1. Each applicant for a license to practice funeral directing shall furnish evidence to establish to the satisfaction of the board that he or she is at least eighteen years of age, and possesses a high school diploma, a general equivalency diploma, or equivalent thereof, as determined, at its discretion, by the board.

2. Every person desiring to enter the profession of embalming dead human bodies within the state of Missouri and who is enrolled in a program accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, any successor organization, or other accrediting entity as approved by the board shall register with the board as a practicum student upon the form provided by the board. After such registration, a student may assist, under the direct supervision of Missouri licensed embalmers and funeral directors, in Missouri licensed funeral establishments, while serving his or her practicum. The form for registration as a practicum student shall be accompanied by a fee in an amount established by the board.

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3. Each applicant for a license to practice embalming shall furnish evidence to establish to the satisfaction of the board that he or she:

(1) Is at least eighteen years of age, and possesses a high school diploma, a general equivalency diploma, or equivalent thereof, as determined, at its discretion, by the board;

(2) Has completed a funeral service education program accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, any successor organization, or other accrediting entity as approved by the board. If an applicant does not complete all requirements for licensure within five years from the date of his or her completion of an accredited program, his or her registration as an apprentice embalmer shall be automatically cancelled. The applicant shall be required to file a new application and pay applicable fees. No previous apprenticeship shall be considered for the new application;

(3) Upon due examination administered by the board, is possessed of a knowledge of the subjects of embalming, anatomy, pathology, bacteriology, mortuary administration, chemistry, restorative art, together with statutes, rules and regulations governing the care, custody, shelter and disposition of dead human bodies and the transportation thereof or has passed the national board examination of the Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards. If any applicant fails to pass the state examination, he or she may retake the examination at the next regular examination meeting. The applicant shall notify the board office of his or her desire to retake the examination at least thirty days prior to the date of the examination. Each time the examination is retaken, the applicant shall pay a new examination fee in an amount established by the board;

(4) Has been employed full time in funeral service in a licensed funeral establishment and has personally embalmed at least twenty-five dead human bodies under the personal supervision of an embalmer who holds a current and valid Missouri embalmer’s license during an apprenticeship of not less than twelve consecutive months. “Personal supervision” means that the licensed embalmer shall be physically present during the entire embalming process in the first six months of the apprenticeship period and physically present at the beginning of the embalming process and available for consultation and personal inspection within a period of not more than one hour in the remaining six months of the apprenticeship period. All transcripts and other records filed with the board shall become a part of the board files.

4. If the applicant does not complete the application process within the five years after his or her completion of an approved program, then he or she must file a new application and no fees paid previously shall apply toward the license fee.

5. Examinations required by this section and section 333.042 shall be held at least twice a year at times and places fixed by the board. The board shall by rule and regulation prescribe the standard for successful completion of the examinations.

6. Upon establishment of his or her qualifications as specified by this section or section 333.042, the board shall issue to the applicant a license to practice funeral directing or embalming, as the case may require, and shall register the applicant as a duly licensed funeral director or a duly licensed embalmer. Any person having the qualifications required by this section and section 333.042 may be granted both a license to practice funeral directing and to practice embalming.

7. The board shall, upon request, waive any requirement of this chapter and issue a temporary funeral director’s license, valid for six months, to the surviving spouse or next of kin or the personal representative of a licensed funeral director, or to the spouse, next of kin, employee or conservator of a licensed funeral director disabled because of sickness, mental incapacity or injury.