N.M. Stat. § 61-32-9 — NM Code / Chapter 61 / Article 32 / Section 61-32-9
§ 61-32-9. Requirements for licensure; funeral service practitioner; funeral arranger; embalmer; funeral service intern; direct disposer; conversion of certain licenses; temporary licenses
Status: in_force

A. A license to practice as a funeral service practitioner shall be issued to any person who files a completed application, accompanied by the required fees and documentation, and who submits satisfactory evidence that the person:

(1) is at least eighteen years of age;

(2) has served as a licensed funeral service intern for not less than twelve months, under the supervision of a licensed funeral service practitioner. During the training period, the applicant shall have assisted in the embalming of at least fifty bodies, making of at least fifty funeral arrangements and the directing of at least fifty funerals;

(3) has successfully completed an examination, including a jurisprudence examination, prescribed by board rules;

(4) has successfully completed both the arts and science sections of the national board examination administered by the international conference of funeral service examining boards;

(5) has not been convicted of unprofessional conduct or incompetency; and

(6) has obtained an associate's degree in funeral science requiring the completion of at least sixty semester hours from an institution whose funeral program is accredited by the American board of funeral service education or any other successor institution offering funeral service education recognized by the United States government.

B. A license to practice as a funeral arranger shall be issued to any person who files a completed application, accompanied by the required fees and documentation, and who submits satisfactory evidence that the person:

(1) is at least eighteen years of age;

(2) has served as a licensed funeral service intern for not less than twelve months, under the supervision of a licensed funeral service practitioner. During the training period, the applicant shall have assisted in the making of at least fifty funeral arrangements and the directing of at least fifty funerals;

(3) has successfully completed an examination, including a jurisprudence examination, prescribed by board rules;

(4) has successfully completed the arts section of the national board examination administered by the international conference of funeral service examining boards;

(5) has not been convicted of unprofessional conduct or incompetency; and

(6) has obtained an associate's degree in funeral science requiring the completion of at least sixty semester hours from an institution whose funeral program is accredited by the American board of funeral service education or any other successor institution offering funeral service education recognized by the United States government.

C. A license to practice as an embalmer shall be issued to any person who files a completed application, accompanied by the required fees and documentation, and who submits satisfactory evidence that the person:

(1) is at least eighteen years of age;

(2) has served as a licensed funeral service intern for not less than twelve months, under the supervision of a licensed funeral service practitioner. During the training period, the applicant shall have assisted in the embalming of at least fifty bodies;

(3) has successfully completed an examination, including a jurisprudence examination, prescribed by board rules;

(4) has successfully completed the science section of the national board examination administered by the international conference of funeral service examining boards;

(5) has not been convicted of unprofessional conduct or incompetency; and

(6) has obtained an associate's degree in funeral science requiring the completion of at least sixty semester hours from an institution whose funeral program is accredited by the American board of funeral service education or any other successor institution offering funeral service education recognized by the United States government.

D. A license to practice as a funeral service intern shall be issued to any person who files a completed application, accompanied by the required fees and documentation, and who submits satisfactory evidence that the person:

(1) is at least eighteen years of age;

(2) has graduated from high school or the equivalent;

(3) has submitted proof of employment and supervision as required by board rules. Except as may be allowed by board rule, a license as a funeral service intern is issued only for a specific funeral establishment or an establishment that is part of a multi-establishment enterprise;

(4) has successfully completed an examination, including a jurisprudence examination, prescribed by board rules; and

(5) has not been convicted of unprofessional conduct or incompetency.

E. A license to practice as a direct disposer shall be issued to any person who files a completed application, accompanied by the required fees and documentation, and who submits satisfactory evidence that the person:

(1) is at least eighteen years of age;

(2) has obtained an associate's degree in funeral science requiring the completion of at least sixty semester hours from an institution whose funeral program is accredited by the American board of funeral service education or any other successor institution offering funeral service education and recognized by the United States government;

(3) has successfully completed any examination, including a jurisprudence examination, prescribed by board rules; and

(4) has not been convicted of unprofessional conduct or incompetency.

F. On and after July 1, 2012, the board shall not issue a new license that was formerly designated an “assistant funeral services practitioner” or “associate funeral services practitioner” license under a version of the Funeral Services Act in effect on June 30, 2012. A person holding one of these licenses that is valid as of June 30, 2012 shall be considered as holding a valid, renewable funeral services intern license subject to the general supervision of a licensed funeral services practitioner pursuant to the Funeral Services Act.

G. The board may adopt by rule requirements for issuing a temporary license that will be valid until the next scheduled board meeting.