§844. Renewals

A. Every certificate holder under this Chapter who continues the practice of the science of embalming, the practice of funeral directing, or continues to operate a funeral establishment in this state shall renew its license by paying to the secretary of the board on or before December thirty-first of each year the renewal fee set forth by rule in accordance with R.S. 37:845. Any certificate holder whose renewal fee is not received by the board by December thirty-first shall be deemed delinquent. A notice of delinquency shall be sent via certified mail to the certificate holder by the board. The notice shall state that the deadline for payment has lapsed and that if the certificate holder intends to renew, payment of the renewal fee shall be submitted to the board within five business days of receipt of the notice. No penalties, reinstatement fees, or late fees shall be assessed and no reinspection shall be required if the certificate holder submits payment of the renewal fee within five business days of receipt of the notice. If the board does not receive the renewal fee within the five business days provided for by this Subsection, such certificate holder shall be subject to any penalty, reinstatement fees, or late fees authorized by law.

B. Renewal fees sent through the mail shall be deemed timely received if mailed on or before the due date. If the renewal fee is received by the board after the due date, the timeliness of the mailing shall be shown by an official United States postmark or by official receipt or certificate from the United States Postal Service or a commercial mail service, made at the time of mailing that indicates the date thereof.

C. Any certificate holder whose renewal fee for 2017 was received by the board by February 1, 2017, and who paid a reinstatement of certificate fee or any penalty for late payment shall be issued a refund by the board for all amounts paid in excess of the annual renewal fee. This refund shall be issued no later than September 1, 2017.

Amended by Acts 1977, No. 283, §4; Acts 2017, No. 251, §1, eff. June 14, 2017.