(225 ILCS 411/10-25)
    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2027)
    Sec. 10-25. Certification.
    (a) The Department shall authorize certification programs for cemetery manager and customer service employee applicants. The certification programs must consist of education and training in cemetery ethics, cemetery law, and cemetery practices. Cemetery ethics shall include, without limitation, the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics as set forth in Section 10-23 of this Act. Cemetery law shall include, without limitation, the Cemetery Oversight Act, the Cemetery Care Act, the Disposition of Remains Act, and the Cemetery Protection Act. Cemetery practices shall include, without limitation, treating the dead and their family members with dignity and respect. The certification program shall include an examination administered by the entity providing the certification.
    (a-5) An entity seeking to offer a certification program to cemetery manager applicants and customer service employee applicants must receive approval of its program from the Department in a manner and form prescribed by the Department by rule. As part of this process, the entity must submit to the Department the examination it offers or intends to offer as part of its certification program.
    (a-10) A cemetery manager applicant or customer service employee applicant may choose any entity that has been approved by the Department from which to obtain certification.
    (b) Cemetery manager applicants and customer service employee applicants shall pay the fee for the certification program directly to the entity offering the program.
    (c) If the cemetery manager applicant or customer service employee applicant neglects, fails, or refuses to become certified within one year after filing an application, then the application shall be denied. However, the applicant may thereafter submit a new application accompanied by the required fee. The applicant shall meet the requirements in force at the time of making the new application.
    (d) A cemetery manager applicant or customer service employee applicant who has completed a certification program offered by an entity that has not received the Department's approval as required by this Section has not met the qualifications for licensure as set forth in Section 10-21 of this Act.
    (e) The Department may approve any certification program that is conducted by a death care trade association in Illinois that has been in existence for more than 5 years that, in the determination of the Department, provides adequate education and training in cemetery law, cemetery ethics, and cemetery practices and administers an examination covering the same.
    (f) The Department may, without a hearing, summarily withdraw its approval of a certification program that, in the judgment of the Department, fails to meet the requirements of this Act or the rules adopted under this Act. A certification program that has had its approval withdrawn by the Department may reapply for approval, but shall provide such additional information as may be required by the Department, including, but not limited to, evidence to the Department's satisfaction that the program is in compliance with this Act and the rules adopted under this Act.
(Source: P.A. 102-20, eff. 6-25-21.)