Sec. 9. The commission may grant an applicant a waiver from all or part of the continuing education requirement for the renewal period if the applicant was not able to fulfill the requirement due to a hardship that resulted from any of the following conditions:
(1) Service in the armed forces of the United States during a substantial part of the renewal period.
(2) An incapacitating illness or injury.
(3) Other circumstances determined by the commission.