House Bill No. 1365 amends existing legislation regarding the qualifications and licensing requirements for funeral directors and embalmers in Oklahoma. The bill establishes the Oklahoma Funeral Directors and Embalmers Examinations and outlines the necessary qualifications for applicants, including age, residency, and educational requirements. Notably, it specifies that applicants must pass relevant examinations, including the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Examination and the Oklahoma Embalmers Examination, with a score of seventy-five or higher. The bill also clarifies the curriculum standards for mortuary science programs and allows for alternative pathways to licensure for those who do not meet the standard qualifications.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for temporary licensing during a declared statewide state of emergency, allowing the Board to issue temporary funeral director or embalmer licenses for one year following the effective date of the act. It also stipulates that funeral directors in charge must hold a current dual license to practice both funeral directing and embalming, while those without such a license as of the act's effective date will be grandfathered in under certain conditions. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 59-396.3
Floor (House): 59-396.3
Floor (Senate): 59-396.3
Engrossed: 59-396.3
Enrolled (final version): 59-396.3