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Licensing Exams

Due to exposure to the COVID/OMICRON virus, the NC Board of Funeral Service is temporarily closed.  Staff will be working remotely and are accessible by email.  If you need assistance, please send an email to the appropriate staff member, and we will respond as soon as we can.  Thank you for understanding that there may be delays in returning telephone calls to the Board office.

NC Licensing Exams

Exams

The following exams must be passed to become licensed in North Carolina.

 

Funeral Director

  1. North Carolina Laws and Rules Exam -and-
  2. North Carolina State Board Exam for Arts -and-
  3. North Carolina Pathology Exam
 

Funeral Service Licensee

  1. North Carolina Laws and Rules Exam -and-
  2. Either:
    • National Board Exam (Arts & Science Sections)
      -or-
    • North Carolina State Board Exam for Arts -and-
    • North Carolina State Board Exam for Science
 

Embalmer

  1. North Carolina Laws and Rules Exam -and-
  2. Either:
    • National Board Exam (Science Section)
      -or-
    • North Carolina State Board Exam for Science
 

Applying to Register for Exams

Your application and fee must be received prior to registering for an exam.

A completed Application consists of the following:

  • Application Form submitted by the applicant (fillable BFS-12(a))
     
  • Application Fee
     
  • Certified school transcripts (received directly from the mortuary school)
     
  • If out-of-state applicant: A written version of licensure, which must be submitted by another State Board of Examiners

Use the Registration Links (below) after your application has been received.

 

Registering for Exams

Testing fees are paid directly to the test provider. Please contact the test provider with questions for that specific test.

Exam

Test Provider

Registration Link
North Carolina Laws and Rules Exam Castle Worldwide
Complete form, then submit to board
North Carolina State Board (Arts & Science Exams) International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards
Register/pay on their site
North Carolina Pathology Exam International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards
Register/pay on their site
National Board Exam (Arts & Science Sections) International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards
Register/pay on their site