(a) The secretary shall provide for certification without examination to any person or persons designated by a governing body or owner to have been in charge of the operation or supervising the operation of a water supply system or wastewater treatment facility on the effective date of this act. The certification so issued shall be valid only in regard to the water supply system or wastewater treatment facility as constructed and operated at the time of certification.

(b) The secretary shall provide for certification without examination of operators who, on the effective date of this act, hold certificates of competency attained by examination under the voluntary certification program administered by the department and the Kansas section of the American water works association or the Kansas water pollution control association.