Iowa requires licensing rules and training for crematory operators

The board must adopt rules for licensing crematory operators, and those rules must require a course in cremation. This applies to people seeking a crematory operator license; funeral directors who apply are covered by the stated license exception. The course must be approved by the board and come from a nationally recognized organization. A funeral director who applies using the board's required form must receive a license.

Applicants for a cremation establishment license must submit a fee and a sworn application with specified business and staffing details. This applies to applicants for a cremation establishment license. The application must name the funeral director or crematory operator in charge, who is responsible for the establishment's compliance with laws and rules. A person who falsely swears to the application is subject to penalties for making a false affidavit.

The board may discipline funeral directors and crematory operators for specified misconduct. This applies to funeral directors and crematory operators. Grounds include knowingly misleading a prospective buyer, certain violations related to mortuary science or cremation, helping someone practice or operate unlawfully, and willful or repeated violations of the chapter or its rules.

Paying or offering to accept a commission or gratuity to secure funeral business is a simple misdemeanor. This applies to payments made to secure business for a funeral director or crematory operator. The rule covers funeral directors, crematory operators, people acting for them, and people who accept or offer to accept such payments to secure business. It allows legitimate, honest advertising and does not apply to sales made under chapter 523A.