Subdivision 1. License.
A person who offers certification services to producers as part of the program must satisfy all criteria in subdivision 2 and be licensed by the commissioner. A certifying agent is ineligible to provide certification services to any producer to whom the certifying agent has also provided technical assistance. Notwithstanding section 16A.1283 , the commissioner may set license fees.
Subd. 2. Certifying agent requirements.
In order to be licensed as a certifying agent, a person must:
(1) be an agricultural conservation professional employed by a soil and water conservation district or the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a Minnesota certified crop advisor recognized by the American Society of Agronomy, or an individual with agricultural conservation experience approved by the commissioner. The commissioner may establish eligibility criteria by rule;
(2) have passed a comprehensive exam, as set by the commissioner, evaluating knowledge of water quality, soil health, best farm management techniques, and the certification instrument; and
(3) maintain continuing education requirements as set by the commissioner.