(1) Any person employed in the state of Montana to work as a commercial vehicle inspector, after December 27, 2002, must meet or exceed these minimum standards:

(a) be a citizen of the United States;

(b) be at least 18 years of age;

(c) be fingerprinted and a search made of the local and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record;

(d) not have been convicted of a crime for which the applicant could have been imprisoned in a federal or state penitentiary;

(e) be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation;

(f) be a high school graduate or have passed the general education development test and have been issued an equivalency certificate by the superintendent of public instruction or by an appropriate issuing agency of another state or of the federal government;

(g) be examined by a licensed physician, who is not the applicant's personal physician, appointed by the employing authority to determine if the applicant is free from any mental or physical condition that might adversely affect performance by the applicant of the duties of a commercial vehicle inspector;

(h) successfully complete an oral examination conducted by the appointing authority or its designated representative to demonstrate the possession of communication skills, temperament, motivation, and other characteristics necessary to accomplish the duties and functions of a commercial vehicle inspector; and

(i) possess or be eligible for a valid Montana driver's license.

(2) The term commercial vehicle inspector is defined in 44-4-302, MCA.

(3) Notice of appointment or termination shall be in accordance with ARM 23.14.504.

(4) Any commercial vehicle inspector who fails to meet these minimum qualifications or who fails to obtain a commercial vehicle basic certificate, forfeits the position, authority, and arrest powers accorded a commercial vehicle inspector of this state pursuant to 7-32-303(5) (a) , MCA.