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West VirginiaHB 44832026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to funeral service licensure and administration

Sponsored By: Michael Amos (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§30-6-6§30-6-7§30-6-9§30-6-14§30-6-17§30-6-18§30-6-19

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 3 mixed.

Path to become a funeral director

To be licensed as a funeral director, you must have a bachelor’s degree, finish a one‑year apprenticeship with at least 35 disposition arrangements and 35 services, pay fees, and pass the state laws exam with at least 75%. After July 1, 2022, to register as an apprentice you must be 18 or older, have a high school diploma or equivalent, be allowed to work in the U.S., have no disqualifying felony, and pay fees. Required 60 semester (or 90 quarter) college or mortuary hours can be done before, during, or after the apprenticeship. Apprenticeships may not last more than one year, and a supervisor may not have more than five apprentices at once. If you started your apprenticeship before January 1, 2003, you may continue under the old rules with board approval.

Renewal, fees, and surrender for funeral homes

Funeral establishment licenses renew every two years by July 1 on a staggered schedule, with a renewal fee. Each street address needs its own license and fee. If you miss payment by July 1, penalties and a reinstatement fee apply. If you stop operating, you must surrender the license within 20 days; if the licensee dies, the personal representative must surrender it within 120 days of qualifying.

New staffing and opening rules for funeral homes

You must get a state license before opening to the public. Tell the board at least 30 days before opening for an inspection, pass the inspection, hire a qualified licensee in charge, and pay fees. The licensee in charge must hold an active funeral service license, an active crematory operator certificate, and a pre‑need license if you sell pre‑need contracts. Each location needs its own license and must show the license and the licensee’s name in the building and in ads. You cannot operate more than 60 days without a licensee in charge; the board may allow a provisional one for up to 90 days, and beginning July 1, 2026, it can give up to two years to finish the licensee‑in‑charge qualifications.

Revoked licensees barred from funeral businesses

If your embalmer, funeral director, or establishment operator license is revoked, you cannot run or hold an interest in any funeral home or crematory. You may still lease property to a funeral business if you take only fixed rent and do not control the business or share in profits.

License renewal, education, and emeritus options

Licenses and certificates renew every two years on July 1 on a staggered schedule; you must pay renewal and any late fees and complete continuing education. If you are 65 or older with at least 10 years licensed, you may get an emeritus license after paying a fee; you are exempt from continuing education and do not have to renew more than once every four years. You may place your license on inactive status by notifying the board and paying a fee; to return to active work, notify the board and complete all continuing education. Any funeral director license issued before July 1, 2002 remains valid under current law, and anyone with a license issued before July 1, 2022 must renew under these rules.

Board rulemaking limits and fee fund

The funeral board must set rules on licensing, inspections, exams, fees, fines, and education. The board cannot require an applicant to run a funeral home or crematory to hold an embalmer’s or funeral director’s license or a crematory operator certificate. Fees the board collects (except fines) go to a special fund to run the program; fines go to the state’s General Revenue Fund.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Michael Amos

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Ryan Browning

    Republican • House

  • Scot C. Heckert

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 448 • No: 0

House vote • 3/14/2026

Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 636)

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote • 3/14/2026

House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 635)

Yes: 97 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 482)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 481)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 2/26/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 202)

Yes: 93 • No: 0

House vote • 2/26/2026

Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 203)

Yes: 93 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026

    3/30/2026House

  2. To Governor 3/25/2026

    3/25/2026House

  3. House received Senate message

    3/14/2026House

  4. House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 635)

    3/14/2026House

  5. Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 636)

    3/14/2026House

  6. Communicated to Senate

    3/14/2026House

  7. Completed legislative action

    3/14/2026House

  8. House Message received

    3/14/2026Senate

  9. To Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  10. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  11. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  12. On 3rd reading with right to amend, com. amend pending

    3/12/2026Senate

  13. Read 3rd time

    3/12/2026Senate

  14. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/12/2026Senate

  15. Passed Senate (Roll No. 481)

    3/12/2026Senate

  16. Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 482)

    3/12/2026Senate

  17. Senate requests House to concur

    3/12/2026Senate

  18. On 2nd reading

    3/11/2026Senate

  19. Read 2nd time

    3/11/2026Senate

  20. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/11/2026Senate

  21. Deferred until foot of 2nd reading

    3/11/2026Senate

  22. Senate reconsidered adoption of com. amendment (Voice vote)

    3/11/2026Senate

  23. Reported do pass, with amendment

    3/10/2026Senate

  24. Immediate consideration

    3/10/2026Senate

  25. Read 1st time

    3/10/2026Senate

Bill Text

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