This guide summarizes North Carolina mortician / funeral director licensing requirements using the 2025 Regulations in Funeral Service Licensing publication from The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards.
Licensing rules can change. Treat this page as a planning guide, not legal advice. Always verify final requirements with the North Carolina licensing board before enrolling, applying, or relocating.
Quick Checklist
- ABFSE-accredited funeral service or mortuary science education is referenced in the 2025 requirements table.
- The National Board Exam (NBE) is referenced in the requirements table.
- A state law/rules exam or other jurisdiction-specific exam may apply.
- Apprenticeship or internship requirements are listed for at least one license type.
- Renewal requirements and renewal frequency are reported in the table.
2025 Requirements Snapshot
The Conference’s 2025 table reports the following North Carolina licensing details in its individual licensing section:
NORTH CAROLINA Funeral Director State & Federal; 18 Funeral Director program (either Board ‐ approved or ABFSE accredited) ✓ ✓ Pathology ✓ Served anytime 25 $150 & $100 Renew each year Provisional Funeral Director AAS degree or higher in any field, or diploma in funeral directing from a Board-approved curriculum at an MS accredited college ✓ ✓ Not required $500 & $250 Embalmer Associate’s Degree in Mortuary Science from ABFSE college ✓ ✓ Served anytime 25 $150 & $75 Funeral Director & Emb. Combination Associate’s Degree in Mortuary Science from ABFSE college ✓ ✓ ✓ Served anytime 25 $150 & $75 Transporter Valid NC driver’s license, $500K min Professional Liability Insurance; NC min req. for Vehicle Liability Insurance $125 & $75 Crematory Manager State; 18 Completion of training course by an approved provider for certification (must recertify if certification expires) $150 & $40 NBE Arts NBE Sciences Other Exam LRR Served before/ after/during education, etc.? Case Reports NORTH DAKOTA Funeral Director & Emb. Combination No; 18 ABFSE graduate; Associate’s or Diploma in Mortuary Science plus 60 semester hours of college credit; hours waived for reciprocity if person has license in another state for three years ✓ ✓ ✓ Complete 30 hours & be enrolled before apprenticeship begins 25 & 10 $100 & $100 Renew each year Crematory Operator Completion of training course by approved provider
Because the source is a table, some items may apply only to certain license types, such as funeral director, embalmer, intern, apprentice, or combined funeral service license.
What to Verify With the State Board
Before choosing a school or applying for a license, confirm these items directly with the North Carolina board:
- Which license type you need — funeral director, embalmer, intern/apprentice, or combined license.
- Education requirement — ABFSE degree, certificate, college credits, or state-specific pathway.
- Exam requirement — NBE Arts, NBE Sciences, state law/rules exam, or other exam.
- Apprenticeship or internship timing — before, during, or after education.
- Case report requirement — number and type of cases, if required.
- Renewal and continuing education — renewal frequency, fees, and CE hours.
Best Next Step
If you are still choosing a school, start with programs that fit North Carolina’s education rules, then model the cost and income path:
- Compare mortuary schools — tuition, debt, completion, and 10-year earnings
- Run the ROI Calculator — tuition plus lost income and salary outcomes
- Check North Carolina salary data — if BLS state wage data is available
- View the Market Map — salary and demand by state