Arizona does not reduce neatly to one generic “mortician license” checklist. Arizona’s strongest primary source for individual requirements is the statute itself; it gives clean, separate requirements for funeral directors and embalmers. Start by choosing the license type that matches the work you want to do, then verify the current application packet with Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Special Licensing.
Licensing rules can change. Treat this page as a planning guide, not legal advice. Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Special Licensing is the final authority.
Quick Answer
Arizona’s statute sets separate funeral director and embalmer qualifications. Both require graduation from an accredited or provisionally accredited mortuary science school, the relevant NBE section, the relevant state laws and rules exam, and practical assistance: 25 funerals for funeral directors or 25 embalming cases for embalmers.
Which Arizona License Do You Need?
| Likely license | Who it fits | Education signal | Supervised-work signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funeral Director | People seeking Arizona authority to arrange and direct funerals. | Graduate of an accredited or provisionally accredited school of mortuary science. | The statute requires successful assistance in arranging and directing at least 25 funerals. |
| Embalmer | People seeking Arizona authority to embalm. | Graduate of an accredited or provisionally accredited school of mortuary science. | The statute requires successful assistance in embalming at least 25 dead human bodies. |
Arizona License Paths
Funeral Director
Who this is for: People seeking Arizona authority to arrange and direct funerals.
Education: Graduate of an accredited or provisionally accredited school of mortuary science.
Exams: NBE funeral service arts section; Funeral director state laws and rules examination.
Supervised work: The statute requires successful assistance in arranging and directing at least 25 funerals.
Cases or reports: At least 25 assisted funerals.
Fees and renewal: A.R.S. 32-1309 says ADHS establishes and collects application and issuance fees; check the ADHS licensing system for the current amount. Arizona statute says a license does not expire and remains valid unless revoked, suspended, or void for nonpayment or unresolved fees/penalties.
Planning note: Applicants may not have disqualifying criminal history under the applicable Arizona statute.
Embalmer
Who this is for: People seeking Arizona authority to embalm.
Education: Graduate of an accredited or provisionally accredited school of mortuary science.
Exams: NBE funeral service science section; Embalmer state laws and rules examination.
Supervised work: The statute requires successful assistance in embalming at least 25 dead human bodies.
Cases or reports: At least 25 assisted embalmings.
Fees and renewal: A.R.S. 32-1309 says ADHS establishes and collects application and issuance fees; check ADHS for current amounts. Arizona statute says a license does not expire and remains valid unless revoked, suspended, or void for nonpayment or unresolved fees/penalties.
Planning note: Arizona funeral regulation moved under ADHS in 2023.
What Can Delay Your Arizona License?
- Arizona’s license fee statute no longer gives a fixed public amount in the section reviewed; it says the Department establishes the fees.
- The 25-case requirement differs by license: funerals for funeral directors and dead human bodies embalmed for embalmers.
- Arizona’s funeral industry licensing moved under ADHS, so older references to the independent Board may be stale.
Official Arizona Links
- ADHS Bureau of Special Licensing page with Funeral Services Licensing entry.
- ADHS notice that funeral industry licensing and regulation moved under ADHS.
- Arizona qualifications statute for embalmers and funeral directors.
- Arizona fee statute.
Plan Your Next Step
If you are still choosing a school or deciding whether this state is worth the move, model the time and money path before you apply:
- Compare mortuary schools - tuition, completion, and program fit
- Run the ROI Calculator - tuition, lost income, and payback timing
- Check Arizona salary data - state wage context before committing
- View the Market Map - compare Arizona with nearby states
- Back to license requirements by state - compare rules before relocating
Sources and Method
This page was rebuilt from official Arizona board, state agency, statute, rule, application, fee, and lookup sources found with AnySearch, search-layer, and direct source extraction. Source notes are stored in data_sources/licensing/state-licensing-sources.json; structured facts are stored in data_sources/licensing/state-licensing-requirements.json.