Apprenticeship at a Glance
Every funeral professional in West Virginia must complete a supervised apprenticeship before they can be licensed. It's a hands-on training period where you work full-time at a funeral home under the supervision of a licensed funeral director, learning every aspect of the profession — from arranging services with grieving families to managing the logistics of burial and cremation.
Types of Apprenticeships
West Virginia offers different apprenticeship paths depending on which license you're pursuing:
| Funeral Director | Embalmer | Funeral Service (Combined) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 years | 1 year | Varies — time can count toward both |
| Education required | Bachelor's degree (any field) | Associate's from ABFSE mortuary school | Associate's from ABFSE mortuary school |
| When to complete degree | Before, during, or after | Before, during, or after | Before, during, or after |
| Minimum dispositions | 35 | 35 bodies (embalming) | 35 dispositions + 35 bodies |
| Minimum services | 35 funeral/memorial services | N/A | 35 funeral/memorial services |
| Supervisor | Licensed funeral director or licensee-in-charge | Licensed embalmer and funeral director | Licensed funeral director or licensee-in-charge |
The most important thing to know: if you're already serving a Funeral Service apprenticeship, your time can count toward a Funeral Director apprenticeship. You don't have to start over.
Requirements
Under WV Code §30-6-9 and WV CSR 6-01-5, your apprenticeship must meet these standards:
- ✓Full-time employment — this must be your primary job, not a side gig or part-time position. The Board requires "diligent attention to the work in the course of regular and steady employment."
- ✓Supervised by a qualified licensee — your supervisor must be a licensee-in-charge or an actively licensed funeral director practicing in West Virginia.
- ✓35 disposition arrangements — you must personally assist in arranging at least 35 funerals, cremations, or other dispositions during your apprenticeship.
- ✓35 funeral or memorial services — you must personally assist in conducting at least 35 funeral services, memorial services, or graveside services.
- ✓Proper documentation — all work must be logged and verified by your supervising funeral director. Keep detailed records — the Board will review them.
- ✓Registered with the Board — you must register as an apprentice with the WV Board of Funeral Service Examiners. Download the apprentice registration form from wvfuneralboard.wv.gov.
What You'll Do During Your Apprenticeship
A funeral directing apprenticeship is far more than observing. You'll be actively involved in every aspect of funeral home operations:
This is not a 9-to-5 job. Deaths don't happen on a schedule, and funeral homes serve families around the clock. Expect irregular hours, evening visitations, weekend services, and on-call shifts.
Can I Go to School at the Same Time?
Yes — and this is one of the most flexible aspects of WV's system.
West Virginia allows you to complete your required degree before, during, or after your apprenticeship. This means you can:
- Finish your degree first, then do the apprenticeship
- Work at a funeral home while attending school part-time or during breaks
- Complete the apprenticeship first, then go back to school
For funeral directors, you need a bachelor's degree in any field — not mortuary school. So if you already have a degree in business, psychology, communications, or any other subject, you can skip straight to the apprenticeship.
For embalmers and funeral service licensees, you need an associate degree from an ABFSE-accredited mortuary science program. The nearest programs to West Virginia include:
- Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (Pittsburgh, PA)
- Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science (Cincinnati, OH)
- John Tyler Community College (Chester, VA)
- Jefferson State Community College (Birmingham, AL — online option available)
Some of these programs offer online or hybrid coursework, making it possible to attend while working at a funeral home in WV.
How to Find an Apprenticeship
There's no centralized job board for funeral apprenticeships in West Virginia. Here's how most people find them:
How to Apply
Once you've found a funeral home willing to supervise your apprenticeship:
- Download the Apprentice Registration Form from the Board's website at wvfuneralboard.wv.gov
- Have your supervising funeral director complete and sign the required sections
- Submit the completed form with any required fees to the Board
- Begin your apprenticeship — your 2-year (or 1-year) clock starts when the Board processes your registration
WV Board of Funeral Service Examiners
179 Summers Street, Suite 319
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 558-0302
Email: wvfuneralboard@wv.gov
Important: Register with the Board before or at the start of your apprenticeship. Time worked before registration may not count toward your requirement.
Pay and Working Conditions
Apprenticeships in West Virginia are paid positions — you're a full-time employee of the funeral home, not an unpaid intern.
After the Apprenticeship
Once you've completed your apprenticeship and earned your degree, the final steps to licensure are:
- Pass the National Board Exam (NBE) — Arts section for funeral directors, Sciences section for embalmers, both for Funeral Service licensees
- Pass the WV Laws, Rules, and Regulations Exam — score of 75% or higher required
- Submit your license application to the Board with all documentation
After licensure, you can practice as a funeral director, embalmer, or funeral service licensee in West Virginia. Many former apprentices stay at the funeral home where they trained. Others move on to different funeral homes, pursue management roles, or eventually open their own funeral establishments.