Rule 19. Certification requirements of interested persons.

 (a)  Magisterial district judges, arraignment court magistrates, and judges of the Philadelphia Traffic Court who are not members of the bar of this Commonwealth must complete a course of training and instruction in the duties of their respective offices and pass an examination and be certified by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts prior to assuming office.

 (b)(1)  Any interested individual may apply to the Minor Judiciary Education Board to be enrolled in the course of training and instruction and take the examination to be certified.

   (2)  Any individual who has successfully completed the course of training and instruction and passed the examination, but who has not served as a magisterial district judge, arraignment court magistrate, or judge of the Philadelphia Traffic Court shall be certified for only a two year period, and must complete the continuing education course every year in order to maintain his or her certification.

 (c)  Any individual certified under paragraph (b) who has not served as a magisterial district judge, arraignment court magistrate, or judge of the Philadelphia Traffic Court within two years will be required to take a review course as defined by the Minor Judiciary Education Board and pass an examination in order to maintain certification by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts as qualified to perform duties as required by the Constitution of Pennsylvania.

   Official Note

   This rule was amended in 2006 to limit to two years the period of certification for individuals who have successfully completed the certification course and examination but have not served as judges or arraignment court magistrates. The rule permits individuals who are certified to serve as judges or arraignment court magistrates but who have not done so within two years of certification to take a review course and pass an examination to maintain their certification for an additional two year period. Admission to the review course and recertification examination under paragraph (c) may be limited by the availability of space. In addition, the rule requires that all certified individuals must attend the annual continuing education course to maintain certification.

   The provisions of this Rule 19 adopted November 14, 1990, effective immediately, 20 Pa.B. 5909; amended March 8, 2006, effective July 1, 2006, 26 Pa.B. 1367; amended January 21, 2009, effective immediately, 39 Pa.B. 675. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (318357).