Massachusetts does not reduce neatly to one generic “mortician license” checklist. Massachusetts has one of the clearer ownership distinctions in this batch: Type 6 is the working funeral director and embalmer registration, while Type 3 is tied to ownership of the licensed funeral establishment. Start by choosing the license type that matches the work you want to do, then verify the current application packet with Massachusetts Board of Registration in Embalming and Funeral Directing.
Licensing rules can change. Treat this page as a planning guide, not legal advice. Massachusetts Board of Registration in Embalming and Funeral Directing is the final authority.
Quick Answer
Massachusetts uses Type 6 and Type 3 funeral director/embalmer registrations. A Type 6 applicant must be at least 18, have high school or equivalent education, complete at least two years as an Apprentice Embalmer under a Type 3, personally embalm at least 50 bodies, attend at least 25 funeral or pre-need conferences, earn an ABFSE-equivalent mortuary science associate degree, and pass the Board exam. A Type 3 is a Type 6 with at least 10% ownership interest in the funeral establishment business.
Which Massachusetts License Do You Need?
| Likely license | Who it fits | Education signal | Supervised-work signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice Embalmer | People beginning the Massachusetts path toward Type 6 registration. | High school diploma or equivalent, good moral character, full-time employment of at least 30 hours per week by one business entity operating licensed Massachusetts funeral establishments, and OSHA biohazard/bloodborne pathogens training within 30 days before application and for each year registered. | Full-time employment under the Massachusetts apprenticeship framework, later used for Type 6 eligibility. |
| Type 6 Funeral Director and Embalmer | People seeking Massachusetts authority to work as a funeral director and embalmer under a Type 3 in a licensed funeral establishment. | High school diploma or equivalent plus an associate degree in mortuary science from an ABFSE-accredited program or Board-determined equivalent. | At least two years as an Apprentice Embalmer under the instruction and personal supervision of a Type 3. |
| Type 3 Funeral Director | Type 6 registrants who need the Massachusetts registration tied to ownership of a licensed funeral establishment. | Applicant must already be a Type 6 and show the required ownership interest in the entity operating the licensed funeral establishment. | Type 3 is not a new apprenticeship route; it is an ownership-linked registration for a Type 6. |
Massachusetts License Paths
Apprentice Embalmer
Who this is for: People beginning the Massachusetts path toward Type 6 registration.
Education: High school diploma or equivalent, good moral character, full-time employment of at least 30 hours per week by one business entity operating licensed Massachusetts funeral establishments, and OSHA biohazard/bloodborne pathogens training within 30 days before application and for each year registered.
Exams: No Board licensure exam is listed for the apprentice registration itself.
Supervised work: Full-time employment under the Massachusetts apprenticeship framework, later used for Type 6 eligibility.
Cases or reports: Type 6 eligibility later requires proof of personally embalming at least 50 bodies and attending at least 25 funeral or pre-need conferences.
Fees and renewal: Mass.gov renewal page lists an Apprentice Embalmer renewal fee of $31; verify application fee in eLIPSE. Registered Embalmer Apprentice licenses expire October 20; renew through eLIPSE.
Planning note: The apprentice must be employed by only one business entity operating one or more licensed funeral establishments in Massachusetts.
Type 6 Funeral Director and Embalmer
Who this is for: People seeking Massachusetts authority to work as a funeral director and embalmer under a Type 3 in a licensed funeral establishment.
Education: High school diploma or equivalent plus an associate degree in mortuary science from an ABFSE-accredited program or Board-determined equivalent.
Exams: Board-prescribed examination processed through PSI after application review.
Supervised work: At least two years as an Apprentice Embalmer under the instruction and personal supervision of a Type 3.
Cases or reports: During apprenticeship, the applicant must personally embalm at least 50 dead human bodies and attend at least 25 funeral or pre-need conferences with consumers.
Fees and renewal: Mass.gov lists a $339 Type 6 application fee and a $155 Type 6 renewal fee. All licenses renew annually. All non-apprentice licenses expire October 31 and are eligible for renewal 90 days before expiration.
Planning note: A Type 6 must certify that they will act as a funeral director only in the employ of a Type 3 in a licensed funeral establishment.
Type 3 Funeral Director
Who this is for: Type 6 registrants who need the Massachusetts registration tied to ownership of a licensed funeral establishment.
Education: Applicant must already be a Type 6 and show the required ownership interest in the entity operating the licensed funeral establishment.
Exams: Verify any current exam or documentation requirement in eLIPSE.
Supervised work: Type 3 is not a new apprenticeship route; it is an ownership-linked registration for a Type 6.
Cases or reports: Not listed beyond the underlying Type 6 history.
Fees and renewal: Mass.gov lists a $155 Type 3 application fee and a $155 renewal fee. Annual renewal; non-apprentice licenses expire October 31.
Planning note: The rule requires at least 10% ownership interest, or at least 10% authorized and issued stock for a corporation, or at least a 10% partnership share.
What Can Delay Your Massachusetts License?
- Do not confuse Type 6 and Type 3. Type 3 is not just a senior title; it depends on ownership interest.
- Incomplete Massachusetts applications are held open for 180 days, then treated as abandoned with a new application and payment required.
- Apprentice, Type 6, Type 3, and funeral home assistant credentials have different fees and expiration dates.
Official Massachusetts Links
- Official Massachusetts Board page.
- Mass.gov Type 3 and Type 6 application page with fees and 180-day incomplete application rule.
- Mass.gov renewal page with annual expiration dates and renewal fees.
- 239 CMR 3.02 registration requirements and examinations.
- Official Mass.gov occupational board license lookup instructions.
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 Massachusetts salary data - state wage context before committing
- View the Market Map - compare Massachusetts with nearby states
- Back to license requirements by state - compare rules before relocating
Sources and Method
This page was rebuilt from official Massachusetts 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.