The Bureau licenses and regulates funeral establishments, funeral directors, embalmers and their apprentices, crematory managers, cemetery brokers/branch, and cemetery salespersons. It also administers licensing exams and investigates complaints.
Work with religious and cultural leaders to respect their practices and reduce potential infection risk. Follow CDC’s worker safety and support guidance.
Licensed by the State of New York
The Board regulates the licensing of funeral directors, embalmers, and funeral establishments, investigates consumer/provider complaints, and provides education and training to funeral professionals. It also adjudicates and imposes disciplinary sanctions. It also oversees cemeteries and preneed sellers.
Licensed funeral directors and embalmers must attend a state-approved apprenticeship program to learn the skills of their profession. In addition, they must pass the New York law exam. This exam is usually offered near the end of the apprenticeship program.
The funeral home must have a high level of cleanliness and adhere to infection control guidelines. CDC recommendations include wearing personal protective equipment and following disinfection protocols. In addition, funeral homes should work closely with religious and cultural leaders to ensure respect for all cultures and traditions, while also ensuring worker safety. Those who are considering funeral service as a career should check with their local funeral boards to determine the specific licensure requirements for their state. They can also contact the ABFSE to find an accredited funeral service program.
Licensed by the State of California
The California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau (CFB) is the licensing and regulatory agency for all licensed funeral establishments, funeral directors, and embalmers in the State of California. They are responsible for investigating and responding to complaints made against these licensees.
A person seeking to become a licensed funeral director must have completed an approved mortuary science program and passed the Bureau exam. He or she must also have two years of experience as an apprentice embalmer under a licensed embalmer in this state. Moreover, the applicant must have submitted official certified copies of his or her examination scores from The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards in a sealed envelope to the CFB.
A licensed funeral establishment may request permission from the bureau to share a preparation and/or storage room with another funeral establishment that is within close geographical proximity to it. The application must be signed by the managing licensed funeral director and include a letter of approval from the other facility, accompanied by a fee fixed by the bureau.
Licensed by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards
The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards is a nonprofit voluntary association that provides examination services, information, and regulatory support for funeral service licensing boards, educators, and governmental bodies. Its members are responsible for licensing funeral directors and embalmers and regulating the profession of death care.
The licensing requirements vary by state. In Virginia, applicants must submit official mortuary school transcripts and pass the National and State Board exams. They must also complete an internship. The Board does not allow interstate reciprocity.
The Bureau licenses and regulates funeral homes, embalming services, crematories, and cemeteries. Its staff includes an executive director, an auditor program director, an administrative assistant, and field representatives. The board conducts inspections of licensed funeral establishments and examines cemetery endowment care and improvement trust funds and preneed funeral merchandise and services trust funds. It also investigates complaints and takes appropriate disciplinary actions.
Licensed by the American Board of Funeral Service Education
The funeral service industry requires a broad background in business, social science and natural sciences. Students in this field must pass national and state licensure exams to become licensed embalmers and funeral directors. They also must complete an internship and undergo a mortuary practical exam. These exams are administered by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards.
Students must also be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED certificate. They must attend an accredited funeral service program and pass the National Board Examination. They must also complete a one-year internship and perform 45 cases under the supervision of a licensed embalmer or funeral director.
The New Jersey Board of Funeral Service licenses funeral directors and embalmers, examines their applications and fees and investigates complaints against them. It also regulates and inspects funeral homes, crematoriums, and cemetery endowment care and special care trust funds. The Board is staffed by an executive director, administrative assistants and field representatives.