531—5.17 (17A) Continuances. Unless otherwise provided, applications for continuances shall be made to the presiding officer.
	 5.17(1) A written application for continuance shall:
	  a.   	 Be made at the earliest possible time and no less than ten days before the hearing except in case of unanticipated emergencies;
	  b.   	 State the specific reasons for the request; and
	  c.   	 Be signed by the requesting party or the party’s representative.
An oral application for a continuance may be made if the presiding officer waives the requirement for a written motion. However, a party making such an oral application for a continuance must confirm that request by written application within five days after the oral request unless that requirement is waived by the presiding officer. No application for continuance shall be made or granted without notice to all parties except in an emergency where notice is not feasible. The agency may waive notice of such requests for a particular case or an entire class of cases.
	 5.17(2) In determining whether to grant a continuance, the presiding officer may consider:
	  a.   	 Prior continuances;
	  b.   	 The interests of all parties;
	  c.   	 The likelihood of informal settlement;
	  d.   	 The existence of an emergency;
	  e.   	 Any objection;
	  f.   	 Any applicable time requirements;
	  g.   	 The existence of a conflict in the schedules of counsel, parties, or witnesses;
	  h.   	 The timeliness of the request; and
	  i.   	 Other relevant factors.
The presiding officer may require documentation of any grounds for continuance.