TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING
REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers is claiming an exemption from the Administrative Process Act in accordance with § 2.2-4006 A 4 a of the Code of Virginia, which excludes regulations that are necessary to conform to changes in Virginia statutory law where no agency discretion is involved. The Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers will receive, consider, and respond to petitions by any interested person at any time with respect to reconsideration or revision.
Title of Regulation: 18VAC65-20. Regulations of the Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers (amending 18VAC65-20-151).
Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-2816.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Effective Date: September 26, 2012.
Agency Contact: Lisa Russell Hahn, Executive Director, Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233-1463, telephone (804) 367-4424, FAX (804) 527-4637, or email lisa.hahn@dhp.virginia.gov.
Summary:
The amendments change the continuing education requirements for funeral services licensees, funeral directors, and embalmers from 10 hours every two years to five hours per year and allow the subject matter to include federal laws and regulations as well as Virginia law and regulations.
18VAC65-20-151. Continued competency requirements for renewal of an active license.
A. Funeral service licensees, funeral directors or funeral embalmers shall be required to have completed a minimum of 10 five hours per year of continuing education offered by a board-approved sponsor for licensure renewal in even years in courses that emphasize the ethics, standards of practice, preneed contracts and funding, or federal or state laws and regulations governing the profession of funeral service in Virginia. One hour per year shall cover compliance with laws and regulations governing the profession, and at least one hour per year shall cover preneed funeral arrangements.
B. Courses must be directly related to the scope of practice of funeral service. Courses for which the principal purpose is to promote, sell or offer goods, products or services to funeral homes are not acceptable for the purpose of credit toward renewal.
C. The board may grant an extension for good cause of up to one year for the completion of continuing education requirements upon written request from the licensee prior to the renewal date. Such extension shall not relieve the licensee of the continuing education requirement.
D. The board may grant an exemption for all or part of the continuing education requirements for one renewal cycle due to circumstances determined by the board to be beyond the control of the licensee.
VA.R. Doc. No. R12-3343; Filed August 6, 2012, 11:30 a.m.