§30-6-8. Embalmer license requirements.

The board shall issue a license to practice embalming to an applicant who:

(a) Is free of a felony conviction bearing a rational nexus to the profession pursuant to §30-1-24 of this code;

(b) Is 18 years of age or over;

(c) Is a citizen of the United States or is eligible for employment in the United States;

(d) Has a high school diploma or its equivalent;

(e) Has completed one of the following education requirements, as evidenced by a transcript submitted to the board for evaluation:

(1)(A) Has an associate degree from an accredited college or university; or

(2) Has successfully completed at least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of academic work in an accredited college or university toward a baccalaureate degree with a declared major field of study; and

(3) Has graduated from a school of mortuary science, accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, Inc., which requires as a prerequisite to graduation the completion of a course of study of not less than 12 months; or

(B) Has a bachelor degree in mortuary science from an accredited college or university;

(f) Has completed a one-year apprenticeship, under the supervision of a licensed embalmer and funeral director actively and lawfully engaged in the practice of embalming and funeral directing in this state, which apprenticeship consisted of:

(1) Diligent attention to the work in the course of regular and steady employment and not as a side issue to another employment; and

(2) The apprentice taking an active part in:

(A) The operation of embalming not less than 35 dead human bodies; and

(B) Conducting not less than 35 funeral services;

(g) Passes, with an average score of not less than 75 percent, the following examinations:

(1) The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards examination at a testing site provided by the national conference, which passage is a condition precedent to taking the state law examination;

(2) The West Virginia Laws, Rules, and Regulations Examination, administered by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards; and

(3) Any other examination required by the board; and

(h) Has paid all the appropriate fees.

A license to practice embalming issued by the board prior to July 1, 2012, shall for all purposes be considered a license issued under this section: Provided, That a person holding a license issued prior to July 1, 2012, must renew the license pursuant to the provisions of this article.