(a) The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission shall develop and implement a nutrient management education, training, and certification program to certify the minimal competence and knowledge of a person preparing a nutrient management plan.
(b)
(1) The planner certification program is voluntary for planners who develop nutrient management plans outside nutrient surplus areas.
(2) The commission may not require a nutrient planner to become certified unless the planner intends to develop nutrient management plans for areas within nutrient surplus areas or the nutrient management plans or the components of the nutrient management plans are to be paid, in whole or part, by federal or state funds.
(c) The commission shall promulgate rules that:
(1) Specify qualifications and standards for a person to be deemed competent in nutrient management plan preparation and provide for the issuance of documentation of certification to the person;
(2) Specify the conditions under which a certification issued may be suspended or revoked;
(3) Establish fees to be paid by a person enrolling in the training and certification programs;
(4) Provide for the performance of other duties and the exercise of other powers by the Department of Agriculture as may be necessary to provide for the training and certification of a person preparing nutrient management plans; and
(5) Give due consideration to relevant existing agricultural or other certification programs.