(a) Each regulated aboveground storage tank and its associated secondary containment structure shall be evaluated by a qualified registered professional engineer or a qualified person working under the direct supervision of a registered professional engineer, regulated and licensed by the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers, or by an individual certified to perform tank inspections by the American Petroleum Institute or the Steel Tank Institute, or by a person holding certification under another program approved by the secretary.

(b) Every owner or operator shall submit a certification that each regulated tank and its associated secondary containment structure have been evaluated by a qualified person as set forth in subsection (a) of this section and meets the standards established in accordance with section five of this article.

(c) The certification form shall be submitted to the secretary within one hundred eighty days of the effective date of the rules establishing standards that are adopted in accordance with section five of this article. Subsequent certifications shall be due at regular intervals thereafter as established by the secretary by legislative rule, but not more frequently than once per calendar year.

(d) Any person who performs a tank evaluation in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, a responsible person designated by the owner or operator and any other person designated by the secretary by legislative rule may certify aboveground storage tanks in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.