What Is a WV Funeral Courtesy Card?
If you're a licensed funeral director in Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, or Pennsylvania and you need to direct a funeral in West Virginia, you'll need a courtesy card.
A courtesy card is a registration issued by the WV Board of Funeral Service Examiners under West Virginia Code §30-6-13. It gives funeral directors from bordering states legal permission to handle specific funeral directing duties in WV — without obtaining a full West Virginia license.
It's commonly needed when a family in a WV border community chooses an out-of-state funeral home, or when a death occurs in West Virginia but the family's funeral director is licensed across the state line.
Who Is Eligible?
You're eligible for a WV courtesy card if you meet all of the following:
Important: The courtesy card is specifically for funeral directors. It is not available to embalmers-only or crematory operators who do not also hold a funeral director license.
What a Courtesy Card Allows You to Do
A valid WV courtesy card lets you:
These permissions allow courtesy card holders to serve families in WV border communities without requiring a full WV funeral director license.
What a Courtesy Card Does NOT Allow
There are clear limits on what a courtesy card covers. You cannot:
A violation of any of these restrictions is sufficient cause for the Board to immediately revoke or cancel your courtesy card, per WV Code §30-6-13(c).
How to Apply
Follow these steps to apply for a WV funeral courtesy card:
Verify your eligibility
Confirm that you hold a current funeral director license in a bordering state (OH, KY, VA, MD, or PA) and that you are employed by a licensed funeral home in that state.
Obtain the application form
Download the Courtesy Card Application from the WV Board of Funeral Service Examiners. The application is available on the official board website at wvfuneralboard.wv.gov.
Important: Always download the most current version of the application directly from the Board's official website. Do not use forms from third-party sites, as they may be outdated.
Complete the license verification form
You will need a courtesy card license verification form completed by the licensing board in your home state, confirming that your license is current and in good standing. This must include the official seal of your home state.
Review WV funeral laws
The application requires you to certify that you have reviewed and understand West Virginia's funeral laws, rules, and regulations. These are available through the Board's website.
Submit your application and fee
Mail your completed application, license verification form, and the application fee to:
179 Summers Street, Suite 319
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 558-0302
Do not send applications to any other address. The Board's office at 179 Summers Street is the only location that processes courtesy card applications.
Await processing
The Board will review your application and, if approved, issue your courtesy card. Processing times may vary — contact the Board directly for current timelines.
Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial courtesy card application | $300 |
| Biennial renewal | $300 |
| Late renewal fee | Additional $50 |
Fees shown were last verified with the WV Board of Funeral Service Examiners in March 2026 and are subject to change. Call the Board at (304) 558-0302 to confirm current amounts before submitting your application.
All fees are payable to the WV Board of Funeral Service Examiners.
Renewal Process
WV funeral courtesy cards must be renewed every two years (biennially). The renewal cycle begins on July 1.
To renew your courtesy card:
- Download the Courtesy Card Renewal Form from the Board's website at wvfuneralboard.wv.gov
- Complete the renewal form and include an updated license verification from your home state
- Submit the renewal form with the $300 renewal fee before the expiration date
- If your courtesy card has lapsed, you may be required to pay an additional $50 late fee and may need to reapply
If your courtesy card has been expired for an extended period, contact the Board to determine whether reinstatement or a new application is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bordering States with Reciprocal Courtesy Card Programs
West Virginia's courtesy card system is reciprocal — meaning the bordering state must also offer courtesy cards or similar permits to WV-licensed funeral directors. Here's the current status of each bordering state:
| State | Available? | Governing Body |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | Yes — since 2012 (HB 481) | Ohio Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors |
| Kentucky | Yes | Kentucky Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors |
| Virginia | Yes | Virginia Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers |
| Maryland | Yes | Maryland State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors |
Each state has its own application process and fees. Contact the relevant board in your home state for details on obtaining a courtesy card to practice in that state.
Related Licensing Topics
Official Resources
For official information, applications, and forms related to WV funeral courtesy cards, contact the Board directly:
179 Summers Street, Suite 319
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 558-0302
Email: wvfuneralboard@wv.gov
Website: wvfuneralboard.wv.gov
Additional resources: