(a) The Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall adopt by rule a process by which a nutrient management technical service provider shall be certified to operate within the State. The certification process shall require a nutrient management technical service provider to complete eight hours of training over each five-year period regarding:
(1) calculating manure and agricultural waste generation;
(2) taking soil and manure samples;
(3) identifying and creating maps of all natural resource features;
(4) use of erosion calculation tools;
(5) reconciling plans using records;
(6) use of nutrient index tools; and
(7) requirements within the Required Agricultural Practices, Medium Farm Operation rules and general permit, and Large Farm Operation rules.
(b) Beginning 45 days after the effective date of the rule adopted by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets under subsection (a) of this section to regulate nutrient management technical service providers, a nutrient management technical service provider shall not create a nutrient management plan for a farm unless certified by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets.