(1) Any candidate who takes the state examination for licensure and does not pass the examination may request to review their papers.

(a) The department will not modify examination results unless the candidate presents clear and convincing evidence of error in the grading of the examination.

(b) The department will not consider any challenges to examination grading unless the total of the potentially revised score would result in issuance of certification.

(2) The procedure for requesting an informal review of examination results is as follows:

(a) The request must be in writing and must be received by the department within thirty days of the date on the letter of notification of examination results sent to the candidate.

(b) The following procedures apply to an appeal of the results of the examination.

(i) In addition to the written request required in (a) of this subsection, the candidate must appear personally in the department office in Olympia to review the examination. The candidate must contact the department to make an appointment for the exam review session with department staff.

(ii) Within fifteen days of the review the candidate, in writing, must specifically identify the challenged portions on the examination and must state the specific reason(s) why the candidate believes the results should be modified.

(iii) The candidate will be allowed one hour to review the examination.

(c) The department will review the examination and justification submitted by the candidate. The candidate will be notified in writing of the department's decision.

(d) Any candidate who is not satisfied with the results of the informal examination review may, within twenty days of the date on the notice of the department's informal review notification, request a formal hearing to challenge the examination results.

(3) The procedures for requesting a formal hearing are as follows:

(a) The candidate must complete the informal review process before requesting a formal hearing.

(b) The request for a formal hearing must be received by the department within twenty days of the date on the notice of the results of the department's informal review.

(c) The written request must specifically identify the challenged portion(s) of the examination and must state the specific reason(s) why the candidate believes the examination results should be modified.

(d) Candidates will receive at least twenty days notice of the time and place of the formal hearing.

(e) The hearing will be restricted to the specific portion(s) of the examination the candidate has identified in the request for formal hearing.

(f) The formal hearing will be conducted pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 34.05 RCW.

(g) The candidate will be notified in writing of the director's final decision.