(a) No person may serve as an inspector unless he or she successfully completes the examination for Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI) from an examination organization approved by the commissioner and holds a certificate of competency for elevator inspections issued by the division.

(b) The application for elevator inspector shall be in writing, accompanied by a fee of $10, upon a form furnished by the division. The applicant shall state his or her level of education, previous employers, the period of employment, the position held with each employer, and other information required by the division. The applicant shall also submit a copy of his or her QEI card, and a letter from one of his or her previous employers concerning his or her character and experience.

(c) Applications which contain any willfully submitted false or untrue information shall be rejected.

(d) The division shall issue a certificate of competency for elevator inspections to an applicant who successfully completes the examination and who complies with the requirements of this article and legislative rules promulgated by the division.

(e) Any person hired as a private inspector by a county or municipality shall possess a certificate of competency issued by the division.

(f) The division may hire division inspectors or enter into a contract for the services of a division inspector so long as the inspector has been certified competent by the division. The division may hire an inspector supervisor who shall supervise the inspection activities under this article.