1. (1) The department shall offer courses in the principles, methods, and techniques of appraising for property tax purposes property in three fields:

   1. (a) residential property;
   2. (b) agricultural land; and
   3. (c) commercial and industrial property.
2. (2) The department shall conduct an examination for those who have completed a course of instruction in any of the three fields listed in subsection (1).
3. (3) A person may not take the examination for appraising commercial and industrial property unless the person holds a certificate in appraising residential property.

4. (4) The department may schedule and conduct other courses within the state for appraisers, assessors, and department personnel for training in the following subjects:

   1. (a) personal property assessment;
   2. (b) property tax administration; and
   3. (c) personnel management, fiscal management, public relations, professional ethics, and related management principles.
5. (5) The department shall issue a certificate to each appraiser, assessor, or other person successfully completing a course of instruction and passing an examination in any of the fields provided for in subsection (1) or any subject provided for in subsection (4).
6. (6) The department shall permit members of the Montana tax appeal board to attend any training provided for in this section without regard to whether a board member has attained a certificate or completed a prerequisite course. Members of the board may not be required to take an examination and the department shall pay for any tuition costs from the department's budget.

History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 602, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 40, Ch. 27, Sp. L. November 1993; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 691, L. 2023.