Professional License
How to Verify a Funeral Director License
Funeral directors and embalmers are licensed by state funeral or mortuary science boards. There is no national license database — verification requires a direct lookup with the state board in the jurisdiction where the funeral director practices. Here is how to navigate the process.
Quick answer
Verify directly with the state funeral board, board of embalmers, or mortuary science board in the state where the funeral director practices. All states regulate funeral directing and embalming; most maintain free public license lookups. Confirm Active status, expiration date, license type (funeral director, embalmer, or dual license), and any disciplinary history.
License types: funeral director vs. embalmer
Most states issue separate licenses for funeral directing and embalming, though many practitioners hold both. The distinction matters for role compliance:
| License Type | Authorized Activities |
|---|---|
| Funeral Director | Arranging and directing funerals, making burial arrangements, death certificates, transportation of remains, family counseling; typically does not authorize embalming |
| Embalmer | Preservation, disinfection, and restoration of human remains; requires specific technical training beyond funeral directing |
| Dual License (Funeral Director & Embalmer) | Both funeral directing and embalming; required for full independent funeral service practice in most states |
| Funeral Home Manager / Establishment License | Business license for operating a funeral establishment; separate from individual practitioner license |
Confirm that the license type matches the scope of the role being filled. A funeral director's license alone does not authorize embalming.
State funeral board lookup portals
State funeral/mortuary board license lookups (selected)
- California: California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau — cfb.ca.gov; License Search
- Texas: Texas Funeral Service Commission — tfsc.texas.gov; License Verification
- Florida: Florida DBPR — myfloridalicense.com; search Funeral Director or Embalmer
- New York: NYS Department of Health — health.ny.gov; Funeral Director License Lookup
- Pennsylvania: PA State Board of Funeral Directors — dos.pa.gov; License Search
- Illinois: Illinois IDFPR — idfpr.illinois.gov/LicenseLookup; Funeral Director or Embalmer
- Ohio: Ohio Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors — funeral.ohio.gov; License Lookup
- Georgia: Georgia State Board of Funeral Service — sos.ga.gov; License Lookup
- North Carolina: NC Board of Funeral Service — ncbfs.org; License Verification
For states not listed, search “[State] funeral director license verification” or “[State] board of embalmers and funeral directors” to find the relevant portal.
NBE: the national board exam
The National Board Examination (NBE) is administered by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards (ICFSEB) and is used as the licensing exam in most states. The NBE has two components:
- Arts Examination: Covers funeral directing, funeral service management, and client service
- Science Examination: Covers embalming, restorative art, and mortuary science
Many states accept one or both NBE components as their state licensing exam. Passing the NBE is a prerequisite for obtaining a state license, but it does not constitute a license. The state board issues the license.
ICFSEB exam records can be requested through the conference (theicfseb.org) but state board records are authoritative for current license status.
Apprenticeship requirements
Most states require funeral directors to complete a supervised apprenticeship (typically 1–2 years) under a licensed funeral director before obtaining a full license. Apprentice funeral directors and embalmer trainees hold provisional registrations that appear on state board records.
When hiring for a full funeral director role, confirm the candidate holds a full license (not an apprentice or trainee registration). For apprentice-level roles, confirm the provisional registration is active and the supervising funeral director is identified.
Common disciplinary violations
State funeral board disciplinary records are public. Common violations include:
- Mishandling or misidentification of human remains
- Fraudulent billing or overcharging families (FTC Funeral Rule violations)
- Failure to disclose pricing as required by the FTC Funeral Rule
- Practicing without a license or on an expired license
- Failure to comply with transportation, storage, or disposition regulations
- Handling infectious remains without proper precautions
- Unauthorized disposition of remains
Preneed permit verification
Funeral directors who sell preneed funeral arrangements (contracts paid in advance for future funeral services) typically need a separate preneed permit or license. Preneed fraud — misappropriating funds intended for future funeral services — is a specific risk area in funeral home operations.
For funeral directors in preneed sales roles, confirm the preneed permit or authorization is active on the state board record, separate from the standard funeral director license.
Verification checklist
- 1. Collect the funeral director's name, license number, and state of licensure
- 2. Search the state funeral or mortuary board portal — confirm Active status and expiration date
- 3. Confirm license type matches role scope — funeral director, embalmer, or both
- 4. Review the full disciplinary record — check for any misconduct, revocations, or probation orders
- 5. For preneed roles, confirm the preneed permit or authorization is separately active
- 6. For apprentice-level hires, confirm provisional registration is active and supervision is documented
- 7. Set renewal reminder — funeral director licenses typically renew every 1–2 years depending on state
Verify mortuary science program accreditation
Funeral service and mortuary science programs must be accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE). Use VerifyED to confirm that a candidate's mortuary science program was accredited before accepting their educational credentials.
Search Schools and Accreditation →