Any person who takes office as district magistrate judge on January 10, 1977, and any person who thereafter is elected or appointed to the office of district magistrate judge and, in either event, and who has not been regularly admitted to practice law in Kansas, as required by subsection (c)(3) of Kan. Stat. Ann. § 20-334, shall be issued a temporary certificate permitting such judge to commence upon the duties of office, conditioned that such judge becomes certified as being qualified to hold such office, as provided herein. The supreme court shall provide by rule for the examination of such district magistrate judges, in order to ensure that each such district magistrate judge possesses the minimum skills and knowledge necessary to carry out the duties of such office. Such examination shall be administered without charge, and shall be given at least once each six months at a time and place designated by the supreme court. If a district magistrate judge fails to successfully complete such examination within eighteen (18) months after the date said judge takes office, said judge shall forfeit his or her office and the district magistrate judge position for which such judge was elected or appointed shall be vacant at the expiration of such eighteen-month period. A district magistrate judge who fails to successfully complete any examination may take such examination again at the next time it is offered prior to the expiration of such eighteen-month period. Any person who fails to successfully complete the examination within the prescribed time shall be ineligible for election or appointment as a district magistrate judge, unless such person subsequently meets all the qualifications prescribed by subsection (c)(3) of Kan. Stat. Ann. § 20-334.

Any person who successfully completes the examination administered under this section shall be certified by the supreme court as qualified to hold such office. Any district magistrate judge who has been so certified shall be eligible for reelection or retention in office as provided in this act.

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The supreme court shall prepare a manual which shall contain the substantive and procedural rules of law and principles of judicial conduct which are deemed necessary to be understood and practiced by a district magistrate judge. Such manual shall be given to each district magistrate judge who is required to be examined under this section subsequent to the time of such judge’s election or appointment. From time to time, as the necessity arises, such manual shall be amended and supplemented to reflect changes in the law or code of judicial conduct.