Mortician requirements are the fixed eligibility rules you must satisfy before you can practice legally: education, age, apprenticeship, exams, licensing, background checks, renewal rules, and job-readiness skills. These requirements are not optional; every state enforces them before you can work independently.
This is the main checklist page for searches like “mortician requirements,” “mortician education requirements,” and “what are the requirements to become a mortician.” It breaks down each requirement with data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET, ABFSE, and state licensing boards.
Use this page when you need the item-by-item requirements checklist. If you want the step-by-step sequence from school to license, read How to Become a Mortician. If you already know your state, jump to Mortician License Requirements by State. Keep this distinction clear: the how-to guide owns the career path sequence; this page owns the checklist of eligibility rules.
Intent shortcut: use this checklist for “mortician requirements” and “mortician education requirements.” Use How to Become a Mortician for “how to become a mortician,” “how to be a mortician,” and “how do you become a mortician.”
Quick Answer: What Are the Requirements to Become a Mortician?
To become a mortician, most new entrants need an ABFSE-accredited funeral service or mortuary science degree, a state-approved apprenticeship or internship, passage of the National Board Exam and any state law exam, and a state funeral director, embalmer, or combined funeral service license. Many states also require you to be 21, clear a background check, and complete continuing education after licensure.
Use this page as the national checklist, then verify the exact rules in your state before choosing a school or starting an apprenticeship. For the full sequence, read How to Become a Mortician. For state rules, use Mortician License Requirements by State. For the financial side, compare Mortician Salary 2026 before you commit to a program.
In practice, the requirement stack is simple: education -> apprenticeship -> exams -> license. The details change by state, but that sequence is the planning baseline for most students.
| If your question is… | Use this page |
|---|---|
| What are the mortician requirements? | This checklist page. |
| I need the step-by-step career path. | How to Become a Mortician. |
| Do I need a degree to be a mortician? | Do You Need a Degree to Be a Mortician?. |
| Can I work in funeral service without a degree? | Can You Become a Mortician Without a Degree?. |
| What does my state require? | Mortician License Requirements by State. |
| Requirement question | Typical answer | What can change by state |
|---|---|---|
| What education is needed to be a mortician? | Usually an ABFSE-accredited associate’s degree in funeral service or mortuary science. | Some states accept different degree levels or additional state coursework. |
| Do you need a license to be a mortician? | Yes, for independent funeral director, embalmer, or combined mortician practice. | License title, exams, apprenticeship timing, and renewal rules vary. |
| How old do you have to be? | Many states use 21 for full licensure, while school or apprentice entry can start earlier. | Some states allow apprentice registration before full license age. |
| Can you become a mortician without a degree? | Usually not for a full license; support or apprentice roles may differ. | A few state-specific or limited roles may have different rules. |
If age is your main question, use the focused Mortician Age Requirements guide before planning school or apprenticeship timing.
State Verification Checklist Before You Choose a School
Use the national checklist to understand the requirement categories, then verify the state-specific rule before you spend money on an application, tuition deposit, or relocation. The common mistake is treating “mortician requirements” as one national answer when the license is issued by a state board.
| Verify this requirement | Why it changes the decision | Best next page |
|---|---|---|
| License title and scope | Some states separate funeral director and embalmer licenses; others use a combined funeral service path. | License Requirements by State |
| Accepted education | A nearby or online program is only useful if it satisfies the target state’s education rule. | School Finder |
| Apprenticeship timing | Some states allow hours during school; others require the degree first, changing the total timeline. | How Long Does It Take to Become a Mortician? |
| Age and background rules | Entry, apprentice registration, and full-license age can differ from the school start date. | Mortician Age Requirements |
| Pay after licensure | A requirement path is only worth it if the target state or metro can support the school cost. | Mortician Salary by State |
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.
Do you need a degree to be a mortician?
Yes, in most states you need an accredited funeral service or mortuary science degree before you can qualify for full licensure. The common path is a 2-year associate’s degree, followed by an apprenticeship and licensing exams. A small number of state-specific pathways may differ, so always check the state license requirements before enrolling.
What education is needed to be a mortician?
The standard education needed to be a mortician is an ABFSE-accredited associate’s degree in funeral service or mortuary science. Students who want a broader management path can choose a bachelor’s degree, but most entry-level licensing paths are built around the associate’s degree plus supervised practice.
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.
For a deeper breakdown of school, support work, apprentice registration, and full-license age rules, read How Old Do You Have to Be to Be a Mortician?.
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
- Check age timing: Mortician Age Requirements
- Calculate costs: Career ROI Calculator
- Explore salary: Mortician Salary Calculator
Data Sources and Method
- Career data: BLS, O*NET, ABFSE, The Conference, NFDA, and state licensing references where relevant.
- Salary context: project salary-tool.json and cited third-party compensation datasets where the article compares pay.
- Method: career guides synthesize public career, licensing, school, and salary data into practical decision guidance.
- Limits: final licensing, school, and employer requirements should be verified with the official source before making a decision.
Next Step: Compare Your Options
Use the free Salary Calculator to check pay in your target state, then compare programs in the School Finder and run the Career ROI Calculator before you commit to a school or relocation plan.
If you want a more guided path, compare Free vs Pro or request a personalized deep report during the launch period.