Every person shall obtain a permit from the secretary before engaging in the business of processing or distributing market milk. Upon receipt of an application for a permit, the secretary shall cause an investigation to be made of the milk products plant or place of business from which milk is distributed. If this division and the standards that are established pursuant to the authority that is granted in this division are complied with, a permit shall be issued by the secretary to the milk products plant or place of business. The permit shall be issued for a period not to exceed one year.