§ 8-803. Certifications and licenses -- Application; issuance; term; renewal.

   (a) Certification -- Application. -- To apply for certification as a nutrient management consultant, an applicant shall:

   (1) Submit to the Department an application on the form the Department requires; and

   (2) Pay to the Department the certification fee stated in § 8-806 of this subtitle.

(b) Certification -- Qualifications. -- The Department shall certify any individual who:

   (1) Meets the requirements of this subtitle;

   (2) Meets the Department's educational requirements, including a program on the proper application of nutrients;

   (3) Passes a Department approved examination; and

   (4) (i) Is employed by a person licensed under this subtitle; or

      (ii) Holds a license as required by this subtitle.

(c) License -- Application. -- To apply for a license an applicant shall:

   (1) Submit to the Department an application on the form the Department requires; and

   (2) Pay to the Department the applicable license fee stated in § 8-806 of this subtitle.

(d) License -- Qualifications. -- The Department shall license a person who meets the requirements of this subtitle.

(e) Term. -- A certificate or license is issued for 1 year unless the certificate or license is renewed as provided by this subtitle.

(f) Renewal. -- The Department shall renew the certificate or license of any applicant for a 3-year term if the applicant:

   (1) Submits a renewal application on the form that the Department requires;

   (2) Pays to the Department the applicable fee stated in § 8-806 of this subtitle;

   (3) Complies with applicable continuing education requirements;

   (4) Complies with applicable record keeping and reporting requirements; and

   (5) Otherwise is entitled to be certified or licensed.

(g) Farm operator's plan development certificate. --

   (1) The Department may issue a farm operator's plan development certificate to a person operating a farm for the development of that person's own nutrient management plan.

   (2) The certificate is valid provided the person operating the farm:

      (i) Has paid the one-time fee provided in § 8-806 of this subtitle;

      (ii) Has passed an examination as determined by the Department;

      (iii) Complies with applicable continuing education requirements;

      (iv) Complies with applicable record keeping and reporting requirements; and

      (v) Otherwise is entitled to be certified.

HISTORY: 1992, ch. 137; 1998, ch. 324, § 3; ch. 325, § 3; 2004, chs. 428, 433.