(1) A hearing officer must be present at all hearings. Hearings may be held either in person or telephonically.

(a) A telephonic hearing is where all parties and the hearing officer are present by telephone.

(b) An in-person hearing is where the appellant appears face-to-face with the hearing officer. The other parties can choose to appear either in person or by telephone, but cannot be ordered to appear in person.

(2) Whether a hearing is held in person or telephonically, the parties have the right to see all documents, hear all testimony, and question all witnesses.

(3) If a hearing is originally scheduled to be held in person, the appellant may ask the hearing officer to change the in-person hearing to a telephonic hearing. Once a telephonic hearing begins, the hearing officer may stop, reschedule, and change the telephonic hearing to an in-person hearing if any party makes such a request.