Examinations; applications; qualifications; fee

Commencing in 1968, the Director of the Division of Taxation shall, annually, in March and September of each year, hold examinations of applicants for certification as tax assessor. An applicant for examination shall, not less than 30 days before an examination, present to the director written application on forms provided by the division together with satisfactory proof that the applicant is not less than 21 years of age, is a citizen of the United States, is of good health and free from disabling physical and mental defects, is of good moral character, has obtained a certificate or diploma issued after at least 4 years of study in an approved secondary school or has received an academic education considered and accepted by the Commissioner of Education as fully equivalent, and has graduated from a 4-year course at a college of recognized standing. An applicant who does not meet the college education requirement may substitute full-time experience in real estate appraisal work or experience in property tax assessment work on a year-for-year basis. Such application shall not be considered by the director unless accompanied by payment of a fee in the sum of $10.00 to the order of the State Treasurer. Examinations shall be written, or both written and oral, shall be of such character as fairly to test and determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of the person tested actually to perform the duties of assessor, and shall be weighted in a manner to be prescribed by the director.