Washington does not reduce neatly to one generic “mortician license” checklist. Washington is a separate-license state, but the DOL uses a shared Funeral and Cemetery Board address and a shared funeral director/embalmer application form. Start by choosing the license type that matches the work you want to do, then verify the current application packet with Washington Funeral and Cemetery Board, Department of Licensing.
Licensing rules can change. Treat this page as a planning guide, not legal advice. Washington Funeral and Cemetery Board, Department of Licensing is the final authority.
Quick Answer
Washington has separate funeral director and embalmer license paths. Each requires age 18, the related internship, the related licensing exam, and either an AA in mortuary science, alternative education, or at least five years of active licensed experience in another state.
Which Washington License Do You Need?
| Likely license | Who it fits | Education signal | Supervised-work signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funeral Director | Anyone who provides care, shelter, transportation, and arrangements for disposition of human remains, including arranging and directing funeral or memorial services. | AA degree in Mortuary Science, alternative education requirements, or at least five years of active licensed experience in another state. | Complete a Washington funeral director internship. |
| Embalmer | Anyone who disinfects and preserves human remains for transportation or final disposition. | AA degree in Mortuary Science, 60 semester or 90 quarter credits from an accredited mortuary science college program, or at least five years of active licensed experience in another state. | Complete a Washington embalmer internship. |
Washington License Paths
Funeral Director
Who this is for: Anyone who provides care, shelter, transportation, and arrangements for disposition of human remains, including arranging and directing funeral or memorial services.
Education: AA degree in Mortuary Science, alternative education requirements, or at least five years of active licensed experience in another state.
Exams: Funeral director licensing exam; Official National Board scores where required.
Supervised work: Complete a Washington funeral director internship.
Cases or reports: Internship documentation is handled through the DOL license process and official forms.
Fees and renewal: Initial application $135; renewal $203; late renewal with late fee $250. Renewal fee is listed on the DOL fee page; verify timing in your DOL account.
Planning note: Out-of-state applicants with less than five years of active licensed experience must meet education requirements and complete the internship.
Embalmer
Who this is for: Anyone who disinfects and preserves human remains for transportation or final disposition.
Education: AA degree in Mortuary Science, 60 semester or 90 quarter credits from an accredited mortuary science college program, or at least five years of active licensed experience in another state.
Exams: Embalmer licensing exam; Official National Board scores where required.
Supervised work: Complete a Washington embalmer internship.
Cases or reports: Internship documentation is handled through DOL forms and licensing review.
Fees and renewal: Initial application $135; renewal $203; late renewal with late fee $250. Renewal fee is listed on the DOL fee page; verify timing in your DOL account.
Planning note: Official transcripts, National Board scores, and license history must be sent to the Funeral and Cemetery Board.
What Can Delay Your Washington License?
- Search results can mix Washington State with Washington, DC; use the Washington State Department of Licensing pages for this license.
- Academic internship for funeral directors may count for college credit but is not the same as the licensing internship requirement.
- Washington accepts an out-of-state experience alternative only at the five-year active licensed experience level.
Official Washington Links
- Official DOL funeral directors page.
- Official funeral director licensing steps.
- Official embalmer licensing steps.
- Official DOL fee table.
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 Washington salary data - state wage context before committing
- View the Market Map - compare Washington with nearby states
- Back to license requirements by state - compare rules before relocating
Sources and Method
This page was rebuilt from official Washington board, state agency, statute, rule, application, fee, and lookup sources found with AnySearch, search-layer, and direct source extraction. Source notes are stored in data_sources/licensing/state-licensing-sources.json; structured facts are stored in data_sources/licensing/state-licensing-requirements.json.