(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in business as a wholesaler or as an egg handler without first obtaining a license from the Commissioner. No license issued under this article shall be suspended or revoked except for health and sanitation reasons or violations of this article and until the licensee to be affected shall be provided with reasonable notice thereof and an opportunity for hearing, as provided under Chapter 13 of Title 50, known as the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act." Licenses issued under this article shall be valid until suspended or revoked and shall not be transferable with respect to persons or location. There shall be no fee for such license.

(b) Food sales establishments licensed under Article 2 of this chapter, known as the "Georgia Food Act," and shell egg handlers registered under the United States Department of Agriculture shell egg surveillance inspection program shall be exempt from the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section.