(b) The commissioner may, in its discretion, waive any of the courses of training or may certify without examination any assessor, provided that such person is:

(i) an active member of the institute of assessing officers of the New York state assessor's association or is a member of the American institute of real estate appraisers; or

(ii) designated as a senior real property appraiser by the society of real estate appraisers; or

(iii) designated a certified assessment evaluator or an accredited assessment evaluator by the international association of assessing officers. 4. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision or any other law, the travel and other actual and necessary expenses incurred by an assessor, in satisfactorily completing courses of training as required by this title or as approved by the commissioner, including continuing education courses prescribed by the commissioner which are satisfactorily completed by any assessor, shall be a state charge upon audit by the comptroller. Candidates for certification as eligible for the position of assessor, other than assessors, shall be charged for the cost of training materials and shall be responsible for all other costs incurred by them in connection with such training. 5. In a city subject to this title, the travel and other actual and necessary expenses incurred by appraisal personnel employed in the office of such assessor in attending courses of training as required by this subdivision shall be a state charge upon audit by the comptroller. 6. To the extent funds are appropriated, all payments pursuant to this section shall be made from the local assistance account.