An Act Regarding the Licensure of Funeral Service Providers

Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §1501,  as amended by PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. J, §§8 and 9, is further amended by adding at the end a new paragraph to read:

Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the board shall permit the provisional licensure under this section of a practitioner of funeral service who has been in continuous practice as a licensed practitioner of funeral service in good standing in another state for 2 continuous years immediately preceding submission of an application under this section if the license from the other state was obtained under substantially similar requirements as the license requirements under this chapter and the applicant provides appropriate letters of recommendation as required by the board. The board shall compile and periodically update a list of states that have licensure requirements for the practice of funeral service substantially similar to those in this chapter. Upon verification of a complete application that meets the requirements of this paragraph, the board shall issue a temporary license to the applicant that expires in 90 days or when the board rules on the application, whichever is sooner. The board shall rule on an application submitted under this paragraph within 90 days of the application's submission. If the board approves an application under this paragraph, the board shall issue a provisional license for the practice of funeral service. A person who receives a provisional license under this paragraph must achieve a passing score on the examination under this section within one year of issuance of a provisional license under this paragraph. The board shall issue a permanent license under this section to a holder of a provisional license under this paragraph upon the provisional license holder's passing an examination under this section. The board shall adopt routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A to carry out the provisions of this paragraph.

summary

This bill creates a process that allows a holder of a license to practice funeral services in another state with substantially similar licensure requirements as this State who has practiced for at least 2 consecutive years immediately prior to applying for a license in this State to receive a provisional license to practice funeral services. To obtain a permanent license, the person is required to pass the examination for licensure to practice funeral services within a year of receiving the provisional license.