(a) In order to maintain the status of a certified coroner, each person certified as such shall complete such additional training per annum during each year in which he or she serves as coroner as provided by the Georgia Coroner's Training Council in its rules and regulations, but such training course shall not be less than 16 hours per year. Each coroner and deputy coroner shall file a certificate of additional training with such council.

(b) No person serving as a coroner shall charge or collect any fee, charge, or cost of any kind for his services, including those fees specified in this article, unless such person is a certified coroner.