(a) Following issuance of a proposal for decision (PFD) in a contested case referred by the Board to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), the parties to the hearing may file exceptions and replies to exceptions to the PFD.(b) Any party may, within 20 days after the date of service of a proposal for decision, file with the executive director of the Board and the administrative law judge (ALJ), exceptions and briefs to the PFD. Replies to the exceptions and briefs may be filed within 15 days after the date of filing of the exceptions and briefs.(1) A request for extension of time within which to file exceptions, briefs, or replies shall be filed with the executive director of the Board and the ALJ, and a copy thereto shall be served on all other parties of record by the party making the request.(2) The ALJ will rule on all exceptions, briefs and replies and requests for extension of time and notify the parties of their decision and any amendments they propose to the PFD.