department of state

Division of Professional Regulation

3100 Board of Funeral Services

Statutory Authority: 24 Delaware Code,

Section 3105(a)(10) (24 Del.C. ß3105(a)(10))

24 DE Admin. Code 3100

ORDER

FINAL

After due notice in the Register of Regulations and two Delaware newspapers, a public hearing was held on May 25, 2005 at a scheduled meeting of the Delaware Board Funeral Services to receive comments regarding proposed rule.

The proposed change to Rule 9.4.2 provides for automatic approval of continuing education offered by the Academy of Funeral Service Practitioners or a state licensing board for funeral directors. The proposed change was published in the Register of Regulations, Vol. 8, Issue 9, March 1, 2005. The notice for a rescheduling hearing was published in the Vol. 8, Issue 10, April 1, 2005.

Summary of the Evidence and Information Submitted

No written or verbal comments were received.

Findings of Fact with Respect to the Evidence and Information Submitted

The approval process for continuing education would be more efficient and predictable if automatic approval were available under the rules where appropriate. However, the wording should be clarified. The AFSP ëapprovesí continuing education proposals; it does not ëofferí continuing education courses itself.

Rule 9.4.7 should be changed to reflect the practice of approving continuing education for the licensure period rather than two years from the date of approval.

Rule 9.6.6 can be eliminated as redundant.

The Board finds that the changes made are not substantial and do not require further publication.

Decision and Effective Date

The Board hereby adopts the changes to Regulation 9.0 to be effective 10 days following publication of this order in the Register of Regulations.

Text and Citation

The text of the revised rule is as follows:

9.0 Continuing Education Regulations.

9.4.7 Approval of CE credits and program formats by the Committee shall be valid for a period of two years from the date of approval. The CE credits shall be valid for the biennial renewal cycle in which they are approved. Changes in any aspect of the approved program shall render the approval invalid and the presenter will be responsible for making reapplication to the Committee.

9.6.6 Programs approved for continuing education credit by another state funeral board other than Delaware shall be automatically approved for all Delaware licensees upon written application and verification of CE credits by the applicable state board.

SO ORDERED this 24th day of May, 2005

BOARD OF FUNERAL SERVICES

William J. Doherty II, President

Lyle Dabson

Bennie Smith

Robert C. Hutchison, Jr.

3100 Board of Funeral Services

9.0 Continuing Education Regulations

9.1 Board Authority

9.1.1 This rule is promulgated under the authority of 24 Del.C. ß3105 which grants the Board of Funeral Services (hereinafter ìthe Boardî) authority to provide for rules for continuing funeral services education as a prerequisite for license renewal.

9.2 Requirements

9.2.1 Every licensed funeral director in active practice shall complete at least 10 hours/credits of approved continuing education (hereinafter "CE") during the two year licensure period prior to the time of license renewal. All CE credit hours must further the licenseeís skills and understanding in the field of funeral services. Licensees who earn more than the required amount of CE credit hours during a given licensure period may carry over no more than 50% of the total CE credit hours required for the next licensure period.

9.2.2 When a Delaware licensee on inactive status files a written application to return to active practice with the Board, the licensee shall submit proof of having completed the required CE credit hours for the period just prior to the request to return to active practice.

9.2.3 Upon application for renewal of a license, a funeral director licensee shall submit to the Board proof of completing the required number of CE credit hours.

9.3 Waiver of the CE Requirement

9.3.1 The Board has the power to waive any part of the entire CE requirement for good cause if the licensee files a written request with the Board. For example, exemptions to the CE requirement may be granted due to health or military service. Application for exemption shall be made in writing to the Board by the applicant for renewal. The Board shall decide the merits of each individual case at a regularly scheduled meeting.

9.3.2 Newly licensed funeral directors, including those newly licensed by reciprocity, are exempt during the time from initial licensure until the commencement of the first full licensure period.

9.4 Continuing Education Program Approval

9.4.1 Each contact hour (at least fifty minutes) is equivalent to 1.0 CE credit hour. One college credit hour is equivalent to 5 CE credit hours.

9.4.2 Eligible program providers or sponsors include but are not limited to, educational institutions, government agencies, professional or trade associations and foundations and private firms. Programs [approved offered] by the Academy of Funeral Service Practitioners (AFSP) or state boards that license funeral directors are automatically approved. Eligible program providers or sponsors include but are not limited to, educational institutions, government agencies, professional or trade associations and foundations and private firms.

9.4.3 Sources of CE credits include but are not limited to the following:

ï Programs sponsored by national funeral service organizations.

ï Programs sponsored by state associations.

ï Program provided by local associations.

ï Programs provided by suppliers.

ï Independent study courses for which there is an assessment of knowledge.

ï College courses.

9.4.4 The recommended areas include but are not limited to the following:

ï Grief counseling

ï Professional conduct, business ethics or legal aspects relating to practice in the profession.

ï Business management concepts relating to delivery of goods and services.

ï Technical aspects of the profession.

ï Public relations.

ï After care counseling.

9.4.5 Application for CE program approval shall include the following:

9.4.5.1 Date and location.

9.4.5.2 Description of program subject, material and content.

9.4.5.3 Program schedule to time segments in subject content areas for which approval of, and determination of credit is required.

9.4.5.4 Name of instructor(s), background, expertise.

9.4.5.5 Name and position of person making request for program approval.

9.4.6 Requests for CE program approval shall be submitted to the Board on the application provided by the Board. Application for approval may be made after the program; however, if the program is not approved, the applicant will be notified and no credit given.

9.4.7 [The CE credits shall be valid for the biennial renewal cycle in which they are approved. Approval of CE credits and program formats by the Committee shall be valid for a period of two years from the date of approval.] Changes in any aspect of the approved program shall render the approval invalid and the presenter will be responsible for making reapplication to the Committee.

9.4.8 Upon request, the Board shall mail a current list of all previously approved programs.

9.5 Continuing Education Committee

9.5.1 The Board of Funeral Services shall appoint a committee known as the Continuing Education Committee. The Committee shall consist of the following who shall elect a chairperson:

9.5.1.1 One (1) Board member (non-licensed).

9.5.1.2 One (1) non-Board member who shall be a licensed funeral director who is owner/operator of a funeral establishment.

9.5.1.3 One (1) non-Board member who shall be a licensed funeral director who does not own or operate a funeral establishment.

9.5.2 Membership on this Committee shall be on a rotating basis, with each member serving a three year term and may be eligible for reappointment. The Committee members shall continue to serve until a new member is appointed.

9.5.3 The Continuing Education Committee shall oversee matters pertaining to continuing education and make recommendations to the Board with regard to approval of submitted programs for CE by licensees and with regard to the Board's review of audited licensees. The Board shall have final approval on all matters.

9.6 Certification of Continuing Education - Verification and Reporting

9.6.1 The program provider/sponsor has sole responsibility for the accurate monitoring of program attendance. Certificates of attendance shall be supplied by the program provider/sponsor and be distributed only at the completion of the program.

9.6.2 Verification of completion of an independent study program will be made with a student transcript.

9.6.3 The funeral director licensee shall maintain all original certificates of attendance for CE programs for the entire licensure period. Proof shall consist of completed CE form provided by the Board and shall be filed with the Board on or before thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date of the biennial renewal period.

9.6.4 Applications for renewal may be audited by the Board to determine whether or not the recommended requirements of continuing education have been met by the licensee.

9.6.5 If a licensee is found to be non-compliant in continuing education, the licensee's license shall lapse at the expiration of the present licensing period. The Board shall reinstate such license within twelve (12) months of such lapse upon presentation of satisfactory evidence of successful completion of continuing education requirements and upon payment of all fees due.

[9.6.6 Programs approved for continuing education credit by another state funeral board other than Delaware shall be automatically approved for all Delaware licensees upon written application and verification of CE credits by the applicable state board.]

5 DE Reg. 606 (9/1/01)

9 DE Reg. 262 (Final) (08/01/05)

*Please Note: As the rest of the sections were not amended they are not being published. A complete set of the rules and regulations for the Board of Funeral Services is available at:

http://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/funeralservices/ index.shtml

department of state

3100 Board of Funeral Services

FINAL

Government and Services