Section 445.03 (2) (a), Stats., allows the examining board to “[m]ake and enforce rules
not inconsistent with this chapter establishing professional and business ethics for the
profession of funeral directors and for the general conduct of the business of funeral
directing, and for the examination and licensing of funeral directors and the registration
of apprentices.
Related statute or rule:
Wisconsin funeral director licensing and apprenticeship requirements are found in ch.
445, Stats., the administrative code in chs. FD 1 to 4 and FD 6, and DSPS administrative
code chs. SPS 1 to 9, which outlines the administrative procedures for issuing licenses.
Plain language analysis:
This rule amends the funeral director apprenticeship requirements and makes them
consistent with changes provided in 2017 Wisconsin Act 304.
This rule requires an applicant for a funeral director’s license to complete a 16-hour
certification class rather than completing one year of college work or equivalent
education in addition to completing the required nine months of instruction in mortuary
science. The rule provides the required instructional content for the class and provides
for a class exam as well as an exam passing standard.
This rule allows the Board to recognize two funeral director apprentices for each funeral
establishment and also recognize additional funeral director apprentices as long as the
funeral home employs at least one full-time licensed funeral director per funeral director
apprentice.
This rule specifies that when an apprentice is in the preparation room the apprentice must
be within the supervising funeral director’s line of sight.
This rule establishes that the Board must continue an apprenticeship for another four-year
term after the registration or extension expires if the apprentice successfully retakes the
16-hour, Board approved, certification class.
Finally, this rule requires that apprentices applying for funeral director licensure must
present affidavits from the licensed funeral directors under whom the apprentice worked
to verify that the apprentice completed the practical apprenticeship work requirements.
Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation:
Federal regulations do not govern requirements for funeral director apprentices.
Comparison with rules in adjacent states:
Illinois: Illinois requires 30 semester hours of college credit plus Mortuary College or
associate or bachelor's degree in mortuary science. Illinois has a funeral director
internship which is considered a one-year apprenticeship. Interns must complete at least
24 funerals, and at least 24 preparations and embalmings. The intern must submit a
report for each of the 24 funerals and each 24 body preparations. Reports are filed every
three months.
Iowa: Iowa requires a student to have a minimum of 60 semester hours as indicated on
the transcript from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of 2.0 or
"C" grade point and a course in mortuary science from a school accredited by the
American Board of Funeral Service Education. The 60 semester hours does not include
any technical or vocational mortuary science courses. Iowa has a one-year funeral
director internship program. Interns must perform 25 embalmings and assist in 25
funerals. Interns must report to the state at 6 months and again at 12 months.
Michigan: Applicants in Michigan for mortuary science licenses are required to have
completed not less than 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours. Michigan’s program
allows for a resident trainee. A resident trainee must complete a list of requirements
which includes 25 embalmings. A residency is for one year and can be renewed up to
two times. Reporting is required on a six-month interval.
Minnesota: Minnesota requires a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in mortuary
science received from an accredited school. Minnesota has an internship program. The
internship can last between one and three years. A total of 25 embalmings and 25
funerals must be completed which is documented upon completion.
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies:
The Funeral Directors Examining Board consulted with representatives of the technical
colleges, the Funeral Service & Cremation Alliance of Wisconsin and other stakeholder groups. No other factual data or analytical methodologies were used.
Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact report:
The proposed rules were posted for a period of 14 days to solicit public comment on
economic impact, including how the proposed rules may affect businesses, local
government units, and individuals. No comments were received.
Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis:
The Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis is attached.
Effect on small business:
These proposed rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats. The Department’s Regulatory Review Coordinator may be contacted by email at Daniel.Hereth@wisconsin.gov, or by calling (608) 267-2435.
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