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HB 7920

AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- FUNERAL DIRECTOR/EMBALMER AND FUNERAL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by David Bennett and 4 co-sponsors

HB 7920 would streamline regulation by reducing required annual inspections and removing the Rhode Island practical exam for endorsement applicants seeking licensure by endorsement

06/09/2026 Referred to Senate Health and Human Services
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Bill Summary · HB 7920

Overview

HB 7920 (Rhode Island, 2026) would modify regulations for Funeral Directors/Embalmers and Funeral Service Establishments. The bill proposes two main changes: reducing mandatory inspections from twice annually to once annually, and removing the practical examination requirement for out-of-state funeral directors/embalmers seeking licensure by endorsement.

Purpose and Intent

  • To streamline regulatory oversight of funeral establishments, crematories, and their operations by decreasing inspection frequency.
  • To simplify licensure for funeral directors/embalmers licensed in other states seeking Rhode Island licensure by endorsement, by removing the requirement for a Rhode Island-specific practical examination for endorsement applicants.

Key Provisions

  1. Inspections (Section 5-33.2-13)

    • Licensed funeral director/embalmer inspectors may enter funeral establishments, branch offices, or crematories during business hours for:
      • Sanitary/Public Health inspections
      • Complaint investigations
      • Verifying compliance with applicable laws and regulations
    • Inspectors may request a department colleague to accompany them.
    • If the person in charge refuses to permit inspection, this can be grounds for revoking the establishment’s license and any certificate of approval.
    • Annual Inspections: Each funeral establishment, branch office, and crematory must be inspected at least twice yearly; inspections cover sanitation, public health, complaints, and conformity with relevant statutes and regulations.

  2. Licensure by Endorsement (Section 5-33.2-26)

    • Out-of-state funeral directors/embalmers in good standing may obtain Rhode Island licensure by endorsement.
    • Requirements for endorsement applicants include:
      • Graduation from a mortuary college
      • Passage of the funeral director and embalmer portions of the National Board Examination
      • Compliance with all Rhode Island licensing requirements (Chapter 5-33, Chapter 33.2 of Title 5)
      • Successful completion of a Rhode Island practical examination
    • Exemption: Individuals licensed in another state prior to 1985 are exempt from the National Board Examination requirements specified in this section.

Who Is Affected

  • Funeral establishments, branch offices, and crematories licensed under Rhode Island’s funeral service regulations.
  • Licensed funeral directors/embalmers seeking licensure in Rhode Island by endorsement, particularly those licensed in other states.
  • State regulatory bodies involved in health inspections and licensing administration (Department of Health and Division of Professional Regulation).

Practical and Timeline Implications

  • Inspections: The bill formalizes annual cadence as at least two inspections per year per facility, with one or more inspectors possibly accompanied by health department staff. This could affect scheduling, enforcement consistency, and resource planning for regulatory staff.
  • Endorsement Process: Applicants from other states would face a streamlined path by removing the Rhode Island-specific practical examination requirement; however, they must still meet education, prior-board examination, and general licensing obligations, plus pass a Rhode Island practical exam.
  • Effective Date: The act takes effect upon passage, meaning these changes would apply immediately once enacted.

Summary

HB 7920 aims to simplify Rhode Island’s funeral service regulation by (1) reducing the inspection trigger from twice-yearly to at least once-per-year in practice (with formal two-inspection minimum noted) and (2) easing licensure for out-of-state professionals by removing the need for a Rhode Island-specific practical exam for endorsements, while maintaining educational, national exam, and practical testing requirements. The bill preserves enforcement authority and grounds for license denial tied to inspection access and compliance.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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