(1) Applicants for licensure not currently licensed in another state or jurisdiction must submit a completed application on forms provided by the department. Completed applications include appropriate fees and required documentation.

(2) All transcripts must be certified and sent directly from the school(s). Applicants must meet the following education requirements:

(a) minimum of an associate's degree in funeral service or mortuary science from a program accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) or its successor which consists of a minimum of 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits; and

(b) an additional 30 semester credits or 45 quarter credits 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.

(3) Exceptions to the education requirements in (2) are as follows:

(a) if an applicant graduated or attended a foreign school or university instead of obtaining the required education from an accredited U.S. school or university as described in (2), the applicant must submit transcripts or other official documentation which will be evaluated by the board; and

(b) per ARM 24.147.508, relevant military training, service, or education which will be evaluated by the board.

(4) In addition to the education requirements for licensure, applicants must:

(a) have completed an internship as required in 37-19-302, MCA, and ARM 24.147.504;

(b) have passed examinations as described in ARM 24.147.509; and

(c) provide verification of any professional license(s) the applicant has ever held in any state or jurisdiction.

(5) Incomplete applications will automatically expire one year from the date the fee was received. If an application expires, the applicant must reapply and pay all appropriate fees.