Important Changes to Continuing Education Requirements

Jan. 3, 2020

Since 1938, funeral professionals in Ontario have committed to lifelong learning through participating in mandatory professional development programming on a regular basis.

The BAO believes that continuing education is a priority and an important component of any profession, and effective January 1, 2020 will require funeral licensees to complete a minimum of six (6) hours of continuing education or professional development each year. This means that a funeral licensee renewing their licence in the fall of 2020 for the 2021 licence year will have completed 6 hours of continuing education to be eligible for renewal.

To qualify for continuing education credit, the course must be:

1. Delivered through the provincial associations (OFSA and OACFP) or College Boreal and Humber College, and/or
2. Approved by the Bereavement Education Committee (BEC)*

Approved con-ed opportunities will be advertised on the BAO, OFSA, OACFP, Humber College and Collège Boréal websites. No courses, seminars, conferences or events originating from outside of the province or from other associations will qualify for credit unless they have received prior approval of the BEC. Individual licensees should inquire with the BEC prior to registering for these programs if they intend to use them for con-ed credit. Programs that qualified in the past as professional development do not automatically qualify in the future.

Qualifying courses will be identified as either Category A or Category B content. A maximum of 2 hours from Category B courses will qualify for con-ed credit. The remaining 4 hours must be from Category A.

Category A – Technical / Professional Skills:

• Embalming
• Restorative Art
• Business management (marketing, personnel management, accounting, computer applications)
• Ethical Issues
• Legal Interpretations
• Regulatory Issues
• Communications Skills
• Sales techniques

Category B – Self Care:

• Counseling
• Grief Psychology
• Family Care
• Stress Management
• Motivational presentations

As in the past, funeral licensees are required to self-report the details of their continuing education on their licensing renewal forms on an annual basis and must retain evidence of course completion to substantiate their credit.

*Bereavement Education Committee: The associations, OACFP and OFSA, in consultation with College Boreal and Humber College have created a committee to receive and assess applications and give accreditation to third-party providers. Offerings will only be eligible for con-ed credit if the provider and content has been approved and accredited by the BEC.

Click here for answers to the most frequently asked questions.

For questions or to apply, contact the BEC: apply@bereavementeducation.org