PURPOSE: This rule establishes the procedures to be used to secure an embalmer’s license.

1. (1) Every person desiring to enter the profession of embalming dead human bodies within Missouri, and who is enrolled in an accredited institution of mortuary science, shall complete a practicum as required by the accredited institution of mortuary science education.
2. (2) For every person desiring to enter the profession of embalming dead human bodies within Missouri, the board may conduct a criminal history background check through the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Applicants shall submit to the board the applicable fee for the criminal history background check as determined by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
3. (3) After registration with the board as a practicum student in an accredited institution of mortuary science education, the student may assist in a Missouri-licensed funeral establishment preparation room only under the direct supervision of a Missouri-licensed embalmer and may assist in the direction of funerals only under the direct supervision of a Missourilicensed funeral director. Each person desiring to be a practicum student shall register with the board as a practicum student on the form provided by the board in accordance with the requirements of the accredited institution of mortuary science prior to beginning the practicum. Applications shall be accompanied by the applicable fee.
4. (4) During the period of the practicum, the certificate of registration issued to the practicum student shall be displayed, at all times, in a conspicuous location accessible to the public at each funeral establishment where the practicum student is working.
5. (5) The practicum student registration authorizes the registrant to engage in the practice of embalming only at the Missourilicensed funeral establishment(s) designated on the certificate of registration and only under the direct supervision of a Missouri-licensed embalmer. The practicum student may assist in the practice of funeral directing only under the direct supervision of a Missouri-licensed funeral director and only at the Missouri-licensed funeral establishment(s) designated on the certificate of registration. If during the course of the practicum, the practicum student wishes to work at a Missourilicensed funeral establishment other than as designated on the certificate of registration, the practicum student shall notify the board in writing of the name, location, and Missourilicensed funeral establishment license number of the new Missouri-licensed funeral establishment within ten (10) days of the change.
6. (6) Upon successful completion of the practicum, the practicum student registration shall become null and void. A practicum shall be deemed successfully completed when the practicum student has achieved a passing grade on the practicum from the institution of mortuary science at which the practicum student is enrolled.
7. (7) Prior to August 28, 2025, applicants for initial licensure for embalmer shall have graduated from an accredited mortuary science education program accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, any successor organization, or other accrediting entity as approved by the board, successfully completed the National Board Examination–Sciences, National Board Examination–Arts, and the Missouri Law examination administered by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards. Applicants must have completed a twelve- (12-) month apprenticeship program under the supervision of a licensed embalmer of this state, demonstrated devotion of at least thirty (30) hours, on average, per week as an apprentice embalmer. Additionally, the applicant must demonstrate the successful embalming of a minimum of twenty-five (25) dead human bodies.
8. (8) On or after August 28, 2025, applicants for initial licensure for embalmer shall have successfully graduated from an accredited funeral service program accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, any successor organization, or other accrediting entity as approved by the board, successfully completed the National Board Examination–Sciences and the Missouri Law examination administered by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, any successor organization, or other organization approved by the board and complete an embalmer apprenticeship as required in section 333.041, RSMo.
9. (9) The applicant shall demonstrate graduation from an accredited funeral service education program by submitting official transcripts.
10. (10) The applicant shall submit proof of having successfully completed the National Board Examination–Sciences. Prior to completion of the period of apprenticeship, the apprentice embalmer shall successfully complete the Missouri Law examination. The Missouri Law examination covers knowledge of state and federal statutes and rules governing the practice of embalming and funeral directing. Applicants will be deemed eligible to take the Missouri Law examination upon issuance of the Embalmer Apprentice Registration. An applicant is exempt from the requirements of the Missouri Law examination if the applicant has successfully completed the Missouri Law exam for another license within the jurisdiction of the board.

11. (11) The applicant shall provide to the board, on the application approved by the board or through the Division of Professional Registration online licensing system, a completed application for embalmer apprenticeship.

    1. (A) The name(s) of the Missouri-licensed embalmer(s) under whom the applicant will serve. Each supervisor must be licensed with and approved by the board. Any change in supervisor shall also be registered and approved within ten (10) business days after the change has been made.
    2. (B) The name(s), location(s), and license number(s) of the licensed funeral establishment(s) where the apprentice is serving as an apprentice. If the apprentice embalmer begins work at any other licensed funeral establishment during the period of apprenticeship, the apprentice embalmer shall notify the board, on the form provided by the board, within ten (10) business days after the change has been made.
    3. (C) Pay appropriate registration fees and must successfully complete a Missouri State Highway Patrol criminal background check.

12. (12) The embalmer apprentice shall, prior to licensure as embalmer, complete the following:

    1. (A) A qualifying embalmer’s apprentice program as directed by the board for no less than six (6) months and personally embalmed at least twenty-five (25) dead human bodies under the supervision of a Missouri-licensed embalmer. The first twelve (12) embalmings shall be conducted under the direct supervision of the licensed embalmer.

       1. 1. Direct supervision shall mean supervision in which the

licensed embalmer is physically present with the apprentice embalmer and the dead body at the beginning of the embalming process and available for consultation within one (1) hour for the remainder of the embalming process; and

1. (B) Participation as an embalmer apprentice for a minimum of seven hundred eighty (780) hours, an average of thirty (30) hours weekly, within the six- (6-) month apprentice period. The licensed embalmer supervisor shall attest to the completion of the required embalmings.

   1. 1. If an embalmer supervisor is unwilling or unable to

attest to the completion of the embalmer apprenticeship, the applicant may request the board review the apprenticeship records and make a determination as to the completion of the apprenticeship.

1. (13) During the period of the apprenticeship, the certificate of registration issued to the apprentice shall be displayed, at all times, in a conspicuous location accessible to the public at each funeral establishment where the apprentice is working.

2. (14) Transition (Embalmer Apprentice Waiver).

   1. (A) Prior to August 28, 2025, embalmer apprentice registrants were required to complete twelve (12) months of apprenticeship.
   2. (B) Effective August 28, 2025, those apprentice registrants currently enrolled in the twelve- (12-) month apprenticeship may request, in writing, that the board allow a transition from the twelve- (12-) month apprenticeship program to the six- (6-) month apprenticeship. Existing time and cases completed in the current apprenticeship will count toward the six- (6-) month requirement.
3. (15) An Affidavit of Practical Work form provided by the board, signed by both the apprentice and the supervisor(s) attesting the applicant has successfully completed the embalming of twenty-five (25) dead human bodies and completed the required seven hundred eighty (780) hours, average of thirty
4. (30) hours weekly, during the six- (6-) month apprenticeship shall be submitted to the board at the time of completion of the apprenticeship period. Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check at the time of licensure.
5. (16) After satisfactory completion of these requirements, an embalmer’s license shall be issued to an apprentice embalmer registrant upon payment of the applicable fee and subject to the provisions of section 333.330, RSMo.
6. (17) An applicant shall meet the requirements of the board for licensure within five (5) years of his/her graduation from an accredited funeral service education program. If the applicant fails to meet the requirements of the board within the required time, a new application and applicable fees will be required. No previous apprenticeship will be considered for a new application. However, the successful examination results of the National Board Examination or designee of the board will be accepted.
7. (18) A Missouri-licensed embalmer may engage in the practice of embalming in the state of Missouri only in Missouri-licensed funeral establishments. Each embalmer shall inform the board in writing of each funeral establishment name(s), location(s), and license number(s) where the embalmer is performing embalming.
8. (19) A Missouri-licensed embalmer has the ongoing obligation to keep the board informed if the licensee has been finally adjudicated or found guilty, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, in a criminal prosecution under the laws of any state or of the United States, whether or not a sentence was imposed. This information shall be provided to the board within thirty (30) days of being finally adjudicated or found guilty.
9. (20) Should an individual desire to obtain a Missouri embalmer’s license after his/her license has become void under section 333.081.3, RSMo, the individual shall be required to make application and shall be required to complete an apprenticeship consisting of six (6) months with a required seven hundred eighty (780) hours, average of thirty (30) hours weekly during which time s/he shall be required to embalm at least twelve
10. (12) dead human bodies under the direct supervision of a Missouri-licensed embalmer. The applicant shall be required to pay the current applicable apprenticeship and application fees to obtain a new embalmer’s license under this section. No previous apprenticeship or application will be considered for a new application under this section. However, the successful examination results of the National Board Examination–Science and the Missouri Law examination will be accepted.
11. (21) All certificates, registrations, and licenses, or duplicate copies thereof, issued by the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors shall be displayed at all times in a conspicuous location accessible to the public in each office or place of business where they work, for inspection by any duly authorized agent of the board.

AUTHORITY: section 333.041, RSMo Supp. 2025, and sections 333.081, 333.091, 333.111, and 333.330, RSMo 2016.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 120-2.010. Original rule filed Oct. 17, 1975, effective Oct. 28, 1975. Refiled March 26, 1976. Amended: Filed Aug. 16, 1976, effective Dec. 11, 1976. Amended: Filed April 6, 1978, effective July 13, 1978. Emergency rule filed Nov. 9, 1978, effective Nov. 20, 1978, expired Feb. 11, 1979. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Nov. 8, 1978, effective Feb. 11, 1979. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Jan. 13, 1982, effective April 11, 1982. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Dec. 3, 1982, effective March 11, 1983. Amended: Filed July 17, 1989, effective Oct. 12, 1989. Amended: Filed March 26, 1991, effective Sept. 30, 1991. Amended: Filed Aug. 13, 1991, effective Jan. 13, 1992. Amended: Filed Oct. 16, 1991, effective Feb. 6, 1992. Amended: Filed Feb. 1, 1994, effective July 30, 1994. Amended: Filed Aug. 30, 1995, effective Feb. 25, 1996. Amended: Filed Dec. 22, 1997, effective June 30, 1998. Amended: Filed March 24, 1999, effective Oct. 30, 1999. Amended: Filed March 10, 2000, effective Sept. 30, 2000. Amended: Filed Nov. 1, 2001, effective April 30, 2002. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Dec. 31, 2003, effective July 30, 2004. Moved to 20 CSR 2120-2.010, effective Aug. 28, 2006. Amended: Filed Jan. 30, 2007, effective July 30, 2007. Amended: Filed July 22, 2009, effective Jan. 30, 2010. ** Amended: Filed Aug. 30, 2022, effective Feb. 28, 2023. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Dec. 30, 2025, effective June 30, 2026. *Original authority: 333.041, RSMo 1965, amended 1969, 1977, 1981, 1983, 1993, 1998, 2001, 2011, 2018, 2020, 2025; 333.081, RSMo 1965, amended 1981, 2001; 333.091, RSMo 1965, amended 1981, 2009, 2011; 333.111, RSMo 1965, amended 1981, 1993, 1995; and 333.330, RSMo 2009. **Pursuant to Executive Order 21-07, 20 CSR 2120-2.010 was suspended from April 10, 2020 through April 23, 2021.