§ 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.