Section 7-303 - Qualifications of applicants for mortician or funeral director license.

§ 7-303. Qualifications of applicants for mortician or funeral director license.
 

(a)  Determination of qualifications by Board.-  

(1) The Board shall determine the qualifications necessary for an individual to lawfully engage in the practice of mortuary science or funeral direction and to operate a funeral establishment within this State. 

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, to qualify for a mortician or funeral director license, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the requirements of this section. 

(b)  Examinations; issuance of license.- The Board shall examine all applications for licensure for the practice of mortuary science or funeral direction and shall issue the mortician or funeral director license to an individual who: 

(1) Is judged to be of good moral character; 

(2) Has completed not less than 1 year and not more than 2 years of licensed apprenticeship, unless the Board allowed extensions for additional 1-year terms; 

(3) Except as otherwise provided in this section, has graduated with an associate of arts degree in mortuary science or its equivalent from a school accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education or approved by the Board, or has acquired at least an associate of arts degree and completed a course in mortuary science that is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education or approved by the Board; 

(4) For an individual applying for a license to practice as a mortician, passed the national board examination administered by the Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards of the United States; 

(5) For an individual applying for a license to practice as a funeral director, passed the arts and sciences State board examinations, administered by the Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards of the United States; 

(6) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, has passed a written examination on Maryland law and regulations governing the practice of mortuary science and a practical examination demonstrating competency in the preparation of dead human bodies for final disposition and sanitary science; and 

(7) Has submitted an application to the Board on the required form and has paid a fee set by the Board. 

(c)  License to practice funeral direction.- For an individual applying for a license to practice funeral direction, the practical examination qualification under subsection (b)(6) of this section may not include demonstrating competency in embalming. 

(d)  No guarantee of reciprocity of license.- The Board shall advise each applicant that a license issued under subsection (b) of this section does not guarantee that the applicant will be allowed to practice in any other state. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 43, § 345; 1981, ch. 8, § 2; 1986, ch. 728; 1988, ch. 117; 1990, ch. 6, § 11; 1991, ch. 55, § 1; 1992, ch. 155; 1997, ch. 662; 2007, chs. 185, 186; 2010, ch. 396.]