---
kind: "section"
citation: "5 U.S.C. § 558"
title: "5"
title_heading: "Government Organization and Employees"
number: "558"
heading: "Imposition of sanctions; determination of applications for licenses; suspension, revocation, and expiration of licenses"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/5/558"
units:
  - "Part I — The Agencies Generally"
  - "Chapter 5 — Administrative Procedure"
  - "Subchapter II — Administrative Procedure"
---

# §558. Imposition of sanctions; determination of applications for licenses; suspension, revocation, and expiration of licenses

- (a) This section applies, according to the provisions thereof, to the exercise of a power or authority.
- (b) A [sanction](/usc/5/551.md?p=10) may not be imposed or a substantive rule or [order](/usc/5/551.md?p=6) issued except within jurisdiction delegated to the [agency](/usc/5/551.md?p=1) and as authorized by law.
- (c) When application is made for a [license](/usc/5/551.md?p=8) required by law, the [agency](/usc/5/551.md?p=1), with due regard for the rights and privileges of all the interested [parties](/usc/5/551.md?p=3) or adversely affected [persons](/usc/5/551.md?p=2) and within a reasonable time, shall set and complete proceedings required to be conducted in accordance with sections [556](/usc/5/556.md) and [557](/usc/5/557.md) of this title or other proceedings required by law and shall make its decision. Except in cases of willfulness or those in which public health, interest, or safety requires otherwise, the withdrawal, suspension, revocation, or annulment of a [license](/usc/5/551.md?p=8) is lawful only if, before the institution of [agency proceedings](/usc/5/551.md?p=12) therefor, the licensee has been given—
  - (1) notice by the [agency](/usc/5/551.md?p=1) in writing of the facts or conduct which may warrant the action; and
  - (2) opportunity to demonstrate or achieve compliance with all lawful requirements.

  When the licensee has made timely and sufficient application for a renewal or a new [license](/usc/5/551.md?p=8) in accordance with [agency](/usc/5/551.md?p=1) rules, a [license](/usc/5/551.md?p=8) with reference to an activity of a continuing nature does not expire until the application has been finally determined by the [agency](/usc/5/551.md?p=1).


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 388.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and<br>Statutes at Large |
|  | 5 U.S.C. 1008. | June 11, 1946, ch. 324, § 9, 60 Stat. 242. |

In subsection (b), the prohibition is restated in positive form.

In subsection (c), the words “within a reasonable time” are substituted for “with reasonable dispatch”. The last two sentences are restated for conciseness and clarity and to restate the prohibition in positive form.

Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section 558 of former Title 5, Executive Departments and Government Officers and Employees, was transferred to section 2209 of Title 7, Agriculture.