A person who files a declaration of candidacy for the office of sheriff after September 1, 1979, shall have, within twelve months of assuming office, a certificate of completion of a basic law enforcement training program which complies with standards adopted by the criminal justice training commission pursuant to RCW
43.101.080 and *
43.101.160.
This requirement does not apply to persons holding the office of sheriff in any county on September 1, 1979.