(a) The board may prosecute a person for a violation of this chapter.
(b) The board shall hear and decide a matter, including, but not limited to, a contested case or a petition for reinstatement or modification of probation, or may assign the matter to an administrative law judge in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a hearing shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.