Upon request of any person holding a key position in any municipality governed under the provisions of this act who has served in such key position for a period of at least ten years from the date of his appointment, the committee shall within a reasonable time examine such applicant and issue certificates of qualification to those found qualified. The committee may require attendance upon and successful completion of one or more programs of in-service training for the certificate of qualification authorized by this act.
N.J.S. § 40:46-45