(c) If the person upon whom the sealer levied a civil penalty requested and appeared at a hearing, the person may appeal the sealer’s decision to the secretary within 30 days of the date of receiving a copy of the sealer’s decision. The following procedures apply to the appeal:

1. (1) The appeal shall be in writing and signed by the appellant or his or her authorized agent, state the grounds for the appeal, and include a copy of the sealer’s decision. The appellant shall file a copy of the appeal with the sealer at the same time it is filed with the secretary.
2. (2) The appellant and the sealer may, at the time of filing the appeal or within 10 days thereafter or at a later time prescribed by the secretary, present the record of the hearing including written evidence that was submitted at the hearing and a written argument to the secretary stating grounds for affirming, modifying, or reversing the sealer’s decision.
3. (3) The secretary may grant oral arguments upon application made at the time written arguments are filed.
4. (4) If an application to present an oral argument is granted, written notice of the time and place for the oral argument shall be given at least 10 days before the date set therefor. The times may be altered by mutual agreement of the appellant, the sealer, and the secretary.
5. (5) The secretary shall decide the appeal on the record of the hearing, including the written evidence and the written argument described in paragraph (2), that he or she has received. If the secretary finds substantial evidence in the record to support the sealer’s decision, the secretary shall affirm the decision.
6. (6) The secretary shall render a written decision within 45 days of the date of appeal or within 15 days of the date of oral arguments or as soon thereafter as practicable.
7. (7) On an appeal pursuant to this section, the secretary may affirm the sealer’s decision, modify the sealer’s decision by reducing or increasing the amount of the penalty levied so that it is within the secretary’s guidelines for imposing civil penalties, or reverse the sealer’s decision. Any civil penalty increased by the secretary shall not be higher than that proposed in the sealer’s notice of proposed action given pursuant to subdivision (b). A copy of the secretary’s decision shall be delivered or mailed to the appellant and the sealer.
8. (8) Any person who does not request a hearing pursuant to subdivision (b) may not file an appeal pursuant to this subdivision.
9. (9) Review of a decision of the secretary may be sought by the appellant within 30 days of the date of the decision pursuant to Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure.