CHAPTER 35.5. ASSESSOR-APPRAISER EXAMINATION AND CERTIFICATION
IC 6-1.1-35.5
Chapter 35.5. Assessor-Appraiser Examination and Certification
IC 6-1.1-35.5-1
Conduct and administration of programs
Sec. 1. The department of local government finance shall:
(1) conduct an assessor-appraiser examination and certification
program for level one and level two certifications; and
(2) administer a level three assessor-appraiser certification
program.
The department shall design and implement the programs in a
manner that maximizes the number of certified assessor-appraisers
involved in the assessment process.
As added by Acts 1980, P.L.8, SEC.56. Amended by P.L.90-2002,
SEC.253; P.L.1-2004, SEC.43 and P.L.23-2004, SEC.46;
P.L.219-2007, SEC.75.
IC 6-1.1-35.5-2
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.6-1997, SEC.239.)
IC 6-1.1-35.5-3
Design of level one and level two examinations; eligibility to take
examination; subject matter of examination
Sec. 3. The department of local government finance shall design
two (2) assessor-appraiser examinations, to be called "level one" and
"level two". All citizens of Indiana are eligible to apply for and to be
examined under "level one" and "level two" examinations, subject
only to the resources and limitations of the department of local
government finance in conducting the examinations. Both
examinations should cover the subjects of real estate appraising,
accounting, and property tax law. Successful performance on the
level one examination requires the minimum knowledge needed for
effective performance as a county or township assessor under this
article. Success on the level two examination requires substantial
knowledge of the subjects covered in the examination.
As added by Acts 1980, P.L.8, SEC.56. Amended by P.L.6-1997,
SEC.119; P.L.90-2002, SEC.254.
IC 6-1.1-35.5-4
Time and location of examinations; open book format
Sec. 4. (a) The level one examination shall be given in July, and
the level two examination shall be given in August. Both level
examinations also shall be offered annually immediately following
the conference of the department of local government finance and at
any other times that coordinate with training sessions conducted
under IC 6-1.1-35.2-2. The department of local government finance
may also give either or both examinations at other times throughout
the year.
(b) Examinations shall be held each year, at the times prescribed
in subsection (a), in Indianapolis and at not less than four (4) other
convenient locations chosen by the department of local government
finance.
(c) The department of local government finance may not limit the
number of individuals who take the examination and shall provide an
opportunity for all enrollees at each session to take the examination
at that session.
(d) The department of local government finance shall:
(1) give both the level one examination and the level two
examination in an open book format; and
(2) design both examinations to approximate the work an
assessing official is required to perform, including the use of
appropriate computer applications.
As added by Acts 1980, P.L.8, SEC.56. Amended by P.L.198-2001,
SEC.86; P.L.1-2002, SEC.29 and P.L.90-2002, SEC.255;
P.L.1-2004, SEC.44 and P.L.23-2004, SEC.47.
IC 6-1.1-35.5-4.5
Level three program; rules
Sec. 4.5. (a) The department of local government finance shall:
(1) administer a program for level three assessor-appraiser
certifications; and
(2) design a curriculum for level three assessor-appraiser
certification candidates that:
(A) consists of tested courses offered by nationally
recognized assessing organizations; and
(B) requires superior knowledge of assessment
administration and property valuation concepts.
(b) The department of local government finance may adopt rules
under IC 4-22-2 to implement this section.
As added by P.L.219-2007, SEC.76.
IC 6-1.1-35.5-5
Eligibility for programs
Sec. 5. A county or township assessor, a member or hearing
officer of the county property tax assessment board of appeals, or a
member of the public may apply for and take the level one
examination. A person who is successful on the level one
examination may apply for and take the level two examination. A
person who is successful on the level two examination may apply for
level three certification.
As added by Acts 1980, P.L.8, SEC.56. Amended by P.L.6-1997,
SEC.120; P.L.219-2007, SEC.77.
IC 6-1.1-35.5-6
Certification of successful examinees; revocation
Sec. 6. (a) The department of local government finance shall
certify all persons who successfully complete a certification under
this chapter and shall furnish each successful certification applicant
with a certificate that prominently displays the person's name and the
fact that the person is a level one, level two, or level three certified
Indiana assessor-appraiser.
(b) The department of local government finance shall revoke the
certification of an individual if the department reasonably determines
that the individual committed fraud or misrepresentation with respect
to:
(1) the preparation, administration, or taking of the examination
for level one or level two certification; or
(2) completion of the curriculum for level three certification.
The department of local government finance shall give notice and
hold a hearing to consider all of the evidence about the fraud or
misrepresentation before deciding whether to revoke the individual's
certification.
As added by Acts 1980, P.L.8, SEC.56. Amended by P.L.198-2001,
SEC.87; P.L.219-2007, SEC.78.
IC 6-1.1-35.5-7
Fees for level one and level two certifications; assessing official
training account
Sec. 7. (a) With respect to level one and level two certifications,
the department of local government finance shall establish a fair and
reasonable fee for examination and certification under this chapter.
However, the fee does not apply to an assessing official, a hearing
officer for a county property tax assessment board of appeals, or an
employee of an assessing official or county property tax assessment
board of appeals who is taking the level one examination or the level
two examination for the first time.
(b) The assessing official training account is established as an
account within the state general fund. All fees collected by the
department of local government finance shall be deposited in the
account. The account shall be administered by the department of
local government finance and does not revert to the state general
fund at the end of a fiscal year. The department of local government
finance may use money in the account for:
(1) testing and training of assessing officials, county assessors,
members of a county property tax assessment board of appeals,
and employees of assessing officials, county assessors, or the
county property tax assessment board of appeals; and
(2) administration of the level three certification program under
section 4.5 of this chapter.
As added by Acts 1980, P.L.8, SEC.56. Amended by P.L.41-1993,
SEC.28; P.L.6-1997, SEC.121; P.L.90-2002, SEC.256;
P.L.219-2007, SEC.79; P.L.146-2008, SEC.284.
IC 6-1.1-35.5-8
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.219-2007, SEC.149.)
IC 6-1.1-35.5-8.5
Rules for level one and level two programs
Sec. 8.5. (a) This section applies only to level one and level two
assessor-appraiser certifications.
(b) The department of local government finance may adopt rules
under IC 4-22-2 to implement this chapter. The department of local
government finance shall adopt rules to set:
(1) minimum requirements for initial certification after
December 31, 2001, under this chapter;
(2) continuing education requirements for the renewal of a
certification after December 31, 2001, under this chapter; and
(3) procedures for renewing a certification issued under this
chapter, including a certification issued before January 1, 1999,
for a person who meets the certification requirements set under
subdivision (2).
The rules must also establish procedures for disciplinary action
against a certificate holder that fails to comply with the statutes or
rules applicable to the certificate holder. The rules adopted under
subdivisions (2) and (3) may not require testing to renew or maintain
a certification under this chapter.
As added by P.L.198-2001, SEC.89. Amended by P.L.219-2007,
SEC.80.
IC 6-1.1-35.5-9
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.146-2008, SEC.802.)