How Can I Get a Funeral Director's License?

<p>In every state except Colorado, funeral directors must be licensed, which means you must meet the requirements set by the state in which you wish to work. While such requirements vary, they typically include being a minimum age, meeting education standards, having the proper training and passing a licensing exam. Typically, applying for licensure also requires U.S. citizenship. Some states might require additional prerequisites, such as passing a test on communicable diseases. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutMorticiansUndertakersAndFuneralDirectors">Important Facts About Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Directors</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $48,950 <i>(all morticians, undertakers, and funeral directors)</i></td></tr> <tr><td> Entry-level Education </td><td> Associate's degree</td></tr> <tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> 9% <i>(all morticians, undertakers, and funeral directors)</i></td></tr> <tr><td> Work Environment</td><td> Homes, houses of worship, funeral homes, gravesites or crematories</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---EducationRequirements">Education Requirements</h3> <p>Most funeral service or mortuary science programs lead to an associate's degree, although there are a few bachelor's degree programs. You should enroll in a program that has been accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) to ensure proper training. These programs introduce you to science topics pertinent to funeral directors, including microbiology and anatomy. You also learn embalming and restorative arts techniques. In addition to science courses, the program includes courses in business and funeral service laws and ethics, management principles and accounting; in psychology classes, you study grief and death counseling. </p> <h3 id="section---ApprenticeshipRequirements">Apprenticeship Requirements</h3> <p>Practical training and experience from an apprenticeship is usually part of state requirements. Either form of training must be done under the supervision of a licensed funeral director. In most instances, you're required to have earned a funeral service or mortuary science degree before entering an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships typically last one year and usually involve completing a minimum number of funeral services or cases. Most commonly, 25 cases must be completed during the span of the apprenticeship. </p> <h3 id="section---LicensingExamination">Licensing Examination</h3> <p>There is a national exam available through the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining. Some states' exams may also be administered through the Conference. Exams usually cover two broad areas of funeral service: arts and sciences. The arts section covers law, psychology, business, accounting and management. Microbiology, restorative arts, chemistry and anatomy are tested in the science section. Funeral directors generally must complete continuing education courses to maintain their licenses.</p>