(a) There is created the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors.

(b)

(1) The board shall consist of seven (7) members, appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate for a term of three (3) years.

(2) Four (4) members, at least one (1) of whom shall be from each of the four (4) congressional districts, and one (1) at large representative shall be appointed as follows:

(A)

(i) Five (5) members of the board shall be embalmers or funeral directors, or both, licensed under § 17-29-301 et seq. who shall have had at least five (5) consecutive years of active experience as embalmers or funeral directors in Arkansas immediately preceding appointment.

(ii) The Governor shall consult licensed embalmers and funeral directors before making an appointment under this subdivision (b)(2)(A); and

(B) One (1) member of the board shall be designated as a consumer representative. He or she shall be appointed from the state at large, subject to confirmation by the Senate. He or she shall be a full voting member.

(3)

(A) One (1) member of the board shall not be actively engaged in or retired from the profession of embalming and funeral directing, shall be sixty (60) years of age or older, and shall represent the elderly. He or she shall be appointed from the state at large, subject to confirmation by the Senate. He or she shall be a full voting member.

(B) The position may not be held by the person holding the consumer representative position.

(c) No member shall serve more than three (3) consecutive three-year terms on the board.

(d)

(1) The Governor may remove any member of the board for incompetence or improper conduct.

(2) Vacancies caused by death, resignation, or removal before the expiration of the term shall be filled by the Governor for the remainder of the term.

(e) The Governor shall furnish each member appointed to the board a certificate of appointment stating the date of the appointment and the date of the expiration of the appointment. Before entering upon his or her duties, each member appointed to the board shall qualify by taking the oath of office before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths in this state. This shall be noted on the certificate of appointment.

(f) Members of the board may receive expense reimbursement and stipends in accordance with § 25-16-901 et seq.

(g) The board shall:

(1) Administer this subchapter and § 17-29-301 et seq.; and

(2) Make the examinations required by § 17-29-301 et seq. available to applicants at least two (2) times annually at suitable locations during normal business hours.