Formal hearing; failure to appear; request for continuance.

1. If the Board schedules a formal hearing, it will give written notice of the time and place of the hearing to the petitioner and respondent by certified mail, return receipt requested. A hearing may be held at any location in the State, but the Board will attempt to hold a hearing at a location which is convenient for the petitioner and respondent. 2. If a party fails to appear at a hearing and no continuance has been requested or granted, the Board may: (a) Grant or dismiss the complaint with or without prejudice; (b) Take evidence from the parties and witnesses present at the hearing and make a decision on the merits; or (c) Continue the hearing until a date set by the Board. 3. At least 15 days before the date of a hearing, a party may submit to the Board a written request for a continuance of the hearing. The request must be signed by the party requesting the continuance or his or her attorney and include a statement of the reason for the request. The Board may, within its discretion, grant or deny the request for a continuance.