of discipline to be imposed upon the respondent.

(d) If the respondent disputes any of the facts forming the basis of the alleged violation of probation, the respondent shall be afforded a hearing before a hearing officer appointed by the commissioner to hear and make findings of fact, conclusions of law and recommendation(s). The department shall give the respondent at least 10 days' notice of the hearing, 15 if by mail. The evidence in support of the application shall be presented by counsel on behalf of the department and the respondent shall also have the right to be represented by counsel. The department and the respondent have the right to produce witnesses and other evidence, to cross-examine witnesses, and to examine any other evidence produced at the hearing. A stenographic record of the hearing will be made, and the hearing officer shall not be bound by the rules of evidence, but the findings of fact and conclusions of law of the hearing officer shall be based upon substantial evidence.

(e) The report of the hearing officer shall be reviewed by the Regents Review Committee.

(f) The Regents Review Committee shall notify the respondent, at least seven days before its meeting, of the time and place of such meeting, and shall also notify the respondent of the opportunity to appear in person and to be represented by counsel at such meeting.

(g) The Regents Review Committee shall transmit the report of the hearing officer and a written report of its review to the Board of Regents. The final determination shall be made by the Board of Regents, and the commissioner or his or her designee shall issue an order implementing such determination.

(h) The measure of discipline to be imposed for any violation of probation may be to continue the respondent on probation for a period in addition to the period of probation imposed in the original order, or to terminate the probation, vacate the stay of execution, and impose any measure of discipline authorized by section 6511 of the Education Law. A violation of probation shall constitute unprofessional conduct, and may constitute the basis for proceedings under either the provisions of section 6510 of the Education Law or of this Part.