801—7.2(35A,35B) County commission of veteran affairs training program.

1. 7.2(1)  County veteran service officers shall do the following within one year of appointment or will be subject to removal from office as provided for in Iowa Code section 35B.6(1)“c”:

   1. a. Obtain and maintain all certifications that are federally required and provide documentation to the department.
   2. b. Obtain and maintain national accreditation through instruction provided by the department or a national school of accreditation provided or recognized by NACVSO and any other training required by the commandant. Upon completion, a certificate of satisfactory completion shall be provided to the department for certification and issuance of an Iowa certificate of training.
   3. c. Obtain and maintain a PIV card from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as well as access to the Veterans Benefits Management System and provide the department with documentation. Upon request from a county commission of veteran affairs and based on extenuating circumstances, the commandant may extend the time frame for a veteran service officer to obtain a PIV card prior to being subject to removal from office. The decision of the commandant is final.
   4. d. Counties shall submit to the department annually by July 30 all documentation required by this rule.

2. 7.2(2)  County veteran service officers shall maintain the following on an annual basis or will be subject to removal from office as provided for in Iowa Code section 35B.6(1)“c”:

   1. a. Maintain all certifications that are federally required and annually provide documentation to the department.
   2. b. Maintain national accreditation through continuing education instruction provided by the department or a national school of accreditation provided or recognized by NACVSO and any other training required by the commandant. Attendance at training courses conducted by veterans organizations other than the department or NACVSO may be substituted for the annual school of instruction if the training meets NACVSO accreditation continuing education requirements. Upon completion, a certificate of satisfactory completion shall be provided to the department for certification and issuance of an Iowa certificate of training.
   3. c. Maintain a PIV card from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as well as access to the Veterans Benefits Management System and provide the department with documentation.
   4. d. Counties shall submit to the department annually by July 30 all documentation required by this section.
3. 7.2(3)  County veteran service officers who fail to comply with subrules 7.2(1) and 7.2(2) shall be removed from their positions. Knowing violation of this provision constitutes noncompliance as provided in paragraph 7.1(4)“c.”
4. 7.2(4)  The annual school of instruction and all associated training materials will be provided at the expense of the department and attendees will not be charged for participation in the training.
5. 7.2(5)  Travel, meals, lodging, and miscellaneous expenses incurred while attending the annual school of instruction required by subrules 7.2(2) and 7.2(3) shall be the responsibility of the respective county.
6. 7.2(6)  Any cost of initial training, accreditation, and continuing training that uses state funds shall follow the department’s travel policy. The department’s travel policy overrides county-specific travel policies.
7. 7.2(7)  The department shall maintain documentation regarding any school of instruction required by subrules 7.2(2) and 7.2(3), including but not limited to agendas, presentation dates, attendees, certificate of satisfactory completion of accreditation or continuing education training, and the issuance of certificates of training.
8. 7.2(8)  Inquiries regarding an annual school of instruction shall be directed to the commandant or designee.
9. 7.2(9)  Disputes regarding the annual school of instruction, certificates of training, and related matters shall be reviewed by the commandant, who will render a decision within ten days of receipt of all relevant facts and supporting materials. The decision of the commandant shall be final.

The department shall provide training for county veteran service officers in accordance with Iowa Code section 35A.5(6).

[ARC 9183C, IAB 4/30/25, effective 6/4/25]