Denial, suspension of certificate or business permit

8. a. The board may refuse to admit a person to an examination or may refuse to issue or renew or may suspend or revoke any certificate or business permit issued by the board pursuant to this act upon proof that the applicant or holder of the certificate or business permit: (1) Has obtained a certificate or business permit or authorization to sit for an examination, as the case may be, through fraud, deception, or misrepresentation; (2) Has engaged in the use or employment of dishonesty, fraud, deception, misrepresentation, false promise or false pretense; (3) Has engaged in gross negligence or gross incompetence; (4) Has engaged in repeated acts of negligence or incompetence; (5) Has engaged in occupational misconduct as may be determined by the board; (6) Has been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude or any crime relating adversely to the activity regulated by the board. For the purpose of this paragraph a plea of guilty, non vult, nolo contendere or any other similar disposition of alleged criminal activity shall be deemed a conviction; (7) Has had his authority to engage in the activity regulated by the board revoked or suspended by any other state, agency or authority for reasons consistent with this section; (8) Has violated or failed to comply with the provisions of this act; (9) Is incapable, for medical or any other good cause, of discharging the functions of a certificate holder in a manner consistent with the public's health, safety and welfare; or (10) Has failed to comply with the continuing education requirements as provided in section 10 of P.L.2009, c.229 (C.45:5AA-7.1). b. The board shall afford a landscape irrigation contractor or person holding a business permit an opportunity for hearing before a certificate or business permit is revoked. The board shall afford a landscape irrigation contractor or person holding a business permit an opportunity for hearing after issuing an order to suspend a certificate or business permit, issued pursuant to section 10 of P.L.1991, c.27 (C.45:5AA-10).