There shall be established within the Department a program of continuing education for county, city and town officers responsible for the assessment of real estate, and for members and prospective members of boards of assessors and boards of equalization. Such program shall be composed of basic courses embodying the fundamental instruction essential for the equitable assessment of real estate or tangible personal property and an advanced course designed basically to meet the requirements for full certification by the International Association of Assessing Officers. Such assessing officers and board members attending shall be reimbursed for the actual expenses incurred by their attendance at such program.
Va. Code § 58.1-206