(1)(a) Within 7 days after receipt of an application, whether complete or not, the department shall request the Division of Administrative Hearings to designate an administrative law judge to conduct the hearings required by this act.
(b) The division director shall designate an administrative law judge to conduct the hearings required by this act within 7 days after receipt of the request from the department. Whenever practicable, the division director shall assign an administrative law judge who has had prior experience or training in this type of certification proceeding.
(c) Upon being advised that an administrative law judge has been designated, the department shall immediately file a copy of the application and all supporting documents with the administrative law judge, who shall docket the application.
(2) The administrative law judge has all powers and duties granted to administrative law judges under chapter 120 and by the laws and rules of the department.
