This guide summarizes South 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 South 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.
- A state law/rules exam or other jurisdiction-specific exam may apply.
- Renewal requirements and renewal frequency are reported in the table.
2025 Requirements Snapshot
The Conference’s 2025 table reports the following South Carolina licensing details in its individual licensing section:
SOUTH CAROLINA Funeral Director State; 18 ABFSE graduate; Bachelor’s Degree; or 60 accredited college hours; or 1-year course in funeral directing approved by the Board ✓ ✓ $140 Served anytime 50 $130 & $390 Renew every 2 years Embalmer ABFSE graduate; completion of course in embalming approved by the Board ✓ ✓ $140 Served anytime 50 $130 & $390 Funeral Director & Emb. Combination ABFSE graduate or meet two individual sets of requirements above ✓ ✓ ✓ $140 Served anytime 50 each $195 & $415
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 South 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 South 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 South Carolina salary data — if BLS state wage data is available
- View the Market Map — salary and demand by state