Becoming a mortician requires meeting a specific set of education, age, licensing, and personal requirements. These are not optional — every state enforces them before you can practice legally.
This page breaks down every requirement with data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET, ABFSE, and state licensing boards.
Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | Associate’s or bachelor’s degree from ABFSE-accredited program |
| Minimum age | 18–21 (varies by state; 21 in most states) |
| Apprenticeship | 1–3 years supervised practice (state-dependent) |
| Licensing exam | National Board Exam (NBE) Arts & Sciences + state exam |
| Background check | Required in most states |
| Physical requirements | Ability to lift 50+ lbs, stand for extended periods |
| Continuing education | Required for license renewal in most states |
Education Requirements
What degree do you need?
You need a degree from an ABFSE-accredited program (American Board of Funeral Service Education). There are currently 58 accredited programs across the U.S.
According to O*NET data on current morticians:
| Education Level | Share of Workforce |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree | 73% |
| High school diploma | 15% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 8% |
| Some college, no degree | 4% |
The associate’s degree in funeral service or mortuary science is the standard path. A bachelor’s degree is accepted but not required in most states.
What do you study?
Core coursework typically includes:
- Embalming theory and practice — preservation, restoration, and cosmetic techniques
- Funeral service law and ethics — state and federal regulations (FTC Funeral Rule)
- Anatomy and physiology — human body systems relevant to preparation
- Pathology and microbiology — disease processes and safety protocols
- Chemistry — embalming chemistry and disinfection
- Business management — funeral home operations, accounting, marketing
- Grief psychology and counseling — supporting bereaved families
- Restorative art — reconstructing appearance after trauma
Use the School Finder to compare all 58 ABFSE-accredited programs by tuition, debt, earnings, and completion rate.
Age Requirements
Most states require you to be at least 21 years old to receive a full mortician or funeral director license.
Some states allow you to:
- Enter mortuary school at 18 — no state prevents you from enrolling
- Begin an apprenticeship at 18–19 — some states allow apprentice licenses before 21
- Receive a full license at 21 — this is the most common threshold
If you’re under 21, you can start education and apprenticeship hours while waiting to meet the age requirement. The timing works out naturally since a 2-year degree + 1-year apprenticeship = age 21 if you start at 18.
Apprenticeship / Internship Requirements
Every state requires supervised practical experience, but the details vary significantly:
| Requirement | Common Range |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1–3 years |
| When it can start | During or after school (state-dependent) |
| Supervision | Licensed funeral director or embalmer |
| Case reports | 25–100+ documented cases (varies by state) |
| Pay | Typically $25,000–$35,000/year |
Key differences by state
- Some states allow concurrent apprenticeship — you can complete hours while in school
- Other states require sequential apprenticeship — you must finish your degree first
- Case requirements vary widely — from 25 to 100+ documented cases
- Some states require both embalming and arrangement cases — others count them together
See your state’s specific requirements: Mortician License Requirements by State
For a first-person perspective on the apprenticeship experience, read: What to Expect in Your First Year as a Mortician Apprentice
Licensing Requirements
National Board Exam (NBE)
The NBE is administered by The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards and consists of two parts:
| Exam | Content | Format |
|---|---|---|
| NBE Arts | Funeral directing, grief counseling, business, law | 150 multiple-choice questions |
| NBE Sciences | Embalming, anatomy, pathology, microbiology, chemistry | 150 multiple-choice questions |
Both sections must be passed. Most states require NBE passage for licensure.
State-specific exams
In addition to the NBE, most states require:
- A state jurisprudence exam covering state-specific funeral laws
- Some states have their own practical exams
License types
Depending on the state, you may need:
- Funeral Director license — for arranging and directing services
- Embalmer license — for preparation of remains
- Combined license — covers both roles (most common for morticians)
- Apprentice/Intern license — temporary license during training
Background Check Requirements
Most states require a criminal background check as part of the licensing process. This typically includes:
- FBI fingerprint check — national criminal history
- State criminal history — state-level records
- Character references — professional and personal references
- Disclosure of convictions — prior felonies may disqualify or require board review
A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you in all states, but felonies involving fraud, violence, or moral turpitude are typically disqualifying. Each state board evaluates on a case-by-case basis.
Physical Requirements
Mortician work has real physical demands. While there is no formal physical exam in most states, the job requires:
- Lifting capacity: Regular lifting of 50–150+ lbs (moving remains, caskets)
- Standing endurance: 4–8 hours on your feet during preparation and services
- Fine motor skills: Precision work in embalming, restoration, and cosmetology
- Chemical tolerance: Working with formaldehyde and other embalming chemicals (proper PPE required)
- Irregular hours: On-call nights, weekends, and holidays
Skills and Personal Qualities
O*NET data identifies these as the most important skills and qualities for morticians:
Top Technical Skills
- Active listening
- Service orientation
- Social perceptiveness
- Coordination
- Critical thinking
Key Personal Qualities
- Emotional resilience — handling death and grieving families daily
- Attention to detail — precision in preparation and legal documentation
- Compassion — genuine care for families during difficult moments
- Discretion — maintaining confidentiality about families and circumstances
- Composure under pressure — managing multiple services, tight timelines, and emotional situations
For an honest look at the emotional demands, read: The Emotional Challenges of Being a Mortician
Continuing Education
Most states require continuing education (CE) to maintain your license:
| Requirement | Common Range |
|---|---|
| CE hours per renewal cycle | 6–30 hours |
| Renewal cycle | 1–3 years |
| Topics typically required | Embalming updates, law changes, ethics, OSHA safety |
Failure to complete CE hours results in license suspension or non-renewal.
Summary: Full Requirements Checklist
- Complete ABFSE-accredited degree (2–4 years)
- Meet state age requirement (usually 21)
- Complete apprenticeship/internship (1–3 years)
- Pass NBE Arts and Sciences exams
- Pass state jurisprudence exam
- Clear background check
- Submit license application and fees
- Begin continuing education for license maintenance
Total time from start to licensed practice: 3–5 years
Next Steps
- Compare schools: School Finder — 58 ABFSE Programs
- Check your state: License Requirements by State
- Calculate costs: Career ROI Calculator
- Explore salary: Mortician Salary Calculator