(1) An initial order by an administrative law judge shall become the final order of the board within forty-five days of the initial order unless:

(a) A board member determines that the initial order should be reviewed as provided in WAC 292-100-175;

(b) A party files a petition for review of the initial order within thirty days of the entry of the initial order.

(2) The petition for review will specify the portions of the initial order to which exception is taken and will refer to the evidence of record relied upon to support the petition.

(3) Petitions for review shall be filed with the executive director and served on all other parties. The party not filing the petition for review shall have twenty days to reply to the petition for review. The reply shall be filed with the executive director and copies of the reply shall be served on all other parties or their counsel at the time the reply is filed, and may cross-petition for review. If the reply contains a cross-petition, it shall specify portions of the initial order to which exception is taken by the replying party, and shall refer to the evidence of the record relied upon to support the reply.

(4) The board shall personally consider the whole record or such portions of it as may be cited by the parties.

(a) The board shall afford each party an opportunity to present written argument and may afford each party an opportunity to present oral argument.

(b) The board shall enter a final order disposing of the proceeding.

(c) The board shall serve copies of the final order on all parties, the complainant, and the employing agency.