Mortician Education (Licensing Guide)
To become a licensed mortician in the United States, first choose the state where you plan to work and check its current rules. Then complete an eligible funeral-service program, pass the required exam or exams, and meet any apprenticeship and application requirements. Rules vary by state, so confirm your eligibility with its licensing board before enrolling.
New tools make it easier to compare programs, attend some classes online, and plan study around work. But convenience does not replace a licensing check. A school may be accredited and still not meet the rules in the state where you hope to practice.
I advise career changers to start with the state board, not a school brochure. That simple order can prevent a costly mismatch. The steps below show how to check education, training, exams, and costs before you commit.
Funeral Service Program Overview and Admissions
A funeral-service program teaches the knowledge and skills used in funeral directing and, where allowed by law, embalming. Many programs award an associate degree, but states set their own education rules. Check the program, college, and state requirements as separate items before applying.
The American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) accredits funeral-service education programs. Use its current list to check a program’s status. Separately, check the college’s institutional accreditation in the U.S. Department of Education’s accreditation database. CHEA is a recognition organization, not an accreditor.
Program accreditation and state approval are not the same thing. A program may meet ABFSE standards, yet you still need to confirm that the state board accepts it for the license you want. Ask the board directly and keep its written reply.
There is no single national GPA, test score, or prerequisite list for admission to mortuary science programs. Each school sets its own requirements. Some may ask for specific courses, an entrance assessment, or prior college work. Review the official admissions page and ask about application deadlines.
Before you apply, ask the school:
- Is the program currently ABFSE-accredited?
- Does it meet the education rules in my intended state?
- What courses and practical experiences are required?
- Will my past credits transfer, and which ones?
- What is the full cost, including fees and supplies?
Get transfer-credit decisions in writing. Do not assume that credits accepted by one college will count toward another program or a state requirement. Your next step is to compare each answer with the state board’s checklist.
Degree Curriculum, Prerequisites, and Graduation Requirements
The curriculum combines general education with funeral-service subjects. Course names and degree plans differ by college, so review the required courses and practical work rather than relying on a program title. Graduation alone does not prove that you meet every licensing rule in your state.
Many qualifying programs award an associate degree and include about 60 semester credits. That is a common format, not a national licensing threshold. A state may require a specific program, degree, or other education. Ask its board what it accepts before you enroll.
Coursework may cover funeral service practice, business, ethics, grief, and sciences related to the care of human remains. Some programs also include supervised practical work. Confirm which parts take place on campus, in a lab, or through an approved work setting. Online study does not always mean every requirement can be completed remotely.
Build a term-by-term plan with an academic adviser. Mark prerequisites, course sequences, practical work, and graduation requirements. Then compare the plan with the licensing board’s education rules. If you have transfer credits, ask both the college and, when needed, the board how they affect your eligibility.
| Program detail | What to verify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| ABFSE status | Current listing and program name | Confirms program accreditation status |
| College accreditation | U.S. Department of Education database | Checks institutional accreditation separately |
| Credits and degree | Required courses, total credits, degree awarded | State rules may not match a common 60-credit plan |
| Practical work | Location, supervision, and schedule | May affect work and travel plans |
| Transfer credits | Written decision from the college | Prevents mistaken assumptions about time to graduate |
Academic Success, Practical Training, and Student Experience
Practical training is supervised learning tied to funeral-service work. Its form and amount depend on the school and state. Before starting, learn what must be completed, who supervises it, and whether you need separate state approval or an apprenticeship.
Working while studying can be possible, but scheduling depends on course delivery, labs, and practical requirements. Ask for a sample term schedule and the expected time on campus or at training sites. Also ask whether key courses are offered every term; a missed course can affect your graduation date.
Use an adviser to track grades, prerequisites, practical milestones, and financial-aid rules. Check academic progress at the end of each term. If you fall behind, ask early about tutoring, course repeats, or schedule changes. Do not wait until your final term to check whether all graduation requirements are complete.
An apprenticeship is supervised work required by some states for certain licenses. States set their own rules for duration, duties, timing, and supervision. A job in a funeral home does not automatically count. Confirm the rules with the board before you begin, and keep records of approved work.
Licensure, Career Pathways, and Employment Outcomes
A license is permission from a state or jurisdiction to perform regulated work. Funeral director and embalmer licenses may have different rules, and some places combine them. The exact title, education, exams, and work duties depend on the local board.
The Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards administers the National Board Examination (NBE). Do not assume that passing it alone grants a license. Check which exam sections your state requires, its passing rules, whether a state exam also applies, and how to obtain approval to test.
A typical sequence is:
- Choose the state where you intend to practice.
- Confirm its education and program-eligibility rules.
- Complete the required education and practical milestones.
- Apply for any required apprenticeship or exam authorization.
- Pass the required exams and meet other state conditions.
- Submit the license application and supporting documents.
- Check renewal and continuing-education rules before working.
The board may also set age, background-review, or other application conditions. These can change, so use the current board checklist rather than an old web page or advice from a different state. Ask what documents are required and how long review may take.
A license from one state does not automatically transfer to another. If you may move, ask the new state about endorsement, education review, exams, and any added training. Career options also depend on local rules and employer needs. A degree or exam result does not guarantee a particular job or salary.
Choosing a Program and Managing Cost
The total cost includes more than tuition. Compare fees, books, travel, practical training, and the time you may need away from paid work. Use each college’s net price calculator, then ask the financial-aid office which grants, loans, and payment plans may apply to you.
A lower-cost or fully online option is not a good value if it does not meet your state’s requirements. Before paying a deposit, confirm program eligibility with the state board. Then compare the cost and schedule of programs that do meet the rules.
| Your situation | Check first | Practical next step |
|---|---|---|
| You need to keep working | Class, lab, and practical-work schedules | Request a sample weekly schedule |
| You have college credits | Course-by-course transfer decision | Get acceptance in writing |
| You may move after graduation | Destination state’s rules | Ask about license transfer or endorsement |
| You need an online option | State acceptance and in-person requirements | Confirm all required activities and locations |
| You are comparing prices | Net cost and program eligibility | Compare only eligible programs |
Licensing Scenarios and a Step-by-Step Plan
These examples are planning scenarios, not claims about a specific student or state. They show why the right order matters: check the intended license first, then choose a program and schedule. The details in your case must come from the board and school you contact.
A working adult choosing between online and campus study: The student first checks whether the state accepts each program and whether labs or practical work require travel. They compare sample schedules and total costs, then choose a format that meets the rules and fits work commitments.
A student with prior college credits: The student asks the college for a written transfer review and maps remaining courses with an adviser. They also confirm that transferred credits do not replace any specific education required by the state board.
A graduate planning to move: The graduate checks the destination state before accepting work that requires a license. They ask about education review, exams, apprenticeship, and application documents. A license or exam from the first state may not satisfy the new state’s rules.
For your own plan, save the board’s current checklist, program accreditation details, transfer decision, degree plan, and cost estimate. Recheck requirements before applying for an exam or license, since rules and forms can change. This paper trail helps you spot a gap while there is still time to address it.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers give a starting point, not a substitute for current state rules. Funeral-service licensing is set by each jurisdiction, and requirements can differ for funeral directors, embalmers, or combined licenses. Verify details with the board where you plan to work.
How long does it take to become a mortician?
It depends on the program, course schedule, and state requirements. Education may be followed by an apprenticeship, exams, or other steps. Ask the school and state board for a plan based on your situation.
What degree do I need to become a mortician?
Many programs offer an associate degree, but the required degree or education varies by state. Confirm that the board accepts the exact program before enrolling.
Is an associate degree always enough for licensure?
No. A degree may meet an education requirement but not the exam, apprenticeship, or other conditions. Check the full state checklist.
Does every state require an apprenticeship?
No single national rule applies. Some jurisdictions require supervised work, while details vary. Ask the destination state board about duration, duties, approval, and timing.
Do I need to pass the NBE?
Your state determines which exams it requires. The NBE is administered by the Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, but passing it does not by itself grant a state license.
Can I study mortuary science online?
Some programs offer online coursework, but practical or in-person requirements may apply. Confirm that the state accepts the program and ask the school where required training takes place.
Does ABFSE accreditation guarantee that I can get licensed?
No. Check ABFSE status, the college’s institutional accreditation, and the destination state’s education rules. These are separate checks.
Will my credits from another college transfer?
Possibly, but the program decides which credits it accepts. Request a written review and confirm that your remaining courses still meet state requirements.
Can I transfer my mortician license to another state?
Do not assume so. The new state may review your education and require exams, training, or an application. Contact its board before moving or taking regulated duties.
What should I do before paying a deposit?
Confirm in writing that the program meets the destination state’s education rules. Check accreditation, transfer credits, full cost, practical requirements, and the state’s current exam and apprenticeship rules.
The efficient route is not always the shortest program or the lowest tuition. It is the eligible program that fits your life and leads through every required state step. Start with the licensing board, verify the school, and keep each decision in writing.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Richard Thornton. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
