(a) A person may not engage in funeral directing or embalming in this state without holding a license issued by the Commission, unless the person is a mortuary student acting under the supervision and direction of a licensed funeral director or embalmer.
(b) An applicant for a license shall meet the eligibility requirements of Occupations Code, §651.253.
(c) The period of a license is two years beginning on the first day of the licensee's birth month. The initial licensing period may be less than two years.
(d) The licensing fee must be paid before a license is issued. If the initial licensing period is less than two years, the licensing fee shall be prorated.
(e) A person who does not receive a full license by exiting directly from the Commission's provisional license program or reciprocate from another state may apply for full licensure. The person must have been a provisional license holder in Texas no more than 24 months prior to application. The applicant shall complete an application, provide required proof of eligibility, pay an application fee, re-take and pass the State Mortuary Law Examination, and submit to a criminal background check.
(f) Renewal Procedures and Conditions.
  (1) A license may be renewed beginning 60 days prior to its expiration if the licensee has paid the renewal fee and met the continuing education requirements of §203.8 of this title (relating to Continuing Education).
  (2) A person whose license is expired for 90 days or less may renew the license by meeting the continuing education requirements of §203.8 of this title and paying a renewal fee that is 1 and 1/2 times the amount of the normal renewal fee.
  (3) A person whose license is expired for more than 90 days but less than one year may renew the license by meeting the continuing education requirements of §203.8 of this title and paying a renewal fee that is two times the amount of the normal renewal fee.
  (4) A person whose license has been expired for one year or more may reinstate the license by meeting the following requirements:
    (A) retaking and passing the State Mortuary Law Examination;
    (B) payment of any applicable fees, including a renewal fee that is equal to two times the normally required renewal fee; and
    (C) completion of the continuing education requirements of §203.8 of this title.
  (5) Notwithstanding paragraph (4) of this subsection, a person whose license has been expired for one year or more may reinstate the license without retaking the applicable examination if the person has been licensed and practicing in another state for the two years preceding the application for reinstatement. The applicant must pay a renewal fee that is equal to two times the normally required renewal fee.
  (6) Notwithstanding paragraph (4) of this subsection, the Executive Director may waive any prerequisite to obtaining a license to a person whose license has been expired for no more than five years who is also a military service member, military veteran or military spouse as defined by Occupations Code, Chapter 55.
(g) A licensee serving as an active military service member as defined by Occupations Code, Chapter 55, is exempt from the payment of license fees for the duration of the holder's military service or for anytime the Commission considers advisable.

Source Note: The provisions of this §203.1 adopted to be effective October 18, 2015, 40 TexReg 7065; amended to be effective October 3, 2019, 44 TexReg 5625