(1) Before beginning an apprenticeship, an applicant shall apply for an apprentice license. The applicant shall show that he or she has completed twenty of the forty hours required in subdivision (1)(a) of section 38-1414. The applicant may complete the twelve-month apprenticeship in either a split apprenticeship or a full apprenticeship as provided in this section.

(2) A split apprenticeship shall be completed in the following manner:

(a) Application for an apprentice license to complete a six-month apprenticeship prior to or while attending an accredited school of mortuary science, which license shall be valid for six months from the date of issuance and shall not be extended by the board. The apprenticeship shall be completed over a continuous six-month period;

(b) Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited school of mortuary science;

(c) Successful passage of the national standardized examination; and

(d) Application for an apprentice license to complete the final six-month apprenticeship, which license shall be valid for six months from the date of issuance and shall not be extended by the board. The apprenticeship shall be completed over a continuous six-month period.

(3) A full apprenticeship shall be completed in the following manner:

(a) Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited school of mortuary science;

(b) Successful passage of the national standardized examination; and

(c) Application for an apprentice license to complete a twelve-month apprenticeship. This license shall be valid for twelve months from the date of issuance and shall not be extended by the board. The apprenticeship shall be completed over a continuous twelve-month period.

(4) An individual registered as an apprentice on December 1, 2008, shall be deemed to be licensed as an apprentice for the term of the apprenticeship on such date.