Arkansas does not reduce neatly to one generic “mortician license” checklist. Arkansas is an apprenticeship-first state: the application page links separate funeral director, embalmer, apprentice, out-of-state, and renewal packets, while the rules define the service and body counts that matter. Start by choosing the license type that matches the work you want to do, then verify the current application packet with Arkansas State Board of Embalmers, Funeral Directors, Cemeteries, and Burial Services.
Licensing rules can change. Treat this page as a planning guide, not legal advice. Arkansas State Board of Embalmers, Funeral Directors, Cemeteries, and Burial Services is the final authority.
Quick Answer
Arkansas separates funeral director and embalmer preparation. A funeral director apprentice normally serves 18 months and assists with 50 services, while an embalmer apprentice serves one year and assists with 50 bodies. The ARLRR law and rules exam is central for both paths, and embalmer applicants also need both parts of the National Conference Exam.
Which Arkansas License Do You Need?
| Likely license | Who it fits | Education signal | Supervised-work signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funeral Director | People who want Arkansas authority to conduct the business of funeral directing. | Before apprenticeship, the applicant must be at least 18 and have a high school diploma, equivalent certificate, college diploma, or college transcript showing graduation. A graduate of an accredited mortuary science school who has passed the National Conference Exam can shorten the funeral director apprenticeship to one year. | 18 months in an Arkansas-licensed establishment under a licensed Arkansas funeral director, with active assistance in arranging and conducting 50 services. The period can be one year for a qualified mortuary science graduate who has passed the National Conference Exam. |
| Embalmer | People who want Arkansas authority to practice embalming. | The apprentice must be at least 18 and have high school, equivalent, or college graduation proof. The embalmer apprentice must enroll in mortuary school within one year of beginning apprenticeship unless already a qualifying graduate. | One year in an Arkansas licensed establishment under a board-licensed embalmer, assisting in preparation of at least 50 bodies. |
Arkansas License Paths
Funeral Director
Who this is for: People who want Arkansas authority to conduct the business of funeral directing.
Education: Before apprenticeship, the applicant must be at least 18 and have a high school diploma, equivalent certificate, college diploma, or college transcript showing graduation. A graduate of an accredited mortuary science school who has passed the National Conference Exam can shorten the funeral director apprenticeship to one year.
Exams: Arkansas Laws, Rules, and Regulations Exam (ARLRR) with a 75% passing score.
Supervised work: 18 months in an Arkansas-licensed establishment under a licensed Arkansas funeral director, with active assistance in arranging and conducting 50 services. The period can be one year for a qualified mortuary science graduate who has passed the National Conference Exam.
Cases or reports: Individual case reports must be signed by the apprentice and supervisor and filed with the board by the tenth day of the following month.
Fees and renewal: The official apprenticeship page lists a $50 per-apprenticeship application fee plus a $22 ASP-122 background-check fee. Verify the current full-license application fee in the Arkansas packet. The renewal period runs November 1 through December 31. Arkansas lists 6 CE hours for renewal and a $50 per-quarter late penalty for individuals.
Planning note: A funeral director apprentice must complete at least 6 classroom hours during apprenticeship in funeral service practices, ethics, laws, and rules.
Embalmer
Who this is for: People who want Arkansas authority to practice embalming.
Education: The apprentice must be at least 18 and have high school, equivalent, or college graduation proof. The embalmer apprentice must enroll in mortuary school within one year of beginning apprenticeship unless already a qualifying graduate.
Exams: Both parts of the National Conference Exam; Arkansas Laws, Rules, and Regulations Exam (ARLRR) with a 75% passing score.
Supervised work: One year in an Arkansas licensed establishment under a board-licensed embalmer, assisting in preparation of at least 50 bodies.
Cases or reports: Monthly case reports must be signed by the apprentice and supervising embalmer and filed by the tenth day of the following month.
Fees and renewal: The apprenticeship page lists a $50 per-apprenticeship application fee and $22 background-check fee; verify current full-license fees in the official embalmer packet. Renew during the November 1 to December 31 window; Arkansas lists 6 CE hours for renewal.
Planning note: Failure to enroll in mortuary school within one year can terminate the apprenticeship for up to 90 days or until enrollment, whichever is shorter.
What Can Delay Your Arkansas License?
- Do not treat Arkansas apprenticeship registration as optional; the exam rule says applicants for examination must be registered as apprentice funeral director, apprentice embalmer, or both.
- Graduates of an accredited mortuary school may be immediately eligible for the ARLRR, but full licensure still depends on meeting the other board requirements.
- Any omitted apprenticeship application item can delay processing, including notarized statements, ID, education proof, and background-check paperwork.
Official Arkansas Links
- Official Arkansas Embalmers and Funeral Directors board section.
- Official licensing packet index and renewal/CE notes.
- Official apprenticeship forms, fees, documents, and delay warning.
- Rule 17 CAR 30-301, embalming apprenticeship requirements.
- Rule 17 CAR 30-302, funeral-directing apprenticeship requirements.
- Rule 17 CAR 30-402, examinations and licensure.
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 Arkansas salary data - state wage context before committing
- View the Market Map - compare Arkansas with nearby states
- Back to license requirements by state - compare rules before relocating
Sources and Method
This page was rebuilt from official Arkansas board, agency, statute, rule, application, fee, renewal, and lookup sources found with AnySearch, search-layer, direct source extraction, and PDF text extraction where needed. Source notes are stored in data_sources/licensing/state-licensing-sources.json; structured facts are stored in data_sources/licensing/state-licensing-requirements.json.