(a) When beginning the required apprenticeship, the person shall file an apprentice registration form with the board and shall pay a fee in the amount to be established by the board. The registration shall be valid for a period of three (3) years from the date of registration, or until the registrant has completed the apprenticeship requirements, whichever occurs first.

(b) The apprentice registration form shall contain the name of the registrant, showing that the registrant:

(1) Has attained eighteen (18) years of age;

(2) Is a citizen of the United States;

(3) Is of good moral character;

(4) Has graduated from a high school or has earned a GED® recognized by a state education department; and

(5) Is a bona fide paid employee of an establishment working no less than forty (40) hours per week in the presence of and under the direction and supervision of a licensed funeral director or embalmer.

(c) All persons who are apprentice funeral directors, apprentice embalmers and mortuary school students registered by the board and who are in the process of fulfilling their apprenticeship and educational requirements on or before December 31, 2007, shall not be required to complete the apprenticeship requirements that become effective on January 1, 2008. The apprentices and mortuary school students shall complete all requirements to become licensed by the board as a funeral director or embalmer on or before June 30, 2011.

(d) When beginning the required course of study, the person shall file a student registration form with the board and shall pay a fee in the amount to be established by the board. The registration shall be valid for a period of three (3) years from the date of registration, or until the registrant has completed the apprenticeship requirements, whichever occurs first.