Any person may prefer charges of fraud, deceit, gross negligence, incompetence, misconduct or violation of the code of ethics against any individual registrant. Such charges shall be in writing and shall be sworn to by the person or persons making them and shall be filed with the secretary of the department. All charges unless dismissed by the department as unfounded or trivial shall be heard by the department within three months after the date on which they shall have been preferred. The time and place for such hearing shall be fixed by the department and a copy of the charges, together with a notice of the time and place of hearing, shall be served upon the accused either personally or sent by registered or certified mail to the last-known address of such individual registrant at least thirty days before the date fixed for hearing. At any hearing the accused registrant shall have the right to appear in person or by counsel, or both, to cross-examine witnesses appearing against the accused, and to produce evidence and witnesses in defense of the accused. If the accused person fails or refuses to appear, the department may proceed to hear and determine the validity of the charges. If after such hearing a majority of the department votes in favor of sustaining the charges, the department shall make findings of fact, draw its conclusions and issue its order therein and serve the same upon the accused. In such order the department may reprimand, suspend, refuse to renew, or revoke the accused individual's certificate of registration. Any person who feels aggrieved by any action of the department in denying, suspending, refusing to renew, or revoking his certificate of registration may appeal therefrom an administrative law judge to within thirty days after receipt of the order of the department. The hearing by the court shall be de novo.