Requirements for Licensure
Candidates for licensure in NJ & PA are required to complete 60 college credits beyond the Basic Skills level, plus an accredited funeral service program. This equates to a 3 year academic commitment.
Candidates must also complete an internship by working in a funeral home and registering with the appropriate licensing board. NJ students can serve internship while attending college. (See the MCCC Funeral Service Program Handbook and Course Guidelines or contact the appropriate State Board for additional details about internship.)
Pennsylvania students must register as Student Trainees while attending school and serve a one-year Resident Internship following graduation. In addition, the State of Pennsylvania mandates that the 60 college credits noted above must be in the area of liberal arts. Career oriented credits will not fulfill this requirement.
NJ State Board of Mortuary Science
Phone: 973-504-6425
PA State Board of Funeral Directors
Phone: 717-783-3397
Funeral Service Licensing Requirements
New Jersey
60 college credits prior to Funeral Service Education
Completion of Certificate of Proficiency
Two to three year funeral home internship, during which 75 embalmings, 75 funerals and 25 sets of funeral arrangements must be completed. The time can be dropped to one year if 90 or more credits are completed prior to Funeral Service education. The internship can be completed concurrently with Funeral Service Education
Successful completion of the National Board Exam
Successful completion of the New Jersey Jurisprudence Exam
Successful completion of the Practical Exam
(Note: the Practical Exam can only be attempted after all schooling, exams and other internship requirements have been completed)
Pennsylvania
60 college credits prior to Funeral Service Education
Completion of Certificate of Proficiency
PA Students must register as a Funeral Trainee with a funeral home to complete the Funeral Service Program.
Completion of a 12-month Resident Internship after completion of the Funeral Service Program, during which time 35 “case histories” must be submitted to the State Board of Funeral Directors.
Successful completion of the National Board Exam
Successful completion of the Pennsylvania Jurisprudence Exam
Successful completion of a written Practical Exam
Delaware
Completion of an Associate’s Degree in Funeral Service (note: the Associate’s must be completed, even if a higher level degree has been awarded previously)
DE Students must secure an internship with a funeral home to complete the Funeral Service Program. However, by DE law, they do not need to register with the Board of Funeral Services until after school is completed.
Completion of a 12-month Resident Internship after completion of the Funeral Service Program, during which time 25 embalming reports and four quarterly reports must be submitted to the DE Board of Funeral Service
Successful completion of the National Board Exam
Successful completion of the DE Jurisprudence Exam
For any other state’s mortuary requirements, please contact that state’s licensing board.
