Prior to submitting an initial application, an applicant shall successfully complete a minimum of 80 hours of training verified and approved by the Police Training and Standards Commission (PTSC), which is valid for a period of 5 years. Any applicant who has received entry-level academy police training required by PTSC or held police certification in a state other than Maryland may be considered by PTSC as having completed part, or all, of the 80-hour training required for an original application. In-Service Training. All special police officers shall successfully complete 12 hours of PTSC-approved in-service training, during the 3 years of a commission, which may be presented as in total or divided across the 3 years of a commission related to at least one of the 61 special police training objectives. A certification of completion shall be provided by the special police authorized trainer verifying the successful completion of the required 80 hours of training. Audit Authority. All certification and training documentation and procedures approved by PTSC are subject to compliance audits. Exemptions. An applicant who has, within the past 5 years of the date of application, been a police officer or successfully completed the PTSC Entry Level police officer training is exempt from completing the initial 80-hour MPCTC special police officers training. A person commissioned as a special police officer prior to October 1, 2020, shall be required to complete the in-service PTSC-approved training for the period their commission is effective, but shall not be required to complete the 80-hour PTSC-approved training. The minimum 80-hour training requirement for initial applicants shall not be required until October 1, 2020. Any other exemptions shall be considered, and approved by the Secretary when appropriate. Training Certification. An entity approved by PTSC that provides the initial 80-hour special police officer training and any portion(s) of in-service training will provide persons who successfully complete the training with written certification. The written certification shall be included in initial and renewal applications.