I can attest to the reinstatement of an expired credit – I just passed FAR Q1 2017 as my final section – AUD was set to expire prior to Q1 2017 testing…
I'm testing in TX jurisdiction; I contacted the director of the TSBPA directly to inquire about the possibility of an extension of the time prior to a credit falling off – she told me that is NOT possible in that jurisdiction (I referenced a similar circumstance to a candidate in WV; apparently, this is jurisdictional discretion, so do a bit of homework on your state site/ contact someone prior in an applicable state division prior to the decision-maker, etc); however, she alluded to the possibility of consideration for an extenuating medical circumstance.
My father died Q1 2017, my grandpa died Q2 2017, my aunt died Q3 2017, and my mom was in ICU for 3 weeks Q4 2017 (emergency heart valve replacement, then a double-bypass, 14 hour surgery, that night needed 28 bags of blood/platelets, later told only a 2% chance of pulling through by the surgeon)…
None of that mattered, save my mother, which was in the relevant time frame of the window of testing (I flew up from Texas to Michigan for all 4 of these events same day; however, the first 3 quarters of 2016 are a moot point/sunk cost). Since I was physically there for 3 weeks (provided proof) during October 2016, and my exam was mid-November 2016, and I was denied an extension of time to test, and subsequently scored a 74 in Q4 2016 (I scored a 74 Q2/Q3/and Q4 2016 on FAR), and I provided documentation from the hospital (as medical POA, they gave me a 30-page pdf same-day that I attached in my email to TSBPA), they extended my AUD time through Q2 2017. My REG (expiry 02/25/2017) and BEC (August or so 2017) was not extended. I re-sat for FAR on 2/23 and scored an 81 – I'm done.
Summary – It is jurisdictional discretion, on a case-by-case basis. You will need a compelling reason, and to get your ducks in a row ahead of time. Speaking of loss of credit, I passed 10 exam sections in 23 attempts in almost 7 years before finally ascertaining the 4 within the requisite 18-month window…I've had 3 occasions where credit fell off on my 4th and final section scoring 74, 3 separate times. Don't give up. Don't ever, ever, give up – it will happen. Not necessarily in your timeframe, but perseverance will win the day, eventually.
FAR - 75 (11/09) LOST credit
REG - 79 (06/10) LOST credit
BEC - 73 (05/03/10), 83 01/14/11 LOST credit
AUD - 74 (02/28/11) 74!!! (05/30/11)
2014
BEC - 77 (02/18/14)
AUD - April
REG - May
FAR - Later