(a) The commission by rule may adopt a system under which certificates expire on various dates during the year. For the year in which the certificate expiration date is changed, certificate fees payable on the date set by commission rule shall be prorated on a monthly basis so that each fire department or other employing entity shall pay only that portion of the certificate fee that is allocable to the number of months during which the certificate is valid. On renewal of the certificate on the new expiration date, the total certificate renewal fee is payable.
(b) The commission shall issue to a person who has held a commission certificate but is no longer employed by an entity that is regulated by the commission a one-time certificate that states the level of certification held by the person on the date the person left the regulated entity’s employment. The commission shall prescribe the procedure under which a person applies for a certificate under this subsection. The commission shall set and collect from the person a fee of not more than $35 for the certificate.