Kansas does not reduce neatly to one generic “mortician license” checklist. Kansas is not a generic combined-license state: the statutes define separate funeral director, assistant funeral director, and embalmer pathways, and the Secretary of State fee rule gives a current fee table. Start by choosing the license type that matches the work you want to do, then verify the current application packet with Kansas State Board of Mortuary Arts.
Licensing rules can change. Treat this page as a planning guide, not legal advice. Kansas State Board of Mortuary Arts is the final authority.
Quick Answer
Kansas keeps funeral director and embalmer routes distinct. Funeral director applicants need 60 semester hours, one year as a licensed Kansas assistant funeral director, and 25 assisted funeral services. Embalmer applicants need an approved mortuary science degree route, a board-approved exam, and a 12-month apprenticeship that may be full or split.
Which Kansas License Do You Need?
| Likely license | Who it fits | Education signal | Supervised-work signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funeral Director | People who conduct funerals, make interments, or engage in funeral-directing business in Kansas. | The statute requires legal age and at least 60 semester hours from an accredited community college, college, or university, with 20 semester hours in subjects designated by the Kansas State Board of Mortuary Arts. | At least one year of full-time practical experience as a licensed Kansas assistant funeral director under a Kansas licensed funeral director. |
| Embalmer | People seeking Kansas authority to practice embalming. | Current Kansas statute points to graduation with at least an AA degree in mortuary science approved by the board. The older route was 60 semester hours plus a 12-month mortuary science course with at least 30 semester hours in mortuary science. | A full-time 12-month apprenticeship under a Kansas licensed embalmer or board-approved embalmer. Kansas permits a full post-graduation apprenticeship or a split apprenticeship of two continuous six-month periods. |
| Assistant Funeral Director | People using the Kansas practical-experience route before applying for a funeral director license. | Use the Board application for the current assistant funeral director requirements. | The funeral director statute requires the later applicant to have worked full time for at least one year as a licensed Kansas assistant funeral director. |
Kansas License Paths
Funeral Director
Who this is for: People who conduct funerals, make interments, or engage in funeral-directing business in Kansas.
Education: The statute requires legal age and at least 60 semester hours from an accredited community college, college, or university, with 20 semester hours in subjects designated by the Kansas State Board of Mortuary Arts.
Exams: Kansas funeral director examination.
Supervised work: At least one year of full-time practical experience as a licensed Kansas assistant funeral director under a Kansas licensed funeral director.
Cases or reports: The application must show assistance in conducting at least 25 funeral services, supported by a verified written list of cases, dates, and places.
Fees and renewal: The 2024 Kansas Register fee rule lists a $200 funeral director examination fee, $350 reciprocity application fee, and $288 biennial funeral director license and renewal fee. Kansas lists a biennial funeral director license and renewal fee. The official continuing education page should be checked before renewal.
Planning note: Kansas law says an applicant does not need to be a licensed embalmer to obtain a funeral director license.
Embalmer
Who this is for: People seeking Kansas authority to practice embalming.
Education: Current Kansas statute points to graduation with at least an AA degree in mortuary science approved by the board. The older route was 60 semester hours plus a 12-month mortuary science course with at least 30 semester hours in mortuary science.
Exams: Board-approved embalmer examination.
Supervised work: A full-time 12-month apprenticeship under a Kansas licensed embalmer or board-approved embalmer. Kansas permits a full post-graduation apprenticeship or a split apprenticeship of two continuous six-month periods.
Cases or reports: Apprenticeship documentation is handled under board rules; verify the current forms before starting.
Fees and renewal: The 2024 Kansas Register fee rule lists a $100 apprentice embalmer registration fee, $350 reciprocity or endorsement fee, and $228 biennial embalmer license and renewal fee. Kansas lists a biennial embalmer license and renewal fee. Confirm continuing education requirements with the Board.
Planning note: For a split apprenticeship, the first six months must be within the 12 months before mortuary school enrollment and the second six months after graduation.
Assistant Funeral Director
Who this is for: People using the Kansas practical-experience route before applying for a funeral director license.
Education: Use the Board application for the current assistant funeral director requirements.
Exams: Assistant funeral director examination.
Supervised work: The funeral director statute requires the later applicant to have worked full time for at least one year as a licensed Kansas assistant funeral director.
Cases or reports: The later funeral director application must document 25 assisted funeral services.
Fees and renewal: The 2024 fee rule lists a $50 assistant funeral director examination fee, $150 application fee, and $204 biennial license and renewal fee. Biennial license and renewal fee listed in the Kansas Register fee rule.
Planning note: This is the practical bridge for Kansas funeral-director-only candidates.
What Can Delay Your Kansas License?
- Kansas Board webpages can be difficult to extract through automated tools, so the page cross-checks official Kansas statutes and the Kansas Register fee rule.
- The embalmer apprenticeship can be split, but only in the timing pattern described by statute.
- Funeral director candidates should not assume mortuary school alone replaces the assistant funeral director year and 25-service documentation.
Official Kansas Links
- Official Kansas State Board of Mortuary Arts homepage.
- Kansas funeral director license qualifications statute.
- Kansas embalmer education, examination, and apprenticeship statute.
- Kansas Register 2024 permanent administrative regulation fee table.
- Official license and listing page found by AnySearch.
- Official continuing education page found by AnySearch.
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 Kansas salary data - state wage context before committing
- View the Market Map - compare Kansas with nearby states
- Back to license requirements by state - compare rules before relocating
Sources and Method
This page was rebuilt from official Kansas 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.