(a) A 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 eighteen (18) 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 six (6) of the eighteen (18) months' apprenticeship established in this section;

(4) Make application to the State Board of Embalmers, Funeral Directors, Cemeteries, and Burial Services and attach the fee;

(5)

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

(B) To be eligible to take the examination under subdivision (a)(5)(A) of this section, an applicant shall be an active apprentice who is currently registered with the board; and

(6)

(A) Undergo and pass a criminal background check conducted by the Department of Arkansas State Police.

(B) The board may charge and collect a processing fee in an amount necessary to recover the cost imposed by the department for the criminal background check under subdivision (a)(6)(A) of this section.

(b) (1) (A) A person desiring to engage in the business of funeral directing in this state shall serve an apprenticeship in this state for at least eighteen (18) months.

(B) An apprentice shall:

(i) Register with the board on forms provided by the board and by attaching the fee as prescribed by the board;

(ii) Upon registration with the board, be supervised by a funeral director licensed by the board;

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

(iv)

(a) By the tenth day of the following month, file with the board individual case reports of services arranged by the apprentice.

(b) A case report under subdivision (b)(1)(B)(iv)(a) of this section shall be signed by the apprentice and the licensed funeral director under whose supervision the work was perfomed.

(2) Before an apprenticeship under this section begins, a licensed funeral director who is supervising an apprenticeship shall record a notice of the apprenticeship with the board.

(3) The board may suspend or revoke an apprenticeship under this section for a violation of this subchapter or § 23-61-1101 et seq.

(4) 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)

(1) The board shall require applicants for licensure as funeral directors to successfully complete up to twenty (20) hours of classroom instruction in funeral service practices and ethics, laws, and rules affecting funeral service.

(2) Only courses of instruction approved by the board shall satisfy the requirement under subdivision (c)(1) of this section.