(1) An examination candidate may take test sections individually and in any order. Any test section passed is valid for 18 months from the actual date the examination candidate took the test section.

(2) All test sections must be passed within an 18-month period, which begins on the date the first test section that was passed was taken, and ends on the last day of the last month of that 18-month period. An examination candidate may take any section of the examination up to four times during a one-year period but cannot retake any failed test section in any one three-month testing period. In the event all test sections are not passed in an 18-month period, credit for any test section passed outside the 18-month period will expire and that test section must be retaken.

(3) The 18-month period in which to pass all required sections of the examination may be extended if a hardship exception is approved by the board.