Professions and occupations; Oklahoma Funeral Directors and Embalmers Examination; effective date.
HB 1365 amends Oklahoma's licensing requirements for funeral directors and embalmers, creating two distinct pathways for licensure. It requires applicants to complete accredited mortuary science programs (with specific course content), serve a 12-month apprenticeship under supervision, and pass exams with a minimum 75% score. The bill establishes separate licenses for "funeral director" (limited to directing services) and "embalmer" (limited to embalming), preventing dual practice without additional qualifications. This directly affects anyone seeking to work in Oklahoma's funeral services industry as a licensed professional. The bill became law on May 6, 2025, implementing these specific educational, experiential, and examination standards.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 3, 2025
Signed May 6, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons
What changed between versions
Floor (House)
→
Floor (Senate)
·
5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was revised to transition from the House version to the Senate floor version, incorporating substantive changes to funeral director and embalmer licensing requirements. The Senate version adds specific curriculum requirements, modifies apprentice experience requirements, and introduces additional exam requirements for funeral directors. These changes aim to standardize training and ensure higher competency standards for funeral service professionals in Oklahoma.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on amending Oklahoma funeral service licensing laws, but the Senate version expands eligibility criteria and adds new exam requirements that were not present in the House version.
ELIGIBILITY
Added requirement that funeral director applicants must pass an International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Board law exam with a score of 75 or higher
Modified embalmer eligibility to require completion of embalmer course of study approved by Oklahoma Funeral Board
REQUIREMENT
Changed apprentice experience requirement from 25 separate funeral services to 25 arrangement conferences and 25 separate funeral or memorial services
Added specific curriculum requirements for funeral director license including Oklahoma Funeral Board prescribed curriculum
Added requirement that funeral director license holders cannot practice as funeral director in charge as defined in Section 396.2
Floor votes · Senate Apr 28, 2025 · House Feb 27, 2025
How they voted
44–1
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 49
Apr 28, 2025
D
Democratic9
88% Yea
R
Republican40
90% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
23
Key actions
7
Committee
6
Apr 28, 2025
Committee
Referred for enrollment
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Engrossed measure signed, returned to House
upper
Apr 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Measure passed: Ayes: 43 Nays: 1
upper
Apr 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported Do Pass Business and Insurance committee; CR filed
upper
Mar 3, 2025
Introduced
First Reading
upper
Mar 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Engrossed, signed, to Senate
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred for engrossment
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 91 Nays: 1
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
CR; Do Pass Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Committee
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Policy recommendation to the Commerce and Economic Development Oversight committee; Do Pass Business
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Committee
Referred to Business
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
First Reading
lower
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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