An applicant for a contractor’s or salesperson’s license must pass the examination prior to submitting an application for a license. An applicant may receive a license only if the applicant passes the examination that the Commission requires. To take an examination, an applicant shall pay to the Commission or a testing service chosen by the Commission the examination fee set by the Commission to cover the cost of the examination. The examination fee is nonrefundable. The Commission shall schedule the applicant for an examination to be held within 45 days after the Commission receives an application for examination. The examination shall be held at a location: that is within the general geographic area where the applicant resides, if the applicant resides in the State; or that the Commission determines, if the applicant resides out of State. The Commission shall give each qualified applicant notice of the time and place of examination. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Commission shall determine the subjects, scope, and form of and the passing score for examinations. The examination shall test: the applicant’s knowledge of the law about home improvement; and the applicant’s competency to engage in the licensed occupation. The competency part of the examination may be oral or written. The Commission may use a testing service to administer the examinations given under this section. If the Commission uses a testing service under this subsection, the testing service, subject to the requirements set by the Commission, may: set the time and place of examinations; give qualified applicants notice of the time and place of examinations; and furnish any other information that the Commission may require the testing service to provide. Within 30 days after the first meeting of the Commission after an examination date, the Commission shall notify an applicant in writing of the examination score of the applicant.