(1) An applicant for licensure as a mortician shall submit a completed application form provided by the department, the application fee, and the following documents in order to receive permission to take the jurisprudence examination:

(a) a certified transcript of 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits, sent directly to the board office from a funeral service or mortuary science education program accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) or its successor, granting an associate degree, certificate, or diploma;

(b) a certified transcript of 30 semester credits or 45 quarter credits sent directly to the board office from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in any of the following subjects:

(i) accounting;

(ii) business;

(iii) computer applications;

(iv) communications/speech;

(v) English;

(vi) history;

(vii) mathematics;

(viii) psychology;

(ix) religion;

(x) sociology;

(xi) education;

(xii) biological sciences; or

(xiii) other subjects germane to the practice of mortuary science. 

(c) a completed internship agreement on a form provided by the department; and

(d) a certified copy of the certification form verifying successful completion, within five years prior to the date of application, of the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Board (Conference) examination sent directly to the board office from the Conference.

(2) No credits used to satisfy the credit hours in (1)(a) may be used to satisfy the credit hours in (1)(b).

(3) A certified transcript demonstrating a baccalaureate degree in a funeral service or mortuary science education program from an ABFSE or successor accredited college will serve to meet the requirements of (1)(a) and (b).

(4) Upon submission of all required information and successful completion of the jurisprudence examination, mortician applicants shall qualify to receive a mortician intern license. In order to receive an unrestricted mortician's license, interns must submit an additional application on a form provided by the department and provide evidence of successful completion of the internship requirements as set forth in ARM 24.147.504.

(5) Applicants having served their internship in another state shall complete the application form for a mortician license and submit documentation of completion of an internship substantially equivalent to Montana internship requirements.

(6) Board staff may issue licenses in cases of routine applications. The board will review all complete nonroutine applications received by the board office prior to the board meeting in accordance with department policy.