How Long Does It Take to Become a Mortician?

It takes 3 to 5 years to become a licensed mortician, depending on your degree type and state requirements. The fastest realistic path is about 3 years; the longest is around 6 years if you pursue a bachelor’s degree plus a sequential apprenticeship.

Here’s the breakdown by education path, with real timelines and what affects each one.

Quick Timeline by Path

The associate’s degree path is by far the most common — 73% of working morticians hold an associate’s degree (O*NET data).

Phase 1: Education (1–4 Years)

Associate’s Degree — 2 Years (Most Common)

The standard path is a 2-year associate’s degree in funeral service or mortuary science from an ABFSE-accredited program.

• 58 accredited programs across the U.S.
• Typical cost: $15,000–$40,000 total
• Coursework: embalming, anatomy, funeral law, grief psychology, business management, restorative art

Use the School Finder to compare programs by cost, completion time, and graduate earnings.

Bachelor’s Degree — 4 Years

A few schools offer a bachelor’s in mortuary science or funeral service. This path:

• Takes 2 additional years compared to the associate’s
• Does not significantly increase starting salary for mortician roles
• May help if you plan to pursue funeral home management or ownership later
• Can be useful if you want a broader education foundation

Career Changer Path — 1–2 Years

If you already have a degree in another field:

• Some programs accept transfer credits, shortening the program to 12–18 months
• You still need to complete all ABFSE-required funeral service coursework
• Your prior degree does not exempt you from licensing requirements

Phase 2: Apprenticeship (1–3 Years)

Every state requires supervised practical experience before full licensure. This is where the timeline varies most.

Concurrent vs. Sequential

States that allow concurrent apprenticeship let you complete school and practical hours simultaneously, resulting in the shortest total timeline (about 3 years).

Apprenticeship duration by state examples

Check your state’s specific requirements: Mortician License Requirements by State

What the apprenticeship involves

During your apprenticeship, you work under a licensed funeral director or embalmer:

• Assisting with embalmings and restorations
• Helping arrange and direct funeral services
• Completing required case reports
• Learning business operations
• Earning a salary (typically $25,000–$35,000/year)

Phase 3: Licensing Exams (1–3 Months)

After completing education and apprenticeship:

1. National Board Exam (NBE) — Arts and Sciences sections (most states require both)
2. State jurisprudence exam — state-specific laws and regulations
3. License application — background check, fees, documentation

The exam process itself typically takes 1–3 months from scheduling to receiving your license. Most people take the NBE during or shortly after their apprenticeship.

Total Timeline Scenarios

Scenario 1: Fastest Path (~3 Years)

Age 18: Start associate's degree + concurrent apprenticeship
Age 20: Graduate, complete apprenticeship hours
Age 21: Pass NBE, receive license
→ Total: ~3 years

Scenario 2: Typical Path (~4 Years)

Age 18: Start associate's degree
Age 20: Graduate
Age 20-21: Complete 1-year apprenticeship
Age 21: Pass NBE, receive license
→ Total: ~3.5-4 years

Scenario 3: Bachelor’s Path (~5 Years)

Age 18: Start bachelor's degree
Age 22: Graduate
Age 22-23: Complete 1-year apprenticeship
Age 23: Pass NBE, receive license
→ Total: ~5 years

Scenario 4: Career Change (~3 Years)

Year 1: Complete accelerated mortuary science program (12-18 months)
Year 2-3: Complete apprenticeship (1-2 years)
Year 3: Pass NBE, receive license
→ Total: ~2.5-3.5 years

What Can Delay Your Timeline?

Is It Worth the Time?

At a median salary of $49,800 (BLS 2024) and education cost of $15,000–$40,000, the investment payback depends on your alternatives:

• Compared to no degree: The 2-year investment pays back within 3–5 years
• Compared to a 4-year degree: You enter the workforce 2 years earlier
• Job stability: 3% growth through 2034, ~5,800 annual openings

For a full financial analysis, see: Is Becoming a Mortician Worth It?

Next Steps

• Find a program: School Finder — 58 ABFSE Programs
• Check your state timeline: License Requirements by State
• See full requirements: Mortician Requirements
• Calculate ROI: Career ROI Calculator
• Explore salary: Mortician Salary by State