⚱️ Funeral Director License Requirements by State

Compare funeral director license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 50 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level funeral director license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $100–$100. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$100	$56,967
AKAlaska	Required	—	$100	$81,195
AZArizona	Required	—	$100	$63,515
ARArkansas	Required	—	$100	$55,003
CACalifornia	Required	—	$100	$90,362
COColorado	Not Required	—	—	$70,718
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$100	$75,302
DEDelaware	Required	—	$100	$65,480
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$100	$83,814
FLFlorida	Required	—	$100	$62,860
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$100	$60,896
HIHawaii	Required	—	$100	$88,398
IDIdaho	Required	—	$100	$61,551
ILIllinois	Required	—	$100	$68,754
INIndiana	Required	—	$100	$59,586
IAIowa	Required	—	$100	$58,277
KSKansas	Required	—	$100	$58,277
KYKentucky	Required	—	$100	$58,277
LALouisiana	Required	—	$100	$58,932
MEMaine	Required	—	$100	$63,515
MDMaryland	Required	—	$100	$71,373
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$100	$79,885
MIMichigan	Required	—	$100	$61,551
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$100	$68,099
MSMississippi	Required	—	$100	$54,348
MOMissouri	Required	—	$100	$58,932
MTMontana	Required	—	$100	$62,860
NENebraska	Required	—	$100	$58,932
NVNevada	Required	—	$100	$66,789
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$100	$68,099
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$100	$77,266
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$100	$59,586
NYNew York	Required	—	$100	$85,124
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$100	$60,241
NDNorth Dakota	Required	—	$100	$62,206
OHOhio	Required	—	$100	$60,241
OKOklahoma	Required	—	$100	$56,967
OROregon	Required	—	$100	$72,028
PAPennsylvania	Required	—	$100	$64,170
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$100	$67,444
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$100	$59,586
SDSouth Dakota	Required	—	$100	$57,622
TNTennessee	Required	—	$100	$58,932
TXTexas	Required	—	$100	$61,551
UTUtah	Required	—	$100	$63,515
VTVermont	Required	—	$100	$66,134
VAVirginia	Required	—	$100	$66,789
WAWashington	Required	—	$100	$77,266
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$100	$56,312
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$100	$61,551
WYWyoming	Required	—	$100	$62,206

Common questions about funeral director licensing

Do all states require a funeral director license?

No — 50 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level funeral director license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a funeral director license?

Application fees across the states range $100–$100. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a funeral director license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.