An applicant cannot be refused a license without:

The correct answer is the opportunity for a hearing before the Board because administrative law principles mandate that individuals have the right to due process before being denied licenses or permits. This due process includes the right to be heard. In practice, this means that when an applicant applies for a license, they cannot be denied that license without being given a fair chance to present their case and respond to any concerns that may have led to the rejection.

A hearing allows the applicant to understand the reasons for the denial and to provide evidence or arguments that could potentially sway the decision in their favor. This process is essential to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in administrative decisions, particularly in professional licensing scenarios where an individual’s ability to work and earn a living is at stake.

The other options mentioned do not encapsulate the fundamental requirement for procedural fairness in licensing decisions. The need for legal representation, the assessment of moral character, or the possession of a valid driver’s license might be important in specific contexts but do not supersede the fundamental requirement of an opportunity to contest a denial before the Board’s authority.