Continuing Education Requirements
Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes (CGS ), licensed embalmers and funeral directors are required to participate in continuing education (CE) activities that meet the requirements of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (RSA). Please note the following:
Number of Hours
Each licensee applying for license renewal shall complete a minimum of 6 hours of qualifying continuing education during the one-year period for which the license has been renewed.
Qualifying Continuing Education
The continuing education shall be in areas related to the licensee's practice, including but not limited to, bereavement care, business management and administration, religious customs and traditions related to funerals, cremation services, cemetery services, natural sciences, pre-need services, restorative arts and embalming, federal and state laws governing funeral service, counseling, funeral service merchandising, sanitation and infection control, organ donation or hospice care. The continuing education shall consist of courses offered or approved by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice (APFSP), educational offerings sponsored by a hospital or other licensed health care institution or courses offered by a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Internet-based and distance learning opportunities are acceptable, provided they are offered or sponsored by qualifying continuing education providers. The Department does not approve continuing education courses or pre-approve specific coursework for individual licensees nor does the Department maintain a list of continuing education courses.
Documentation Requirements/Record Retention
Each licensee must obtain a certificate of completion from the provider of the continuing education for all continuing education hours that are successfully completed and shall retain such certificate for a minimum of 3 years following the date for which the activity satisfies the continuing education requirement. Upon request by the Department, the licensee shall submit the certificate to the Department. A licensee who fails to comply with the continuing education requirements, including failure to maintain proof of course completion, shall be subject to disciplinary action.
Exemptions/Waivers
A licensee who is applying for license renewal for the first time is exempt from continuing education requirements until such licensee’s next registration period.
The Department may, for a licensee or certificate holder who has a medical disability or illness, grant a waiver of the continuing education requirements for a specific period of time or may grant the licensee or certificate holder an extension of time in which to fulfill the requirements. Waivers must be requested annually, at the time of license or certificate renewal. Please use select this link for the form to request a waiver.