(a) The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission shall develop and implement a nutrient applicator training and certification program to certify the competence and knowledge of a person making nutrient application, including the proper utilization of litter.
(b)
(1) The applicator certification program is voluntary for nutrient applicators that apply nutrients outside nutrient surplus areas.
(2) The commission may not require a nutrient applicator to become certified unless the applicator intends to apply nutrients within nutrient surplus areas or otherwise utilize litter produced within nutrient surplus areas.
(c) The commission shall promulgate rules that:
(1) Specify the qualifications and standards for a person to be deemed competent in nutrient application 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 persons enrolling in the training and certification programs; and
(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 making nutrient application.