TO APPLY FOR A FUNERAL DIRECTOR/EMBALMER LICENSE, CANDIDATES MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must have completed ONE of the following college requirements:

• 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of academic work toward a baccalaureate degree in an accredited college or university, OR earn an associate degree from an accredited college or university.*

AND a diploma or certificate of graduation from an accredited mortuary school.  This diploma or certificate must require at least a course of study of not less than twelve (12) months' duration.**

• bachelor's degree in mortuary science from an accredited college of mortuary science.**

*An accredited college does not include business schools or trade schools.  Examples of an accredited institution would be West Virginia State College, West Virginia University, West Virginia Northern Community College.  A specific course of study is not required; however, it is suggested that a student take courses related to the field, such as biology, anatomy, and grief counseling.

**The college of mortuary science must be accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Information on accreditation can be found on the Internet at http://www.abfse.org.  A mortuary science associate degree will not substitute or override the requirement of 60 semester hours.  An applicant may be able to utilize a portion of the mortuary science associate degree to fulfill the academic requirement of 60 semester hours; however, an applicant can expect that fewer than 30 semester hours of a mortuary science associate degree can be considered.  The transcript must be reviewed by our staff to determine total number of hours which can be utilized.

• Must complete a full-time 12-month apprenticeship, in which the apprentice participates in a minimum of 35 funerals and 35 embalmings.

The apprenticeship can not begin until after completion of at least 60 semester hours of academic work toward a baccalaureate degree or an associate degree (see college requirements above).  The apprentice will have 5 years to complete the apprenticeship.  If the apprentice is not successful in completing the apprenticeship within 5 years, he/she must begin the whole process again.

• Must pass the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards examination with at least a seventy-five (75) percent overall.  More information can be found on the internet at http://www.cfseb.org.
• Must pass a state law examination administered by the West Virginia Board of Funeral Service Examiners with at least a seventy-five (75) percent overall.