SPONSOR: Perkins
This bill modifies the process for obtaining a student license for the practice of embalming. Under the provisions of this bill, an applicant must submit an application; pay all application fess; and provide evidence that he or she is at least 18 years old, possesses a high school diploma or the equivalent thereof, and is enrolled in or completed a funeral service education program. Upon application approval by the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors a student licensee may, with supervision, assist in the embalming process.
The requirements for full licensure are outlined in the bill and include that the student licensee has completed an apprenticeship of no less than six months, has personally embalmed at least 25 dead human bodies, and has passed the specified exams. Under the provisions of this bill, a student licensee shall have five years to complete the requirements for full licensure.
This bill also modifies the process for obtaining a funeral director license.
An applicant may obtain a provisional license if he or she submits an application to the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors; pays the current application fees; and provides evidence that he or she is at least 18 years of age, possesses a high school diploma or the equivalent thereof, and will work as an apprentice funeral director under the personal supervision of a licensed funeral director. An applicant for a provisional funeral director license shall have 24 months to complete the requirements for full license.
An applicant may obtain a full license to practice as a funeral director if he or she submits an application to the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors; pays all application fees; and submits evidence to establish to the satisfaction of the board that he or she is at least 18, possesses a high school diploma or the equivalent thereof, and has passed the Missouri law examination. The applicant must also do one of the following:
(1) Pass the National Board or State Board Arts examination and successfully completed a program accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education or any successor organization or any other accrediting entity as approved by the Board; (2) Passed the National Board or State Board Arts examination and successfully completed a course of study in funeral directing offered by an institution accredited by a recognized national, regional, or state accrediting body and approved by the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors;
(3) Passed the National Board or State Board Arts examination and successfully completed a qualifying apprenticeship for at least 12 months, during which the applicant conducted and arranged at least 10 funerals; or
(4) Successfully completed a qualifying apprenticeship for at least 12 months, during which the applicant has conducted and arranged at least 25 funerals.
Limited licensure for Funeral Director requirements are also outlined in the bill, and permit licensees to work in funeral establishments licensed only for cremation, including transportation of dead human bodies.
This bill is similar to HB 1491 (2022).
Statutes affected: