(1) Reference to law. Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 34.05 RCW, RCW 49.60.250, and these rules.

(2) Administrative law judge presides. The administrative law judge shall preside as provided in WAC 162-08-211.

(3) Hearings shall be public. All administrative hearings shall be open to the public. Photographs and recordings of the proceedings may be made, subject to such conditions as the administrative law judge may impose to prevent interference with the orderly conduct of the hearing. Special lighting for photographic purposes may be used only if the administrative law judge has determined in advance that it will not be distracting. The administrative law judge may order news media to use one or more television cameras on a pooling basis if the number of cameras interferes with the conduct of the hearing.

(4) Record of testimony. The clerk shall determine whether the record of testimony taken at a hearing shall be made by mechanical means or by a court reporter.

(5) Copies of record. When the record has been recorded by mechanical means, rather than by a court reporter, a party ordering a copy of the record or part thereof under RCW 34.05.566 must pay the reasonable cost of transcription, as determined by the clerk, in advance of delivery of the copy. When the record is transcribed and copies of documents are made for transmittal to a reviewing court under RCW 34.05.566, the costs of transcription and copying may be charged to a nonindigent petitioner in accordance with RCW 34.05.566(3).