A. The Oklahoma Funeral Board shall have the power to issue reciprocal licenses to applicants licensed in other states which have equal or like educational requirements as required by this state or the Board.

B. A license as an embalmer or funeral director shall be issued without examination to an out-of-state resident intending to become a resident of this state, who submits to the Board satisfactory evidence that said applicant has met all the requirements of the Funeral Services Licensing Act and pays the fees required by Section 396.4 of this title.

C. The Board may issue an appropriate license without further apprenticeship to a resident of a state which does not have the same educational requirements necessary for reciprocity with this state, if said applicant:

1. Has a current license to practice as an embalmer or funeral director in the state of residence of the person;

2. Has been an active embalmer or funeral director practicing in the state of residence of the person for at least five (5) years;

3. Has never been convicted of a felony crime that substantially relates to the occupation of an embalmer or funeral director and poses a reasonable threat to public safety, and has never been convicted of a misdemeanor related to funeral service;

4. Has never had said license revoked or suspended;

5. Is not currently facing disciplinary action;

6. Intends to practice in this state;

7. Has filed such documents as are required by the Board;

8. Has paid the fees as required by Section 396.4 of this title;

9. Is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States;

10. Is a graduate of an accredited program of mortuary science;

11. Has passed the National Board Examination or State Board Examination; and

12. Has passed the Oklahoma State Law Examination.

D. As used in this section:

1. "Substantially relates" means the nature of criminal conduct for which the person was convicted has a direct bearing on the fitness or ability to perform one or more of the duties or responsibilities necessarily related to the occupation; and

2. "Poses a reasonable threat" means the nature of criminal conduct for which the person was convicted involved an act or threat of harm against another and has a bearing on the fitness or ability to serve the public or work with others in the occupation.

Added by Laws 1941, p. 237, § 9, emerg. eff. May 20, 1941. Amended by Laws 1943, p. 133, § 1, emerg. eff. March 5, 1943; Laws 1945, p. 193, § 3, emerg. eff. April 28, 1945; Laws 1983, c. 163, § 5; Laws 1999, c. 64, § 8, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 2019, c. 363, § 15, eff. Nov. 1, 2019.