(1) An applicant for licensure as a mortician shall submit a completed application form provided by the department, the application fee, and the following documents in order to receive permission to take the jurisprudence examination:

(a) a certified transcript of 60 semester credit hours or, if courses are offered on a quarter calendar, 90 quarter credit hours sent directly to the board office from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education;

(b) a diploma and certified transcript, sent directly to the board office from a college of mortuary science accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) or its successor, demonstrating an associate degree and credit hours obtained in addition to those obtained under (1)(a);

(c) a completed internship agreement on a form provided by the department; and

(d) a certified copy of the certification form verifying successful completion of the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Board ("Conference") examination sent directly to the board office from the Conference.

(2) No credits used to satisfy the credit hours in (1)(a) may be used to satisfy the credit hours in (1)(b).

(3) A diploma and certified transcript demonstrating a baccalaureate degree from an ABFSE or successor accredited college of mortuary science will serve to meet the requirements of (1)(a) and (b).

(4) Upon submission of all required information and successful completion of the jurisprudence examination, mortician applicants shall qualify to receive a mortician intern license. In order to receive an unrestricted mortician's license, interns must submit an additional application on a form provided by the department and provide evidence of successful completion of the internship requirements as set forth in ARM 24.147.504.

(5) Applicants having served their internship in another state shall complete the application form for a mortician license and submit documentation of completion of an internship substantially equivalent to Montana internship requirements.

(6) Board staff may issue licenses in cases of routine applications. The board will review all complete nonroutine applications received by the board office prior to the board meeting in accordance with department policy.