(a) The Chief Administrator of the Courts, in his or her discretion and in accordance with this section and section 122.3 of this Part, may extend the term of a person serving as a judicial hearing officer or designate a judicial hearing officer to an additional term provided he or she has the physical and mental capacity, and the competence, work ethic, and judicial temperament, necessary to perform the duties of a judicial hearing officer. To be considered for designation to an additional term hereunder, a judicial hearing officer must apply therefor upon such form as may be provided by the Chief Administrator and undergo a comprehensive physical examination as set forth in section 122.2(b) of this Part.

(b) In determining whether to extend the term of a person serving as a judicial hearing officer, or designate a judicial hearing officer to an additional term, the Chief Administrator shall consider recommendations from an evaluatory body consisting of the appropriate Deputy Chief Administrator for the courts within or without the City of New York, the Deputy Chief Administrator for Management Support, the Administrative Judge for Matrimonial Matters and the administrative judge or judges of the court where the judicial hearing officer has served. The Chief Administrator, after consultation with the Presiding Justice of the appropriate Appellate Division, may alter the membership of the evaluatory body where circumstances require. In making recommendations whether the judicial hearing officer meets the criteria set forth in this Part, the evaluating body shall examine the performance evaluations prepared pursuant to section 122.3-a of this Part, and any required medical evaluations, and shall consult with administrative judges, bar associations and other persons or groups as may be appropriate.

(c) The Chief Administrator also shall consult with the Presiding Justice of the appropriate Appellate Division and may consult with the appropriate judicial hearing officer selection advisory committee and other persons and conduct whatever investigation the Chief Administrator deems necessary to determine the qualifications of an applicant, including requiring additional medical examinations.