1. (1) Unless otherwise ordered, hearings will be conducted in the following format:

   1. (a) Administration of an oath to all persons testifying;
   2. (b) The appellant's opening statement;
   3. (c) The respondent's opening statement;

   4. (d) The appellant's case in chief:

      1. (i) Direct examination of witness;
      2. (ii) Cross-examination by the respondent;
      3. (iii) Redirect examination by the appellant;
      4. (iv) Recross examination;
      5. (v) The above procedure is followed for each witness.

   5. (e) The respondent's case in chief:

      1. (i) Direct examination of witness;
      2. (ii) Cross-examination by the appellant;
      3. (iii) Redirect examination by the respondent;
      4. (iv) Recross examination;
      5. (v) The above procedure is followed for each witness.
   6. (f) The appellant's rebuttal, following the procedure in subsection (d) for each witness;
   7. (g) The appellant's closing argument;
   8. (h) The respondent's closing argument;
   9. (i) The appellant's closing rebuttal.
2. (2) The board may pose questions to the parties, their representatives, and any witnesses at any time during the hearing.
3. (3) In appeals where the respondent in the party with the burden of proof, the board may permit the respondent to present their evidence and arguments first.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 82.03.170. WSR 25-02-077, s 456-09-743, filed 12/24/24, effective 1/24/25; WSR 22-05-051, § 456-09-743, filed 2/9/22, effective 3/12/22.]