MD. Agriculture Code Ann. §  8-803 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Agriculture|Title 8 - Soil Conservation|Subtitle 8 - Nutrient Management|Section 8-803 - Certifications and Licenses -- Application; Issuance; Term; Renewal

    (a)    To apply for certification as a nutrient management consultant, an applicant shall:        (1)    Submit to the Department an application on the form the Department requires; and        (2)    Pay to the Department the certification fee stated in § 8-806 of this subtitle.    (b)    The Department shall certify any individual who:        (1)    Meets the requirements of this subtitle;        (2)    Meets the Department’s educational requirements, including a program on the proper application of nutrients;        (3)    Passes a Department approved examination; and        (4)    (i)    Is employed by a person licensed under this subtitle; or            (ii)    Holds a license as required by this subtitle.    (c)    To apply for a license an applicant shall:        (1)    Submit to the Department an application on the form the Department requires; and        (2)    Pay to the Department the applicable license fee stated in § 8-806 of this subtitle.    (d)    The Department shall license a person who meets the requirements of this subtitle.    (e)    A certificate or license is issued for 1 year unless the certificate or license is renewed as provided by this subtitle.    (f)    The Department shall renew the certificate or license of any applicant for a 3-year term if the applicant:        (1)    Submits a renewal application on the form that the Department requires;        (2)    Pays to the Department the applicable fee stated in § 8-806 of this subtitle;        (3)    Complies with applicable continuing education requirements;        (4)    Complies with applicable record keeping and reporting requirements; and        (5)    Otherwise is entitled to be certified or licensed.    (g)    (1)    The Department may issue a farm operator’s plan development certificate to a person operating a farm for the development of that person’s own nutrient management plan.        (2)    The certificate is valid provided the person operating the farm:            (i)    Has paid the one-time fee provided in § 8-806 of this subtitle;            (ii)    Has passed an examination as determined by the Department;            (iii)    Complies with applicable continuing education requirements;            (iv)    Complies with applicable record keeping and reporting requirements; and            (v)    Otherwise is entitled to be certified.    (h)    A person that holds a license or certificate issued under this section shall comply with all applicable reporting requirements and deadlines established by the Department, including deadlines related to:        (1)    Implementation of the Phosphorus Management Tool developed by the University of Maryland; and        (2)    Submission of soil test phosphorus levels related to nutrient management plans developed in accordance with this subtitle.    (i)    In addition to any penalty authorized under § 8–805 of this subtitle, a person that violates subsection (h) of this section is subject to an administrative penalty not exceeding $250.