§30-6-17. Apprenticeship.

(a) After July 1, 2022, the board shall issue a registration to be an apprentice funeral service licensee to an applicant who meets the following requirements:

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

(2) Is 18 years of age or over;

(3) Is a citizen of the United States or be eligible for employment in the United States;

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

(5) The required 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of college or university credits and mortuary school can be completed prior to, during, or after the apprenticeship; and

(6) Has paid the appropriate fees.

(b) Any person that commences an apprenticeship prior to January 1, 2003, may continue to serve such apprenticeship and is not subject to the requirements set forth in this section, but is subject to board approval.

(c) The board may set the requirements for an apprenticeship, including the manner in which it shall be served and the length of time, which shall not be more than one year for a funeral service licensee and shall not be more than two years for a funeral director.

(d) No licensed funeral director or licensed embalmer shall be permitted to register or have registered more than five apprentices under his or her license at the same time.