(a) The board shall issue a license to practice funeral directing to an applicant who meets the following requirements:

Terms Used In West Virginia Code 30-6-9

  • Board: means the West Virginia Board of Funeral Service Examiners. See West Virginia Code 30-6-3
  • Funeral: means a service, ceremony, or rites performed for the deceased with a body present. See West Virginia Code 30-6-3
  • Funeral directing: means the business of engaging in the following:

    (a) The shelter, custody, or care of a deceased. See West Virginia Code 30-6-3

  • Funeral director: means a person licensed to practice funeral directing. See West Virginia Code 30-6-3
  • License: means a license, which is not transferable or assignable, to:

    (a) Practice embalming and funeral directing. See West Virginia Code 30-6-3

  • Licensee: means a person holding a license issued under the provisions of this article. See West Virginia Code 30-6-3
  • Person: means an individual, partnership, association, corporation, not-for-profit organization, or any other organization. See West Virginia Code 30-6-3

(1) Completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; and

(2) Completed a two-year apprenticeship under the supervision of a licensee in charge or an active licensed funeral director; and

(3) Has paid all the appropriate fees.

(b) The two-year apprenticeship must consist of the following work:

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

(2) Conducting not less than 35 disposition arrangements for individuals;

(3) Conducting not less than 35 funeral and/or memorial services; and

(4) Passes with an average score of not less than 75 percent, the West Virginia Laws, Rules, and Regulations Examination.

(c) A license to practice funeral directing issued by the board prior to July 1, 2002, shall for all purposes be considered a license issued under this section: Provided, That a person holding a license issued prior to July 1, 2022, must renew the license pursuant to the provisions of this article.