(a) Any individual issued a license or certification under this chapter or providing services under substantial equivalency practice privileges and convicted under the laws of this state, the United States, any other state, or any other country of a felony as defined in paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of Code Section 43-1-19 shall be required to notify the board of such conviction within 30 days of such conviction. The failure of such individual to notify the board of a conviction shall be considered grounds for revocation of his or her license or other authorization issued pursuant to this chapter.

(b) The board may suspend the license of an individual who has been certified by a federal agency and reported to the board for nonpayment or default or breach of a repayment or service obligation under any federal educational loan, loan repayment, or service conditional scholarship program. Prior to the suspension, the licensee shall be entitled to notice of the board's intended action and opportunity to appear before the board. A suspension of a license under this Code section is not a contested case under Chapter 13 of Title 50, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act." A license suspended under this Code section shall not be reinstated or reissued until the individual provides the board a written release issued by the reporting agency stating that the individual is making payments on the loan or satisfying the service requirements in accordance with an agreement approved by the reporting agency. If the individual has continued to meet all other requirements for licensure during the period of suspension, reinstatement of the license shall be automatic upon receipt of the notice and payment of any reinstatement fee which the board may impose.