(a) All county assessors and their appropriate staff members are required to participate in a training program which meets the basic criteria set by the property valuation training and procedures commission. The Tax Commissioner shall provide the training programs, which shall commence on or before December 1, 1990. The Tax Commissioner shall determine which persons have met the basic criteria established by the property valuation training and procedures commission for certification in their respective positions. Those persons who have met the basic criteria shall be issued appropriate certificates so signifying. Those persons who have failed to meet the basic criteria shall be required to take additional training in those areas in which they are deficient. Any staff person employed as of the effective date of this section who fails to meet the basic criteria within one calendar year of his or her first training shall be placed on probationary status for six months and, upon continued failure to meet the criteria, shall be dismissed of any duties related to the actual valuation of property. Any staff person employed after the effective date of this section shall become certified within six months of his or her first training, and otherwise shall be placed on probationary status for six months and, unless becoming certified, shall be dismissed of any duties related to the actual valuation of property. The Tax Commissioner shall conduct periodic training sessions of a continuing education nature for all assessors and appropriate staff members whether certified or not. These sessions shall be held at least once a year. All newly elected or newly appointed assessors shall participate in a basic training program prior to taking office. Newly appointed appropriate staff members are required to participate in the next available basic training program. The commission shall further establish requirements for minimum continuing education for each appropriate staff member in order to maintain a certification.

(b) All county commissioners are required to participate in a training program which meets the criteria set by the property valuation training and procedures commission. The Tax Commissioner shall conduct such programs to educate county commissioners in their duties as a board of equalization and review and to make them generally familiar with appraisal techniques.