SB 351 - This act modifies the process for obtaining a license to practice embalming and to practice funeral directing. This act provides that a practicum embalming student licensee may assist, under the direct supervision of a licensed embalmer, in a licensed funeral establishment after approval by the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors ("Board"), but shall not assist when not under such supervision. In addition of the current requirements for an embalmer's license, this act provides that an applicant for an initial license to practice embalming shall furnish evidence that he or she has passed the National Board Examination Sciences, the Missouri Law Examination, and upon written request to the board and if such person has not previously passed, the person may sit for the National Board Examination Arts. Additionally, the applicant shall provide evidence of employment in a qualifying embalmer apprentice program, as defined in the act, for no less than six months, rather than full-time in funeral service in a licensed funeral establishment, and of personally embalming at least twenty-five dead human bodies under the supervision of a licensed embalmer, with the first twelve bodies embalmed under the direct supervision of a licensed embalmer. Additionally, this act repeals provisions regarding failure to complete the requirements for an embalmer's license in a five-year period, passage of a state examination administered by the Board for an embalmer's license, issuance of an embalmer's or funeral director's license by the Board, and waiver of any licensure requirements to certain individuals of a licensed funeral director because of sickness, mental incapacity, or injury. This act also provides licensure requirements for an initial license to practice funeral directing. An applicant for such license shall furnish evidence that he or she is eighteen years of age, possesses a high school diploma or equivalent thereof, and has either: (1) Completed a funeral service education program and received a passing score on the National Board Examination Arts and the Missouri Law Examination; or (2) Applied for a funeral director provisional license, completed a qualifying funeral director apprentice program, and: (a) Within twenty-four months, completes a twelve-month apprentice program under the personal supervision of a licensed funeral director in a licensed Missouri funeral establishment, which includes arranging and conducting ten funeral services, and receives a passing score on the National Board Examination Arts and the Missouri Law Examination; or (b) On or after September 1, 2025, and within thirty-six months, completes an eighteen-month apprentice program under the personal supervision of a licensed funeral director in a licensed Missouri funeral establishment, which includes arranging and conducting twenty-five funeral services, and receives a passing score on the Missouri Law Examination. Successful candidates obtaining licensure through apprenticeship shall participate in a Board-approved program of learning to build professional competency. Additionally, this act repeals provisions regarding hours devoted as an apprentice for applicants of a funeral director license, passage of a state examination administered by the Board for a funeral director's license, failure to complete the requirements for an embalmer's license in a two-year period, and waiver of certain requirements for licensed embalmers seeking a funeral director license. A person seeking to obtain a funeral director limited license for work only in a cremation funeral establishment shall meet the qualifications as specified in the act. Additionally, such person shall be exempt from an apprenticeship program. Finally, this act provides that the Board may, at its discretion and upon written request, waive the funeral director licensure requirements for up to six months if there is an absence of a funeral director in charge due to the death or disability for whom there is no alternative. The waiver may allow for a spouse, next of kin, personal representative, or conservator to conduct business until such time as a licensed funeral director can be obtained or arrangements for closure or sale of the funeral establishment, but the waiver shall not allow any services to be provided for which a formal funeral service education program is required. This act is similar to provisions in SB 1052 (2024), in SCS/HB 2280 (2024), HCS/HBs 2322 & 1774 (2024), SB 348 (2023), HB 629 (2023), HB 1491 (2022), HCS/SB 9 (2021), HCS/SB 330 (2021), SCS/HB 585 (2021), HCS/HB 724 (2021), HB 1349 (2021), and HB 2432 (2020). KATIE O'BRIEN