If any witness resides outside of the state, or through illness or other cause is unable to testify before the board or its member, agent, or agency conducting the hearing or investigation, his or her testimony or deposition may be taken within or without this state, in any manner and in any form that the board or its member, agent, or agency conducting the hearing may by special order or general rule, prescribe.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-7-34