Application

(1) Each person desiring to obtain a new or initial funeral director or embalmer license shall submit to the Board a completed application on a form prescribed by the Board and the fee(s) as required by Chapter 0660-03 of these rules along with the following documentation: (a) A copy of an official photo identification issued by a governmental agency, such as a valid (permanent, current, unexpired, legible) driver’s license, U.S. passport, or federal, state, county or city employee I.D. card showing the individual’s date of birth and address; (b) Two (2) letters of recommendation by a licensed funeral director and/or embalmer which attest to the good moral character and competence of the applicant. Such letters shall be signed and dated on printed stationery; (c) An official transcript or diploma certified by an educational institution showing the applicant has graduated from a high school or has earned a high school equivalency recognized by a state department of education; and (d) For a funeral director applicant, an official transcript showing completion of a study in funeral service education consisting of not less than thirty (30) semester hours, forty- five (45) quarter hours or the equivalent, from a school accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, and, if applicable, official test results of the Arts section of the National Board Examination, or (e) For an embalmer applicant, an official transcript evidencing an associate of arts degree by successful completion of a mortuary science program consisting of not less than sixty (60) semester hours, ninety (90) quarter hours or the equivalent, with a program accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, and official test results of the Science section of the National Board Examination; and (f) Certification of Completion of Apprenticeship Form attesting that either: 1. The applicant for a funeral director license has completed not less than two (2) years of apprenticeship as a bona fide paid employee of an establishment working not less than thirty-two (32) hours per week in the presence of and under the direction and supervision of a licensed funeral director as evidenced by the applicant submitting quarterly reports of apprenticeship training within the allotted time throughout the duration of the apprenticeship, or 2. The applicant for an embalmer license has completed not less than one (1) year of apprenticeship as a bona fide paid employee of an establishment working not less than thirty-two (32) hours per week in the presence of and under the FUNERAL DIRECTORS AND EMBALMERS CHAPTER 0660-05 direction and supervision of a licensed embalmer as evidenced by the applicant submitting quarterly reports of apprenticeship training within the allotted time throughout the duration of the apprenticeship. (2) The apprenticeship requirements listed in subparagraph (f) of this rule do not apply to persons already registered as apprentices as of December 31, 2007 as specified in T.C.A. § 62-5-312(c). (3) An application for licensure as a funeral director or embalmer shall be fully completed by the applicant within ninety (90) days of the Board’s receipt of the application. After ninety (90) days have passed, any incomplete licensure application shall be closed.