(1) Any person desiring to be licensed as a funeral director shall apply to the licensing authority to take the licensure examination. The licensing authority shall examine each applicant who has remitted an examination fee set by rule of the licensing authority not to exceed $200 plus the actual per applicant cost to the licensing authority for portions of the examination and who the licensing authority certifies has:

(a) Completed the application form and remitted a nonrefundable application fee set by rule of the licensing authority not to exceed $200. A member of the United States Armed Forces, such member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces who separated from service within the 2 years preceding application for licensure are exempt from the application fee. To qualify for the application fee exemption, an applicant must provide a copy of a military identification card, military dependent identification card, military service record, military personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation document that indicates such member is currently in good standing or such veteran was honorably discharged.

(b) Submitted proof satisfactory to the licensing authority that the applicant is at least 18 years of age and is a recipient of a high school degree or equivalent.

(c) Made disclosure of the applicant’s criminal records, if any, as required by s. 497.142. The applicant shall submit fingerprints in accordance with s. 497.142. The applicant may not be licensed under this section unless the licensing authority determines the applicant is of good character and has no demonstrated history of lack of trustworthiness or integrity in business or professional matters.

(d)1. Received an associate in arts degree, associate in science degree, or an associate in applied science degree in mortuary science approved by the licensing authority; or

2. Holds an associate degree or higher from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and is a graduate of a course of study in mortuary science or funeral service arts approved by the licensing authority from a college or university accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education.

(e) Submitted proof of completion of a course on communicable diseases approved by the licensing authority.

(2) The licensing authority shall license the applicant as a funeral director if she or he:

(a) Passes an examination on the theory and practice of funeral directing and funeral service arts; however, the licensing authority may approve by rule the use of a national examination, such as the funeral service arts examination prepared by the Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, in lieu of this examination requirement.

(b) Passes an examination approved by the department on the local, state, and federal laws and rules relating to the disposition of dead human bodies.

(c) Completes a 1-year internship under a licensed funeral director.

(3) Any applicant who has completed the required 1-year internship and has been approved for examination as a funeral director may qualify for a provisional license to work in a licensed funeral establishment, under the direct supervision of a licensed funeral director for 6 months as provided by rule of the licensing authority. However, a provisional licensee may work under the general supervision of a licensed funeral director upon passage of the laws and rules examination required under paragraph (2)(b). The fee for provisional licensure shall be set by rule of the licensing authority but may not exceed $200. The fee required in this subsection shall be nonrefundable and in addition to the fee required by subsection (1). This provisional license may be renewed no more than one time. A member of the United States Armed Forces, such member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces who separated from service within the 2 years preceding application for licensure are exempt from the initial provisional licensure fee. To qualify for the initial provisional licensure fee exemption, a licensee must provide a copy of a military identification card, military dependent identification card, military service record, military personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation document that indicates such member is currently in good standing or such veteran was honorably discharged.

History.—ss. 1, 5, ch. 79-231; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; s. 1, ch. 89-8; s. 19, ch. 91-137; ss. 9, 122, ch. 93-399; s. 63, ch. 94-119; s. 316, ch. 97-103; s. 4, ch. 98-298; s. 78, ch. 2004-301; s. 29, ch. 2005-155; s. 17, ch. 2010-125; s. 23, ch. 2018-7.

Note.—Former s. 470.009.