[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 6]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR652.25]

[Page 461-462]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
   CHAPTER VI--NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF 
                               AGRICULTURE
 
PART 652--TECHNICAL SERVICE PROVIDER ASSISTANCE--Table of Contents
 
                        Subpart B--Certification
 
Sec. 652.25  Alternative application process for individual certification.

    (a) NRCS may enter into an agreement, including a memorandum of 
understanding or other appropriate instrument, with a recommending 
organization that NRCS determines has an adequate accreditation program 
in place to train, test, and evaluate candidates for competency in a 
particular area or areas of technical service delivery and whose 
accreditation program

[[Page 462]]

NRCS determines meets the certification criteria as set forth for the 
technical services to be provided.
    (b) Recommending organizations will, pursuant to an agreement 
entered into with NRCS:
    (1) Train, test, and evaluate candidates for competency in the area 
of technical service delivery;
    (2) Recommend to the NRCS official individuals who it determines 
meet the NRCS certification requirements of Sec. 652.21(a) for providing 
specific categories of technical services;
    (3) Inform the recommended individuals that they must meet the 
requirements of this part, including entering into a Certification 
Agreement with NRCS, in order to provide technical services under this 
part;
    (4) Reassess individuals that request renewal of their certification 
pursuant to Sec. 652.26 through the recommendation of the organization; 
and
    (5) Notify NRCS of any concerns or problems that may affect the 
organization's recommendation concerning the individual's certification, 
recertification, certification renewal, or technical service delivery.
    (c) Pursuant to an agreement with NRCS, a recommending organization 
may provide to the appropriate NRCS official a current list of 
individuals identified by the recommending organization as meeting NRCS 
criteria as set forth in Sec. 652.21(a) for specific categories of 
technical service and recommend that the NRCS official certify these 
individuals as technical service providers in accordance with this part.
    (d) NRCS will make a determination within 60 days. If NRCS 
determines that all requirements for certification are met by the 
recommended individual(s), NRCS will perform the actions described in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(3) of Sec. 652.22.
    (e) NRCS may terminate an agreement with a recommending organization 
if concerns or problems with its accreditation program, its 
recommendations for certification, or other requirements under the 
agreement arise.