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OK bill would add state exams to funeral-director licensing, sponsors say it removes a cost barrier
Summary
A House Business Committee bill would let Oklahoma require passage of new state-level exams for funeral directors and embalmers, a sponsor said, while supporters said the change aims to reduce national exam costs that limit workforce entry.
Representative Colvin explained House Bill 1365 to the House Business Committee, saying the measure “adds new national boards to the list of accredited boards a funeral director or an embalmer must pass to be licensed in the state. They also must pass with a score of 75 or better.”
The bill’s sponsor told the committee the change would allow the state to recognize alternate examinations after concerns that the national exam had become costly and that schools lacked feedback about student weaknesses. The nut graf: backers said the change is meant to reduce testing costs for students and help bring more young people into the funeral profession, while opponents raised questions about whether Oklahoma-only certification could limit reciprocity with other states.
Representative Provenzano asked whether the tests referenced in the bill already exist and how much they would cost. Colvin replied that the national board exam runs “about $750, dollars 800,” and that the Oklahoma option would be “around $250, about a $450 savings.”
Representative Blansett pressed whether adopting a state-level exam would remove the requirement for national certification and therefore prevent graduates from practicing across state lines. Blansett said she was concerned that “if we remove the requirement for national certification, the ability to practice for that student will be contained within the state of Oklahoma.” Colvin responded that many professions maintain state-level licensing and that he was not “100% sure” about reciprocity but would investigate.
John Arms, speaking for the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, described a workforce shortage and said cost is a barrier: “Basically what we have is a workforce issue. We're trying to get more young people in the business. There are some barriers. One of the barriers is the cost of the test.” Arms singled out the University of Central Oklahoma’s mortuary program as “very good” and said the association did not see pass rates as a major problem.
Committee members then moved the bill for adoption and conducted a voice/recorded vote. The clerk announced the vote and the bill was declared to pass.
The discussion distinguished policy intent (reduce testing costs and ease entry) from unresolved questions (reciprocity with other states and whether institutions should change instruction). The sponsor agreed to follow up on reciprocity and on how pass rates are measured.
Votes at a glance: House Bill 1365 — motion to adopt moved by Representative Colvin; committee vote declared carried (tally recorded in committee as 9 ayes, 0 nays in the transcript).
