(1) The presiding officer or the reviewing officer or officers, in their sole discretion, may convert a brief adjudicative proceeding to a formal administrative hearing at any time before the final order is issued on motion by:

(a) The appellant;

(b) The representative of the appellant;

(c) The authority; or

(d) The presiding officer or reviewing officer or officers.

(2) The presiding officer or reviewing officer or officers must convert the brief adjudicative proceeding to a formal administrative hearing when it is found that the use of the brief adjudicative proceeding violates any provision of law, when the protection of the public interest requires the authority to give notice and an opportunity to participate to persons other than the parties, or when the issues and interests involved in the controversy warrant the use of the procedures or RCW 34.05.413 through 34.05.476 that govern formal administrative hearings.

(3) When a brief adjudicative proceeding is converted to a formal administrative hearing, the director designates a hearing officer to conduct the formal administrative hearing upon notice to the appellant and the authority.

(4) When a brief adjudicative proceeding is converted to a formal administrative hearing, WAC 182-16-010 through 182-16-130 and 182-16-3000 through 182-16-3200 apply to the formal administrative hearing.