(a) A person making application for a coal miner's certificate of competency and qualification shall be granted a temporary permit to work until such time as an examination is held by the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Licensing or his or her designee and if, in the judgment of the secretary or his or her designee, he or she is so qualified.
(b) All fees collected from the applicants shall be paid into the Coal Mine Examining Fund and paid out of the fund as other moneys are paid out.