2010 Arkansas Code
Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses
Subtitle 2 - Nonmedical Professions
Chapter 29 - Embalmers, Funeral Directors, and Funeral Establishments
Subchapter 3 - Embalmers and Funeral Directors Law -- Licensing
§ 17-29-302 - Funeral directors -- Qualifications.

17-29-302. Funeral directors -- Qualifications.

(a) Every person who desires to engage in the business of funeral directing in this state shall:

(1) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;

(2) Be a graduate of an accredited high school or the equivalent thereof;

(3) (A) Have served as an apprentice funeral director for not less than twenty-four (24) months in the State of Arkansas under the direct personal supervision of an Arkansas-licensed funeral director.

(B) Completion of the requirement to be a graduate of a school of embalmers as set forth in 17-29-301(a)(3) may be substituted for twelve (12) of the twenty-four (24) months' apprenticeship established in this section;

(4) Make application to the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors and attach the fee as prescribed in 17-29-208; and

(5) Present himself or herself before the board at a time and place fixed by the board and make a passing grade on both the written and oral examinations.

(b) (1) Any person desiring to engage in the business of funeral directing in the State of Arkansas shall serve an apprenticeship of two (2) years in the State of Arkansas under a funeral director licensed by the board, and that person shall actively assist in conducting fifty (50) funerals. Notice of the apprenticeship shall be recorded with the Secretary-treasurer of the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors and by the licensed funeral director supervising the apprenticeship not later than thirty (30) days after the commencement of the apprenticeship.

(2) If any person is a graduate of an accredited mortuary program and has passed the National Board Examination, that person shall be required to serve one (1) year as an apprentice funeral director.

(3) The board shall have the power to suspend or revoke a certificate of apprenticeship for violation of any provision of this subchapter or 17-29-201 et seq.

(c) The board may require applicants for licensure as funeral directors to successfully complete up to twenty (20) hours of classroom instruction in funeral service practices and ethics, and laws, rules, and regulations affecting funeral service. Only courses of instruction approved by the board shall satisfy this requirement.