(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)

(A) Take and pass all examinations required by the board.

(B) To be eligible to take the Arkansas laws, rules, and regulations exam, an applicant shall be an active apprentice who is currently registered with the board.

(b) (1) (A) Except as provided in subdivision (b)(1)(C) of this section, a person desiring to engage in the business of funeral directing in this state shall serve an apprenticeship in this state for two (2) years.

(B) An apprentice shall:

(i) Register with the board on forms provided by the board and by attaching the fee as prescribed in § 17-29-208;

(ii) Be supervised by a funeral director licensed by the board; and

(iii) Actively assist in arranging fifty (50) services as determined by rule of the board.

(C) A person who is a graduate of an accredited mortuary program and has passed the National Board Examination may be licensed to engage in the business of funeral directing after serving an apprenticeship in this state for one (1) year.

(2) A licensed funeral director who is supervising an apprenticeship shall record a notice of the apprenticeship with the Secretary-treasurer of the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors or the Executive Secretary of the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors no later than thirty (30) days after the start of the apprenticeship.

(3) The board may suspend or revoke an applicant's apprenticeship for a violation of this subchapter or § 17-29-201 et seq.

(4) Within a reasonable amount of time after the effective date of this subchapter, a person who is currently in an apprenticeship under this section shall be subject to the provisions in this section concerning an apprenticeship as determined by rules of the board.

(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.