OklahomaOklahoma sets license rules for funeral service leaders
Starting November 1, 2026, some applicants may qualify for a funeral director license through an alternative route, and the law sets rules for business leaders.
What it does
Applicants who do not meet the standard funeral director qualifications may qualify through an approved course, apprenticeship, supervised work, and exams. This license does not let them serve as the person in charge of a business.
A funeral director in charge must hold current licenses as both a funeral director and an embalmer. Some people already serving may continue at funeral service establishments or crematories, but not at commercial embalming establishments.
Argument forAn approved course may give some applicants another route to a funeral director license, even if they do not meet the standard qualifications.
Argument againstThe limits on who may lead some businesses could keep funeral directors without both licenses from taking charge, except where grandfathering applies.
More detail
The law provides an alternative route to a funeral director license. This route is for applicants who do not meet the standard funeral director qualifications. It does not qualify them to practice embalming. Applicants must complete a Board-approved course and a registered apprenticeship of at least 12 months. They must also assist with 25 arrangement conferences and 25 funeral or memorial services under a licensed funeral director, pass the required exams, and pay required fees. This license covers funeral directing only and does not allow the licensee to serve as funeral director in charge. The act takes effect November 1, 2026.
The law states that a funeral director in charge must hold current licenses as both a funeral director and an embalmer. The funeral director in charge is responsible for the legal and ethical operation of a funeral service establishment, commercial embalming establishment, or crematory. A person serving without both current licenses on the act's effective date may continue at a funeral service establishment or crematory under Board rules. That person may not serve in charge of a commercial embalming establishment, which requires both current licenses. The grandfather rule applies to people serving without both current licenses on November 1, 2026, when the act takes effect.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 12Approved by Governor Kevin Stitt 05/12/2026Became Law
- May 6Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- May 6Enrolled measure signed, returned to House
- May 6Enrolled, signed, to Senate
- May 5Referred for enrollment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 5Engrossed measure signed, returned to HouseMajor
- May 5Measure passed: Ayes: 39 Nays: 7Major
- May 5General Order, Considered
- Apr 28Placed on General Order
- Apr 23Reported Do Pass Business and Insurance committee; CR filedMinor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 1Second Reading referred to Business and InsuranceMinor
- Mar 23First ReadingMinor
- Mar 23Engrossed, signed, to SenatePassed Senate
- Mar 17Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 17Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 61 Nays: 17Passed House
- Mar 17General Order
- Feb 26Authored by Senator Howard (principal Senate author)
- Vote recorded Commerce And Economic Development Oversight Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 26CR; Do Pass Commerce and Economic Development Oversight CommitteeMinor
- Feb 17Policy recommendation to the Commerce and Economic Development Oversight committee; Do Pass BusinessMinor
- Vote recorded Business Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Referred to BusinessMinor
- Feb 3Second Reading referred to Commerce and Economic Development OversightMinor
- Feb 2Authored by Representative Kendrix
- Feb 2First ReadingIntroduced