The board shall issue a license to practice embalming to an applicant who:

1. (a) Is free of a felony conviction bearing a rational nexus to the profession pursuant to §30-1-24 of this code;
2. (b) Is 18 years of age or over;
3. (c) Is a citizen of the United States or is eligible for employment in the United States;
4. (d) Has a high school diploma or its equivalent;

5. (e) Has completed one of the following education requirements, as evidenced by a transcript submitted to the board for evaluation:

   1. (1)

      1. (A) Has an associate degree from an accredited college or university; or
   2. (2) Has successfully completed at least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of academic work in an accredited college or university toward a baccalaureate degree with a declared major field of study; and
   3. (3) Has graduated from a school of mortuary science, accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, Inc., which requires as a prerequisite to graduation the completion of a course of study of not less than 12 months; or
   4. (B) Has a bachelor degree in mortuary science from an accredited college or university;

6. (f) Has completed a one-year apprenticeship, under the supervision of a licensed embalmer and funeral director actively and lawfully engaged in the practice of embalming and funeral directing in this state, which apprenticeship consisted of:

   1. (1) Diligent attention to the work in the course of regular and steady employment and not as a side issue to another employment; and

   2. (2) The apprentice taking an active part in:

      1. (A) The operation of embalming not less than 35 dead human bodies; and
      2. (B) Conducting not less than 35 funeral services;

7. (g) Passes, with an average score of not less than 75 percent, the following examinations:

   1. (1) The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards examination at a testing site provided by the national conference, which passage is a condition precedent to taking the state law examination;
   2. (2) The West Virginia Laws, Rules, and Regulations Examination, administered by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards; and
   3. (3) Any other examination required by the board; and

8. (h) Has paid all the appropriate fees.

   A license to practice embalming issued by the board prior to July 1, 2012, shall for all purposes be considered a license issued under this section: Provided, That a person holding a license issued prior to July 1, 2012, must renew the license pursuant to the provisions of this article.