(a) Every licensed embalmer who desires to continue the practice of embalming shall pay to the secretary of the state board of mortuary arts a renewal fee in the amount fixed by the board in accordance with the provisions of Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 65-1727 and amendments thereto. The secretary shall mail a notice of the due date for payment of the renewal fee at least 30 days prior to such date to the last known address of each licensee.

(b) If such licensee shall fail to pay the renewal fee prior to the expiration date, the licensee shall be automatically suspended and denied the right to practice embalming in this state during such suspension. The board may reinstate such lapsed licenses upon payment of the fee in arrears and a reinstatement fee in the amount equal to the renewal fee, except such lapse shall not be over six months in duration.

(c) Any person who fails to reinstate a lapsed license within six months after the lapse of such license may apply for relicensure by making application on a form provided by the board. Relicensure shall be granted upon receipt of proof that the applicant is competent to act as a licensed embalmer, meets current qualifications to act as a licensed embalmer, has satisfied all of the requirements for renewal established by law and has paid the board all back renewal fees as established by the board by rules and regulations.

(d) The expiration date of each license issued or renewed shall be established by rules and regulations of the board. Subject to the provisions of this subsection, each license shall be renewable on a biennial basis upon the filing of a renewal application prior to the expiration date of the license and upon payment of the renewal fee established pursuant to Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 65-1727 and amendments thereto. To provide for a system of biennial renewal of licenses, the state board of mortuary arts may provide by rules and regulations that licenses issued or renewed for the first time after the effective date of this act may expire less than two years from the date of issuance or renewal. In each case in which a license is issued or renewed for a period of time less than two years, the board shall prorate to the nearest whole month the license or renewal fee established pursuant to Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 65-1727 and amendments thereto. The provisions of this subsection (d) shall not apply to apprentice licenses or periods of apprenticeship under Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 65-1701a and amendments thereto.

(e) Every licensed embalmer who desires to be actively engaged in the practice of embalming in Kansas shall submit with the renewal application evidence of satisfactory completion of a program of continuing education required by the board. The board by duly adopted rules and regulations shall establish the requirements for such program of continuing education as soon as possible after the effective date of this act.

(f) Every licensed embalmer who is not actively engaged in the practice of embalming in the state shall be exempt from the continuing education requirements set forth in subsection (e) of this section. If the person becomes engaged in the active practice of embalming, such person shall within the first full year after becoming engaged in active practice meet the continuing education requirements specified by the board.