K.S.A. 65-1714(b): In order to be eligible for licensure as a funeral director, applicants must assist with at least 25 funeral services and serve an apprenticeship of one year under the supervision of a licensed Kansas funeral director.

K.A.R. 63-2-12 requires the filing of quarterly progress reports with the board. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship and the passing of the written examination, a license shall be issued by the board upon payment of the prorated initial licensure fee.

Some other legal requirements include that the apprenticeship must be served working on a full-time basis! Any quarterly progress report not submitted within ten (10) days of the quarter - by either the apprentice or supervising licensee - will result in denial of that quarter and an extension of apprenticeship.

Your one year funeral directing apprenticeship does not officially begin until you have filed the appropriate assistant funeral director and apprentice funeral director applications with the board. Please note that your apprenticeship does not officially begin until the day all paperwork and fees have been received by the board. There is a $150 application fee when applying for licensure as an assistant funeral director (apprentice funeral director). The initial licensure fee is prorated depending on the first letter of your last name.

Finding the proper employment: You must secure employment prior to applying as an assistant/apprentice funeral. Funeral homes looking for help will sometimes notify our office or the association's office. Otherwise, it's up to you to contact funeral homes when seeking employment. Individuals planning on serving a funeral director apprenticeship should visit with employers to see if there will be an opportunity to work with families. By asking up front-prior to accepting a position--you will have a better understanding of what to expect. Some individuals are more interested in money, benefits, time-off...and forget to inquire about the job itself. Waiting on families is not required as an apprentice/assistant funeral director, but working with a minimum of 25 families in some manner (in-states, services...) is. A list of job openings is posted on the board's web site and is updated regularly.

Once you have registered as an apprentice/assistant funeral director, you and your supervising Kansas licensed funeral director will each receive separate packets containing four (4) quarterly progress reports. Those reports must be submitted by the indicated due dates to avoid any possible delays in your apprenticeship. The board uses these reports to monitor progress of the apprenticeship, and it is important to take appropriate time when filling them out!

Changing jobs during the apprenticeship is perfectly normal. The apprenticeship is a job--and like any job, situations can occur (better opportunities, personality conflicts...) that require the apprentice to seek/obtain employment at other funeral homes. When terminating from a supervising licensee--for any reason--the Mortuary Arts Board office MUST be notified immediately! There are papers that must be signed by the apprentice and supervising licensee that verify employment. Once the apprentice has found new employment, it will be necessary to re-register with the board. The apprenticeship period is for a minimum of one (1) full year, so the longer time taken off between jobs--the longer it is going to take to complete the apprenticeship. A list of job openings is posted on the board's website and is updated regularly.

Approximately two (2) weeks prior to the due date of the last quarterly progress report, the board will mail the apprentice a "Practical Registration" application. The top half will already be completed. All the apprentice must do is complete the bottom portion in order to verify the apprenticeship. This application must be signed by the apprentice and supervising licensee, and it should be returned to the board along with the last quarter progress report. The funeral director examination/license application, 24-case report and $200 examination fee must also be submitted at that time.

Once the board has received all of the quarterly progress reports from the apprentice and supervising licensee as well as the "Practical Registration" and previously mentioned applications and fees, the apprentice will be scheduled an appointment time to meet with the board. The board reviews all quarterly progress reports and will ask questions relating to the apprenticeship and application for licensure. This interview will take place prior to the apprentice being administered the written funeral directing examination.

Completion of the full one (1) year apprenticeship, a successful interview with the board, passing the written funeral director examination and payment of the initial prorated licensure fee will result in the issuance of what you've been working so hard for: KANSAS LICENSURE! The board wishes you the best of luck during the apprenticeship process. Please feel free to contact our Topeka office if we can be of any assistance. We are here to assist you during the apprenticeship process. There is no such thing as a "bad" question. Our web site contains quite a bit of information, so please take some time to look it over.