The board may revoke or suspend for a certain time the license or registration of any person to practice veterinary medicine or any branch thereof in this state after notice and hearing for any of the causes provided in this article. In addition to its authority to suspend or revoke a license or registration, the board shall have the authority to assess a fine not in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000) against a licensee or registrant for any of the causes specified in Section 4883. A fine may be assessed in lieu of or in addition to a suspension or revocation. The proceedings under this article 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, and the board shall have all the powers granted therein. Notwithstanding the
provisions of Section 4903, all fines collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the Veterinary Medical Board Contingent Fund.