South Carolina funeral directors debate continuing education requirements for license renewal

In a recent meeting of the South Carolina Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee, discussions centered around the complexities of continuing education requirements for license renewal, particularly in the funeral industry. The subcommittee heard from various stakeholders, including Ms. Cooper, who raised concerns about the clarity and practicality of the proposed legislation.

Under the current bill, licensees are required to complete eight continuing education credits for renewal, with a new stipulation that four of these credits must be earned annually. This includes one ethics course and two physical attendance courses, while the remaining three can be obtained through correspondence courses. Ms. Cooper pointed out the ambiguity in the language of the bill, questioning why three credits could be earned through correspondence when two require physical presence. She emphasized that the definitions of "physical" and "correspondence" should be clearly delineated to avoid confusion among licensees.

The discussion highlighted a significant concern: the potential for misinterpretation of the bill could hinder licensees' ability to meet renewal requirements by 2026. Ms. Cooper urged the committee to withdraw the bill to allow the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) to clarify the language and resubmit it for approval.

Shannon Dotson, president of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association, also addressed the committee, acknowledging the cumbersome nature of the bill's language but defending the rationale behind the continuing education requirements. He explained that the intention was to ensure that in-person courses are also available in a correspondence format, thus providing flexibility for licensees.

As the meeting concluded, the subcommittee faced the challenge of reconciling the need for clear regulations with the practicalities of continuing education in a rapidly evolving industry. The outcome of these discussions could significantly impact the future of licensing in South Carolina, leaving many in the funeral profession awaiting clarity on their educational obligations.