An application on the form prescribed by the commissioner for the renewal of a license, filed before midnight of the last day of the period for which a previous license was issued, accompanied by the applicable renewal fee and good faith evidence of compliance with the provisions of Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 10170), entitles the applicant to continue operating under their existing license after its specified expiration date, if not previously suspended or revoked.

If the commissioner determines that the applicant has not complied with the continuing education requirements, they shall either (1) advise the applicant of the applicability of Section 10171.2 on an extended period for compliance; or (2) advise the applicant

that their rights to operate under the prior license will expire five days from the date the notice is mailed, or on the date the license would normally expire, whichever is later; and the commissioner’s reason for that determination, and the right of the applicant to request a hearing on the decision. Nothing in this section shall prevent the commissioner from delaying the renewal of the license of a licensee pursuant to Section 10177.