AAMI Newsletter — A Guide to State Funeral Licensure (Issue 10)
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Why Licensure is Necessary
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The Big Story: Navigating the Map: A Guide to State Funeral Licensure
Hot Topics (Quick headlines)
Licensure is a necessary step toward maintaining professional funeral service standards. Funeral services, which often combine public healthcare, law, therapy, and more, mandate strict industry accountability. Therefore, state boards regulate the eligibility of applicants based on specific consumer protection laws, business standards, and ethical practices, which are tested through a licensing process.
In most states, licensure is necessary to legally operate as a funeral director, embalmer, or crematory operator. However, some states offer individual licenses for these careers while others combine them. In either case, licensure maintains the industry standards that graduates learned in their mortuary science courses in their professional lives.
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The Big Story
In 4-Parts:
What Licensure Typically Entails
What is the National Board Exam (NBE)?
Common Variations by State
States with Notable Licensing Differences
1. What Licensure Typically Entails
Funeral service licensure entails completing a mortuary science degree, up to at least an associates degree. It also necessitates successful completion of the National Board Exam (NBE), which will test one’s capacity to uphold professional standards, protect public health, and act according to the principles of their education and accredited training.
2. What Is the National Board Exam (NBE)?
The NBE is administered by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards (ICFSEB) to guarantee that individuals who hold licenses to practice funeral services act with the appropriate knowledge, professionalism, and industry ethical standards. The NBE is split into two sections: the NBE Arts and NBE Sciences.
To pass the National Board Exam, graduates must pass both sections, which entails balanced knowledge of the creative and technical aspects of mortuary science as well as experience in related clinicals.
Eligibility for the NBE relies on state guidelines or graduation from an ABFSE-accredited program. This is the American Board of Funeral Service Education, the national accreditation agency for funeral services schools.
Read more about licensure guidelines here or visit the site of The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards.
3. Common Variations By State
To better meet state-specific guidelines, funeral service students and professionals should know the many potential differences that states may enforce in their licensing processes, including, but not limited to:
1. Licensing Titles: Some states offer licenses for each role while others combine some licenses into “dual licenses” for multiple qualifications, such as funeral directing and embalming.
2. Case Expectations: Some states may expect differing numbers of case hours to become licensed for different roles. Some may call for 25 hours of supervised experience while others may demand 50.
3. State Board Exams: Each state has its own board exams to test pre-professionals on the funeral service laws in their state, state-specific business regulations, and other local practices.
4. Internship Necessities: Some states may call for internships for 6 months while others may request 2 years.
5. Reciprocity: Some licenses can transfer between states while others must be redone with new state boards.
These are not the only variations, which is why those considering entering into funeral service should inquire about the expectations in their state when planning their education applications.
4. States With Notable Licensing Differences
Not every licensure difference between states can be covered in this article, but here are some notable examples of states with licensing differences:
California: Offers separate licenses for funeral director and embalmers, mandates an additional state-specific exam, and expects apprenticeship
New York: Offers one license, including both the funeral directing and embalming parts of the National Board Exam, as well as 12 months of residency and state-specific clinical necessities
Texas: Offers a combined license for funeral directors and embalmers but emphasizes additional coursework; additionally requesting documented embalming casework and participation in arrangement conferences
Florida: Offers multiple licensing paths for directors and embalmers, including combined licenses; some coursework allows distance learning but retains a demand for in-state clinicals
Colorado: Is in the process of changing to some form of licensing expectations
You can transfer your license between states by the process of reciprocity. Reciprocity allows funeral service professionals to move their licenses to other states. Not all states allow reciprocity, while others call for additional exams, documentation, and further education.
By following the reciprocity and endorsement demands in their state, funeral professionals can relocate their business or even become licensed in multiple states.
Read more on the subject here.
✍️ AAMI Blog: The Surprising Business of (Funeral Service)… - Read Now
💻 NYSFDA Webinar: AI in Action for Funeral Homes (June 9) - Register Soon
💲Career Opportunities: Search listings in 39 state associations – Search Now
📅Leadership Conference: National Funeral Directors Assn. - Be there Aug 2-5
