Sorry, once I happened upon the actual pamphlet I inadvertently replaced the link to the article with a link to the pamphlet. Here is the article:
http://www.trans-health.com/2003/real-life-test/
The thing I find remarkable about it is that the "Real Life Experience" requirement was likely created by Erickson's personal physician with no research at all. The requirement has been brought forward to the present pretty much intact. That's a pretty shaky background for a requirement being used to determine such life-changing decisions.
I'm curious, has anyone run across any research showing that a specific period of RLE improves the chances of a good overall outcome?