(a) The board shall be authorized to require persons seeking renewal of an embalmer's license under this chapter to complete board approved continuing education of not less than ten hours biennially. The board shall be authorized to approve courses offered by institutions of higher learning, specialty societies, or professional organizations or by others the board deems appropriate.

(b) The board shall be authorized to waive the continuing education requirement in cases of hardship, disability, illness, or under other such circumstances as the board deems appropriate.

(c) The continuing education requirement pursuant to this Code section shall be waived for persons who hold an inactive license or for licensed individuals over the age of 65.

(d) An embalmer who is also a licensed funeral director and who completes the continuing education requirements for funeral directors pursuant to Code Section 43-18-56 shall not be required to complete additional continuing education requirements pursuant to this Code section.

(e) The board shall be authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to implement and ensure compliance with the requirements of this Code section.

(f) This Code section shall apply to each licensing renewal cycle which begins after the 1996 renewal.