Related statute or rule:
Wisconsin funeral director licensing requirements are found in ch. 445, Stats., “Funeral Directors”, and administrative rules promulgated by the Funeral Directors Examining Board found in chs. FD 1 to 6. Chapter 440, Department of Safety and Professional Services, and chs. SPS 1 to 9 outline the Department of Safety and Professional Services’ administrative procedures for issuing licenses. Plain language analysis:
This rule changes academic instruction requirements for funeral directors and apprentices and provides administrative guidance for the apprenticeship process.
Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation:
Licensing requirements for funeral directors are established by state law.
Comparison with rules in adjacent states:
Illinois: An Internet search revealed that Illinois requires 30 semester hours of college credit plus Mortuary College or associate or bachelor's degree in mortuary science.
Iowa: An Internet search revealed that Iowa requires a student to have a minimum of 60 semester hours as indicated on the transcript from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of 2.0 or "C" grade point and a course in mortuary science from a school accredited by the American Board of funeral Service Education. The 60 semester hours does not include any technical or vocational mortuary science courses.
Michigan: An Internet search revealed that applicants in Michigan for mortuary science licenses are required to have completed not less than 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours.
Minnesota: An Internet search revealed that Minnesota requires a bachelor of science degree with a major in mortuary science received from an accredited school.
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies:
The Funeral Directors Examining Board reviewed the rule and statutory requirements.
Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact analysis:
Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis:
The Department is currently soliciting information and advice from businesses, local government units, and individuals in order to prepare the economic impact analysis.
Effect on small business:
These proposed rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats. The Department’s Regulatory Review Coordinator may be contacted by email at Kirsten.Reader@Wisconsin.gov, or by calling (608) 267-2435. Agency contact person:
Greg DiMiceli, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Policy Development, 1400 East Washington Avenue, P.O. Box 8366, Madison, Wisconsin 53708; telephone 608-266-0955; email at DSPSAdminRules@wisconsin.gov. Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission:
Comments may be submitted to Greg DiMiceli, Rule Coordinator, Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Policy Development, 1400 East Washington Avenue, P.O. Box 8366, Madison, WI 53708-8366, or by email to DSPSAdminRules@wisconsin.gov. Comments shall be received on or before (TBD) to be included in the record of rule-making proceedings. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEXT OF RULE
Section 1. FD 1.04 is amended to read:
To meet the requirements of 2 academic years of instruction specified in s. 445.045 (1) (d), Stats., an applicant shall submit to the board an official transcript of courses from a college or university recognized by the north central association of colleges and secondary schools, regionally accredited college showing that the applicant has completed at least the a course of study with 60 semester credit hours shown below in the following areas: Minimum Semester
Credit Hours
(See PDF for image)(1) English & Speech 6
(2) Social Sciences such as: 12
(a) Psychology
(b) History
(c) Sociology
(d) Political Science
(e) Economics
(3) Natural Sciences such as: 15
(a) Anatomy
(b) Physiology
(c) Chemistry
(d) Microbiology
(e) Biology
(f) Bacteriology
(4) Business Studies 13
(See PDF for image)(5) Electives 14
TOTAL — 60
(1) English
(2) Speech
(3) Social Sciences
(4) Natural Sciences
(5) Business Studies
(6) Electives
SECTION 2. FD 1.06 is repealed and recreated to read:
FD 1.06 Proof of academic training. (1) To meet the requirements of one academic year of instruction specified in s. 445.095 (1) (a), Stats. concerning registration as an apprentice funeral director, an applicant shall submit to the board one of the following: a. A signed statement by the registrar of any regionally accredited college showing that the applicant has completed a course of study with 30 semester credit hours in the following areas:
(1) English
(2) Speech
(3) Social Sciences
(4) Natural Sciences
