147-54.4. Certification of local government property mappers.

(a) Definitions. - The following definitions apply in this section:

(1) Department. - The Department of the Secretary of State.

(2) Large-scale. - A scale that uses an inch to represent no more than 400 feet.

(3) Local government. - A county as defined in G.S. 153A-10 and a city as defined in G.S. 160A-1.

(4) Property mapper. - A person who is employed by a local government and is responsible for creating and maintaining large-scale cadastral maps.

(b) Certification. - The Department shall establish a certification program for property mappers. The purpose of the program is to protect and enhance the State's investment in local government large-scale cadastral maps. To be certified as a property mapper, an applicant must meet the following minimum requirements and the additional requirements set by the Department:

(1) Be at least 18 years old.

(2) Hold a high school diploma or certificate of equivalency.

(3) Achieve a passing score in courses of instruction approved by the Department covering the following topics:

a. The principles and techniques of property mapping.

b. The laws of North Carolina governing the listing, appraisal, and assessment of real property for taxation.

The Department shall establish requirements for certification as a property mapper that are in addition to these minimum requirements. The additional requirements shall ensure that an applicant who is certified as a property mapper has the minimum skills necessary to create and maintain large-scale cadastral maps. In establishing these additional requirements, the Department may consult with the advisory committee on land records created by G.S. 147-54.3(f), the North Carolina Property Mappers' Association, and other relevant professional groups. The additional requirements may include mapping experience and a passing score on an examination administered by the Department.

(c) Renewal. - A certification as a property mapper must be renewed every two years. Attendance of 24 hours of continuing education approved by the Department is a condition of renewal of a certification. The Department shall publish a list of courses acceptable for meeting this continuing education requirement.

(d) Application and Fees. - An applicant for certification as a property mapper or renewal of certification as a property mapper must file an application with the Department. The applicant must submit a fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) with the application. Fees collected under this section shall be credited to the General Fund.

(e) Rules. - The Department may adopt rules to implement this section. Chapter 150B of the General Statutes governs the adoption of rules by the Department.