(

a) If a home health agency or an applicant for a license has not been previously licensed, the state department may only issue a provisional license to the agency as provided in this section. (

b) A provisional license to operate a home health agency shall terminate six months from the date of issuance. (

c) Within days prior to the termination of a provisional license, the state department shall give the agency a full and complete inspection, and, if the agency meets all applicable requirements for licensure, a regular license shall be issued. If the home health agency does not meet the requirements for licensure but has made substantial progress towards meeting the requirements, as determined by the state department, the initial provisional license shall be renewed for six months. (

d) If the state department determines that there has not been substantial progress towards meeting licensure requirements at the time of the first full inspection provided by this section, or, if the state department determines upon its inspection made within days of the termination of a renewed provisional license that there is lack of full compliance with the requirements, no further license shall be issued. (

e) If an applicant for a provisional license to operate a home health agency has been denied provisional licensing by the state department, the applicant may contest the denial by filing a request for a hearing pursuant to

Section 100171. (

f) The department shall not apply less stringent criteria when granting a provisional license pursuant to this

section than it applies when granting a permanent license.