How to Become a Licensed Funeral Director in 2026: Complete State-by-State Guide

Becoming a licensed funeral director is a meaningful career path that combines compassionate service with rigorous professional training. Funeral directors guide families through one of the most difficult experiences of their lives, managing everything from body preparation and legal documentation to memorial services and grief support. Because the work involves public health, legal compliance, and direct care for grieving families, every state requires a formal license before you can practice independently.

Licensing requirements vary significantly from state to state. Across the 51 states in our database, 50 require passage of the National Board Examination, 50 mandate a formal apprenticeship period, and 42 operate as dual-license states where you must hold separate funeral director and embalmer credentials. The average continuing education requirement is 11.1 hours per renewal cycle, and average total initial licensing fees run approximately $541.

This guide walks through every major requirement — from education and board exams to apprenticeships, embalming credentials, and ongoing renewal — so you know exactly what to expect regardless of which state you plan to practice in.

What Does a Funeral Director Do?

Funeral directors, sometimes called morticians or undertakers, are licensed professionals responsible for coordinating and carrying out funeral and burial services. Their work spans a broad range of responsibilities that require both technical skill and genuine empathy.

On the administrative side, funeral directors obtain and file death certificates, secure burial permits, coordinate with coroners and medical examiners, and ensure all legal documentation is properly completed. They consult with families to plan memorial services, select caskets or urns, arrange for transportation of remains, and coordinate with cemeteries, crematories, and clergy.

On the technical side, many funeral directors are also licensed embalmers, performing the preservation and restorative art of embalming when requested or required. Even in states where funeral director and embalmer are separate licenses, funeral directors typically work closely with embalmers and oversee preparation of remains for viewing.

Funeral directors also play a grief support role. Many have training in bereavement counseling and serve as a steady, compassionate presence for families navigating loss. The profession demands emotional resilience, attention to detail, organizational skill, and a deep respect for diverse cultural and religious traditions surrounding death.

Step 1: Complete an Accredited Mortuary Science Program

The first formal step toward licensure is completing a mortuary science or funeral service education program accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE). ABFSE is the national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education specifically for funeral service education programs.

Most states require graduation from an ABFSE-accredited program as a prerequisite for licensure. Programs are offered at the associate degree level (typically two years) and the bachelor's degree level (four years). Some states specify a minimum degree level, while others accept either.

A typical mortuary science curriculum covers:

• Embalming theory and technique — chemical processes, restorative art, sanitation, and infection control
• Anatomy and pathology — human body systems, disease processes relevant to funeral service
• Funeral directing and management — arrangement conferences, service planning, cemetery coordination
• Funeral law — federal Trade Commission Funeral Rule, state statutes, death certificates, burial permits
• Grief counseling and psychology — bereavement theory, family communication, trauma-informed care
• Business management — accounting, marketing, funeral home operations
• Microbiology and chemistry — foundational sciences supporting embalming and public health practice

ABFSE-accredited programs are available across the country at community colleges, universities, and dedicated mortuary science schools. You can search the full list of accredited programs on the ABFSE website at abfse.org.

Step 2: Pass the National Board Examination (NBE)

The National Board Examination (NBE) is administered by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards (ICFSEB), also known as the Conference. It is the primary national licensing exam for funeral service professionals in the United States and is currently required by 50 states in our database.

The NBE consists of two separate examinations:

• Arts Examination — covers the funeral directing and management aspects of funeral service, including business practices, funeral law, grief counseling, and arrangement procedures
• Sciences Examination — covers the technical and scientific aspects, including embalming theory and practice, restorative art, microbiology, and chemistry

Depending on the state and the specific license being sought (funeral director only, embalmer only, or both), candidates may be required to pass one or both sections. States that issue a combined funeral director/embalmer license typically require both sections. States with separate licenses may only require the Arts section for a funeral director license.

To be eligible to sit for the NBE, most states require that candidates have graduated from or be enrolled in an ABFSE-accredited program. Some states also require the apprenticeship to be completed or underway before testing. Check your state's specific eligibility rules with your state funeral board.

The NBE is computer-based and administered at testing centers nationwide. Scores are reported on a scaled basis, and passing thresholds are set by the individual states. Full information about exam content, scheduling, and fees is available at theconferenceonline.org.

Step 3: Complete an Apprenticeship (Where Required)

An apprenticeship requires you to work under the direct supervision of a licensed funeral director for a specified period before you can obtain your own independent license. 50 states in our database require a formal apprenticeship as part of the licensure process.

Apprenticeship durations vary considerably by state. The most common requirement is one year, but some states require two or three years of supervised practice. A few states allow the apprenticeship to run concurrently with mortuary science education, while others require it to begin only after graduation.

During an apprenticeship, you gain hands-on experience in all aspects of funeral service under a licensed sponsor. Typical apprenticeship activities include:

• Assisting with or performing embalming procedures
• Conducting arrangement conferences with families under supervision
• Completing and filing death certificates and burial permits
• Coordinating transportation and transfer of remains
• Directing funeral and memorial services alongside the supervising licensee
• Operating funeral home management and accounting systems

Most states require the apprenticeship sponsor to be a currently licensed funeral director in good standing within that state. The apprentice must typically register with the state funeral board before beginning supervised practice, and the sponsor may be limited in how many apprentices they can supervise at one time.

States that do not require a formal apprenticeship still expect candidates to gain practical experience through their accredited educational program, which includes supervised clinical hours.

Dual License States: Funeral Director and Embalmer

In 42 states, the funeral director license and the embalmer license are separate credentials that must each be independently obtained. In these dual-license states, holding a funeral director license does not automatically authorize you to perform embalming, and vice versa. If you intend to perform the full scope of funeral service work — including body preparation — you must hold both licenses.

Each license in a dual-license state typically has its own application, exam, and renewal requirements. The embalmer license generally requires demonstration of technical embalming competency, often through the Sciences section of the NBE and a separate set of practical requirements. The funeral director license focuses on arrangement, management, and legal compliance.

The following states in our database operate as dual-license states:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

In states that do not separate the two credentials, funeral directors receive a single combined license that covers both directing and embalming. Even so, most combined-license states expect candidates to pass both sections of the NBE or demonstrate competency in both areas through their education and apprenticeship.

Embalming Requirements

Embalming is the process of chemically preserving and sanitizing human remains to delay decomposition and prepare the body for viewing or transportation. While embalming is not legally required in most circumstances under federal or state law, some situations do mandate it — such as when remains are being transported across state lines by common carrier or after certain lengths of time have elapsed.

From a licensing perspective, 50 states in our database require a separate embalmer license (i.e., they are dual-license states where embalming authority is not bundled with the funeral director credential). In the remaining states, embalming authority is either included in the funeral director license or handled through a separate but closely linked credentialing process.

Regardless of licensing structure, embalming competency is a core component of mortuary science education. ABFSE-accredited programs include laboratory instruction in embalming technique, restorative art, and related sciences. The Sciences section of the NBE also assesses embalming knowledge specifically.

Funeral directors who do not perform embalming themselves typically work in states where they are not required to hold an embalmer license, or they work in larger funeral homes that employ dedicated licensed embalmers. In smaller funeral homes and rural settings, it is common for the funeral director to hold both credentials.

State-by-State Funeral Director Licensing Requirements

The table below summarizes key licensing requirements across all 51 states in our database. Click any state name to see its full licensing details.

Continuing Education Requirements

Funeral director licenses are not permanent. Nearly every state requires licensees to complete a minimum number of continuing education (CE) hours each renewal cycle to maintain their license in good standing. Continuing education keeps funeral directors current on changes in funeral law, public health regulations, grief care best practices, business management, and evolving consumer preferences.

Across states in our database, the average CE requirement is 11.1 hours per renewal cycle. Renewal cycles commonly run one, two, or three years. Some states specify that a portion of CE hours must come from approved funeral service providers or cover specific topics such as ethics, preneed regulations, or infectious disease protocols.

Common sources of approved continuing education for funeral directors include:

• National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) — offers online courses, convention programming, and webinars that are accepted in most states
• State funeral director associations — host annual conventions and seminars with pre-approved CE credit
• Mortuary science schools — some ABFSE programs offer CE workshops open to licensed practitioners
• Online providers — several vendors offer self-study CE courses specifically approved for funeral service licensees

Always confirm that a CE provider and specific course is approved by your state funeral board before enrolling. Approved provider lists are typically published on the state board's website.

Typical Path to Licensure: A Step-by-Step Summary

1. Earn a high school diploma or GED. Some mortuary science programs require college prerequisite courses in sciences (biology, chemistry). Check individual program admission requirements.
2. Complete an ABFSE-accredited mortuary science program. This takes two years for an associate degree or four years for a bachelor's degree. Coursework covers embalming, funeral law, business, and grief counseling.
3. Pass the National Board Examination (NBE). Most states require passage of the Arts section, the Sciences section, or both, administered by ICFSEB. Some states allow candidates to sit while still in school or during their apprenticeship.
4. Complete an apprenticeship (if required by your state). Register with your state board, find a licensed sponsor, and fulfill the required hours of supervised practice — typically one to three years.
5. Apply for your state funeral director license. Submit your application, transcripts, exam scores, proof of completed apprenticeship, and applicable fees to your state funeral board.
6. Obtain an embalmer license if required (dual-license states). In states that separate the credentials, file a separate application for your embalmer license with its own documentation and fee requirements.
7. Maintain your license through continuing education. Complete CE hours each renewal cycle and renew on time to avoid lapse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

The information on this page is compiled from official regulatory and professional sources. Requirements change; always verify current rules with your state funeral board before making educational or career decisions.

• National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) — The largest funeral service trade association in the United States, providing industry statistics, continuing education, and advocacy resources. nfda.org
• American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) — The national accrediting agency for funeral service education programs, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Maintains the directory of accredited programs. abfse.org
• International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards (ICFSEB / The Conference) — Administers the National Board Examination (NBE) and maintains examination content, eligibility requirements, and score reporting. theconferenceonline.org
• State Funeral Service Licensing Boards — Individual state boards regulate licensing, set education and examination requirements, oversee apprenticeships, and administer renewals. Links to each state board are available on the individual state pages linked in the table above.
• U.S. Federal Trade Commission — Funeral Rule — Federal regulation governing funeral pricing disclosure, itemization, and consumer rights. ftc.gov
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook: Funeral Service Workers — Employment statistics, wage data, and job outlook for funeral service occupations. bls.gov

Data last reviewed March 2026. Licensing requirements change regularly. Always confirm current requirements directly with your state funeral service licensing board.