151-A - Planner certification.

§  151-a. Planner certification. There is hereby established a planner  certification program for the purpose of certifying individuals in  both  the   public  and  private  sectors  who  are  qualified  by  education,  experience, or examination to develop an AEM plan as defined in  section  one  hundred  fifty  of  this  article.  Subject  to the availability of  funding, the department, in cooperation with the state  soil  and  water  conservation  committee,  may develop or contract to have developed such  testing procedures, educational requirements,  and  examinations  as  it  deems   appropriate   to   assure  the  competence  of  persons  seeking  certification. To the extent practical, and consistent with the purposes  of this article, the department may waive or  accept  substitutions  for  educational or testing requirements to facilitate planner certification.  Such  substitutions  may  include,  but not be limited to, United States  department of agriculture natural resources conservation services  third  party  certification  and  job  approval  authority.  The department may  establish application and testing  fees  and  terms  and  conditions  of  certification,  such  as  procedures  for  certification  suspension and  revocation, and planner continuing education.