Iowa Administrative Code

the licensed activity relating to the custody of each decedent, each funeral director will create and the funeral establishment will maintain the records identified in this rule. If a registered intern or registered removal technician first takes custody of a decedent, the funera…

900.2(1) Practices requiring a funeral director’s license include but are not limited to: a. Removal as specified in rule 481—900.4(142,156). b. Embalming human remains as specified in rule 481—900.6(156) and completing embalming records as specified in paragraph 900.11(2)“d.” c.…

900.3(1) The funeral director, intern, or removal technician who assumes possession of a human remains will attach a permanent identification tag. 900.3(2) The identification tag will initially contain, at a minimum, the name of the deceased. 900.3(3) Before final disposition, th…

900.4(1) Removal and transfer of human remains. The funeral director will perform the following duties upon notification of a death: a. Comply with jurisdictional authority, with respect to medicolegal responsibilities, regarding the removal of the human remains. b. Provide signa…

for the removal and transfer of human remains, according to state law and the administrative rules promulgated by the department of health and human services. [ARC 7812C, IAB 4/17/24, effective 5/22/24; Editorial change: IAC Supplement 9/18/24]

900.6(1) The funeral director will perform the following duties prior to and during embalming according to commonly accepted industry standards. a. Obtain authorization for embalming from an authorized person. If permission to embalm cannot be obtained from the authorized person,…

900.7(1) The Federal Trade Commission. The funeral director will observe current guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) funeral rule. 900.7(2) Arrangement conference activities. If responsible, the funeral director will perform the following duties associated with arran…

900.8(1) A human remains is unclaimed when: a. The decedent did not express a desire to be interred, entombed or cremated. b. Relatives or friends of the decedent did not request that the decedent’s human remains be interred, entombed or cremated. 900.8(2) Friend distinguished fr…

disinterment is performed in accordance with rules promulgated by the department of health and human services and will first secure a disinterment permit issued by the department of health and human services. 900.9(1) No person will disinter a human remains or cremated remains un…

“Active license” means a license that is current and has not expired. “Board” means the board of mortuary science. “Change of ownership” means a change of controlling interest ((1) an interest in a partnership of greater than 50 percent; or (2) greater than 50 percent of the issu…

licensee will: 901.10(1) Complete an online reactivation application on the Iowa board of mortuary science website and pay the reactivation fee. 901.10(2) Provide verification of current competence to practice as a funeral director by satisfying one of the following criteria: a. …

been revoked, suspended, or voluntarily surrendered must apply for and receive reinstatement of the license in accordance with rule 481—506.31(272C) and must apply for and be granted reactivation of the license in accordance with rule 481—901.11(17A,147,272C) prior to practicing …

901.12(1) A removal technician will complete an in-person or live, real-time interactive media education training program that is approved by the board of mortuary science and provides education and training on the following: a. Requirements of the Federal Trade Commission Funera…

901.13(1) A removal technician will serve under the direct supervision of an Iowa licensed funeral director, will only perform removals at the direction of the supervising funeral director, and may act in place of a funeral director only in performing a removal. 901.13(2) Any Iow…

901.2(1) The applicant will be eligible to apply for a license to practice mortuary science by the board pursuant to subrule 901.2(2) when the applicant has completed the educational requirements and examination requirements, followed by a completed internship as prescribed below…

901.3(1) Internship. a. The intern must serve a minimum of one year of internship under the direct supervision of an Iowa board-certified preceptor. The beginning and ending dates of the internship will be indicated on the internship certificate. The intern will engage in the pra…

901.4(1) A student may participate in a student practicum in a licensed funeral establishment in Iowa if the student’s school is accredited by and in good standing with the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE). The student practicum must meet the requirements of th…

901.5(1) A place of business devoted to providing any aspect of mortuary science or cremation services will hold an establishment license issued by the board. An establishment license will not be issued more than 30 days prior to the opening of a new establishment. a. A funeral e…

901.6(1) The biennial license renewal period for a license to practice as a funeral director will begin on the sixteenth day of the licensee’s birth month and end on the fifteenth day of the licensee’s birth month two years later. The licensee is responsible for renewing the lice…

901.7(1) Renewal. a. The renewal cycle will be triennial beginning July 1 and ending on June 30 of the third year. b. The renewal will be to complete an online renewal application on the Iowa board of mortuary science website and pay the renewal fee. 901.7(2) Failure to receive n…

901.8(1) If the renewal application and fee are not postmarked within 30 days after the license expiration date, the funeral establishment license or cremation establishment license is inactive. To reactivate a funeral establishment license or cremation establishment license, com…

establishment license. For a funeral or cremation establishment license that has been revoked, suspended, or voluntarily surrendered, the owner must apply for and receive reinstatement of the license in accordance with rule 481—506.31(272C) and must apply for and be granted react…

“Active license” means a license that is current and has not expired. “Audit” means the selection of licensees for verification of satisfactory completion of continuing education requirements during a specified time period. “Board” means the board of mortuary science. “Continuing…

902.2(1) The biennial continuing education compliance period will extend for a two-year period beginning on the fifteenth day of the licensee’s birth month and ending on the fifteenth day of the licensee’s birth month. Each biennium, a person who holds an active license will be r…

902.3(1) General criteria. A continuing education activity must meet the following criteria: a. Constitute an organized program of learning that contributes directly to the professional competency of the licensee; b. Pertain to subject matters that integrally relate to the practi…

requirement during the license biennium when that person: 1. Served honorably on active duty in the military service; or 2. Was a government employee working in the licensee’s specialty and assigned to duty outside the United States; or 3. Was absent from the state but engaged in…

“Board” means the board of mortuary science. “Discipline” means any sanction the board may impose upon licensees. “Licensee” means an individual licensed pursuant to Iowa Code section 156.4 to practice as a funeral director in Iowa and a person issued an establishment license pur…

Code chapters 17A, 147, 156, and 272C and related administrative rules for the protection and well-being of those persons who may rely upon licensed individuals and establishments for the performance of mortuary science services within this state or for clients in this state. To …

initiate disciplinary action against a licensed funeral director based on Iowa Code section 156.9 and any of the following grounds: 904.3(1) Fraud in procuring a license. Fraud in procuring a license includes but is not limited to an intentional perversion of the truth in making …

establishments. The board may initiate disciplinary action against a funeral establishment or cremation establishment, at time of license application or thereafter, based on all grounds set forth in Iowa Code section 156.15, summarized as follows: 904.4(1) The licensee or applica…

following disciplinary sanctions: 1. Revoke a license. 2. Suspend a license until further order of the board or for a specific period. 3. Prohibit permanently, until further order of the board, or for a specific period, the licensee’s engaging in specified procedures, methods, or…

will consider when determining the nature and severity of the disciplinary sanction to be imposed, including whether to assess and the amount of civil penalties, include: 1. The relative serious nature of the violation as it relates to ensuring a high standard of professional car…

by the affected licensee, the board may grant the licensee an opportunity to appear before the board or a committee of the board for a voluntary informal discussion of the facts and circumstances of an alleged violation. The licensee may be represented by legal counsel at the inf…

against a person who is not licensed by the board based on the unlawful practices specified in Iowa Code section 156.16. In addition to the procedures set forth in Iowa Code section 156.16, this chapter will apply. [ARC 7816C, IAB 4/17/24, effective 5/22/24; Editorial change: IAC…

civil penalties include but are not limited to: 1. Acts or practices by unlicensed persons that require licensure as a funeral director under Iowa Code chapter 156. 2. Acts or practices by unlicensed establishments that require licensure as a funeral establishment or cremation es…

conduct such investigations as are needed to determine whether grounds exist to impose civil penalties against a nonlicensee. Such investigations will conform to the procedures outlined in this chapter. Complaint and investigatory files concerning nonlicensees are not confidentia…

authorized in connection with an investigation of an unlicensed person or establishment to issue subpoenas to compel persons to testify and to compel persons to produce books, papers, records and any other real evidence, whether or not privileged or confidential under law, that t…

order to require compliance with Iowa Code chapter 156 and to impose a civil penalty will be served upon the nonlicensee by restricted certified mail, return receipt requested, or personal service in accordance with Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.305. Alternatively, the nonlicensee may accept…

905.6(1) Nonlicensees must request a hearing within 30 days of the date the notice is received if served through restricted certified mail, or within 30 days of the date of service if service is accepted or made in accordance with Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.305. A request for hearing must…

amount of civil penalty to impose, if any: 1. Whether the amount imposed will be a substantial economic deterrent to the violation. 2. The circumstances leading to the violation. 3. The severity of the violation and the risk of harm to the public. 4. The economic benefits gained …

described in these rules, the board may seek an injunction in district court, refer the matter for criminal prosecution, or enter into a consent agreement as provided in Iowa Code section 156.16. [ARC 7816C, IAB 4/17/24, effective 5/22/24; Editorial change: IAC Supplement 9/18/24…

hereby adopts by reference the following: 906.1(1) to 906.1(9) Reserved. 906.1(10) Model rules for licensee review committee, 481—Chapter 505. This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code chapter 272C. [ARC 8148C, IAB 7/24/24, effective 8/28/24; Editorial change: IAC Supplement 9…

inspection of places where dead human bodies are prepared for burial, cremation or entombment. [Editorial change: IAC Supplement 4/2/25]

“Board” means the board of mortuary science examiners. “Cremated remains” means the body of a deceased person, including any form of body prosthesis that has been permanently attached to or implanted in the body. “Cremation” means the technical process, using heat and flame, that…

preparation room or cremation chamber without first licensing the establishment with the board. [Editorial change: IAC Supplement 4/2/25]

establishments shall have a public rest room with hot and cold running water. [Editorial change: IAC Supplement 4/2/25]

907.5(1) The preparation room shall be of such size and dimensions to accommodate and shall contain an embalming table, an appropriate sink, or other liquid waste receptacle with sewer and water connections, suitable cabinet or shelves, and hand-washing facilities to include hot …

907.6(1) Cremation chambers shall be installed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. 907.6(2) Cremation chambers shall be vented to the outside of the building. 907.6(3) There shall be a means to bring in a fresh air supply to aid in combustion. 907.6(4) The room where…

crematorium upon the completion of an inspection. Inspection fees are due upon receipt of a notice of payment due. When the funeral home or crematorium is located within the contracted area of a board of health that has a 28E agreement for inspections with the department, inspect…