Licensure Requirements for Funeral Directors, Embalmers, and Funeral Establishments
Three credentials, three files
The exam tests whether you can separate the person licenses from the facility license. A funeral director license authorizes arranging and directing funerals. An embalmer license authorizes embalming. A funeral establishment license authorizes the physical business location. One person may hold both individual licenses, but each requires its own application and renewal.
Individual requirements
Applicants generally must be at least 18, have a high school diploma or equivalent, complete an accredited mortuary science education, serve the required apprenticeship, pass the required examinations, pay fees, and clear a criminal-history/character review. The apprenticeship is supervised practical training; it does not replace the educational program. Embalmer applicants must document embalming education and practical training. License renewal requires continuing education and timely fee payment.
Establishment requirements
A funeral establishment must have an identifiable physical facility, a licensed funeral director in charge, proper preparation-room and sanitation arrangements if embalming is performed, refrigeration or holding capacity, and public areas suitable for arrangements. The license must be displayed. The bureau must be notified of changes in ownership, name, location, or director in charge. An establishment may not operate on an expired or lapsed license.
Worked example
An applicant completes a mortuary science associate degree but has no apprenticeship. The applicant asks whether the degree can be accepted in place of supervised training. It cannot: education and apprenticeship are separate statutory requirements. The application is incomplete until the supervised training is documented.
Traps that cost marks
Do not conflate funeral director and embalmer credentials. Do not assume a funeral establishment license lets an unlicensed person embalm. Do not overlook change-of-ownership notice; a new owner cannot simply continue under the seller’s license.