(b) Any county or city director hired after the effective date of this statute shall take all steps necessary to be accredited as a veterans service organization (VSO) representative within eighteen months of such appointment. Accreditation shall mean the authority granted by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans and their family members in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for benefits pursuant to section 5902 of Title 38 U.S.C. and section 14.628 of Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations. Once an application for accreditation is approved by the General Counsel of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the applicant is notified of this action, the director of the county or city veterans service agency shall file a copy of the accreditation certificate from the appropriate veterans service organization with the director of the division. Such accreditation shall be maintained during the duration of his or her status as a director of such county or city veterans service agency. The director of the division may determine that a satisfactory completion of a course of instruction on veterans' benefits approved by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and conducted by the division may fulfill the requirements of this subdivision.

(c) During the time a director is working toward accreditation pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subdivision, such individual may provide services to veterans and their family members as defined in section three hundred fifty-eight of this article other than the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for benefits under federal statutes and regulations.