Secretary announcements at a number of the Stated meetings I have attended include mention that EA "X" is taking longer than 6 months and the extension paperwork has been filed.
Very strange. As noted above, EAs (& FCs) have 12 months to turn in their work. If they fail to do so, they are still allowed to receive instruction and, after they do turn in their work, must petition for advancement, which is mostly a formality. I know of, and cannot find any legitimate reference in the Law to, any such "extension" business.
Art 430. Degree Not Conferred One Year After Election.
After twelve months have elapsed since the election of a petitioner to receive the degrees and no degree has been conferred or twelve months have elapsed since an Entered Apprentice or a Fellowcraft has received such degree, his election to receive the degrees or the failure of the Entered Apprentice or Fellowcraft to receive the next degree, shall become null and void, and a new petition shall be required which shall be governed by all the rules and follow all the procedures prescribed for an original petition for the degrees. (Note – for procedure after rejection, see Article 434. For procedure after lapse of time, see Article 434-a. For personal jurisdiction, territorial jurisdiction, and waiver of jurisdiction see the following Chapter 5, Title IV, and the Articles therein numbered 440 to 465.) (Revised 1993)
Art. 434a. Procedure After Lapse of Time.
Whenever an Entered Apprentice or Fellowcraft must petition for advancement because of lapse of time, he shall be permitted to receive instruction, to sit in a Lodge in the highest degree to which he has attained and be examined in open Lodge and voted on as proficient in the trial lecture of the degree last conferred; after which his petition for advancement may be received and dealt with in the same manner as a petition for affiliation as set forth in Articles
386 and 387, and must receive a favorable ballot of the Lodge of Competent Jurisdiction as provided in Article 430, except as otherwise provided in Articles 39 and 414. (Revised 2004)