FEES FOR CERTIFICATES

(a) The commission shall set and collect a fee for each certificate that the commission issues or renews under this subchapter, except that if a person holds more than one certificate the commission may collect only one fee for the renewal of those certificates. The commission by rule shall set the amount of the fee under this subsection in an amount designed to recover the commission's costs in connection with issuing certificates under this subchapter, including the cost to the commission of obtaining fingerprint-based criminal history record information under Section 419.0325. The employing agency or entity shall pay the fee in the manner prescribed by commission rule. A certificate issued under this subchapter is valid for one or two years as determined by commission rule. (b) The commission shall set and collect a fee for each examination given to fire protection personnel for basic certification under this subchapter. The amount of the fee may not exceed the cost of preparing, printing, administering, and grading the examination. (c) The commission may revoke, refuse to issue, or refuse to renew the certificate of fire protection personnel for failure to pay a fee required under Subsection (a). (d) The commission shall send the fees authorized by Subsection (a) and Section 419.033(b) to the comptroller. The comptroller shall deposit the fees in the general revenue fund.