SB 348 - This act modifies the process for obtaining a license to practice embalming and to practice funeral directing by repealing much of the current law regarding licensure and proposing a new licensure process. Each applicant for a student license for embalming shall submit an application to the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, with all application fees, and furnish evidence that he or she possesses the necessary qualifications, including current enrollment in, or completion of, an accredited funeral service education program. After the student's application has been approved by the Board, student licensees enrolled in a program may assist in a licensed embalming establishment under the direct supervision of a licensed embalmer. In order to be eligible for full licensure, a student licensee shall demonstrate that he or she, after completing a funeral service education program, has completed an apprenticeship of no less than 6 months, has personally embalmed at least 25 dead human bodies under the personal supervision of a licensed embalmer, and has passed the National Board or State Board Science examination and the Missouri law examination. A student licensee shall have 5 years to complete the requirements for full licensure under this act.
Every person seeking to be an apprentice funeral director shall obtain a provisional funeral director license by submitting an application, paying the application fees, and meeting the qualifications listed in the act, which shall include working as an apprentice funeral director under the personal supervision of a licensed funeral director. An applicant shall have 24 months to complete the requirements or his or her application shall be cancelled.
Every person seeking to be a funeral director shall submit an application, pay the application fees, and meet the qualifications listed in the act, including the successful completion of an accredited program, a course of study in funeral directing, or a qualifying apprenticeship of at least 12 months, and passage of the National Board or State Board Arts examination and the Missouri law examination.
Every person seeking to obtain a funeral director limited license shall meet the qualifications as specified in the act and shall not be authorized to practice funeral directing except in an establishment licensed only for cremation and he or she may perform cremations and related duties. A person with a funeral director limited license may obtain a full funeral director's license by meeting the requirements specified in the act.
This act is similar to provisions in HB 1349 (2021) and HCS/HB 724 (2021).
SARAH HASKINS