Quick Overview
If you want to work in the funeral industry in West Virginia, you need a license from the WV Board of Funeral Service Examiners. There are three license types — and the path you take depends on what you want to do.
Funeral Director
- Directs funerals, arranges services, works with families
- Requires: Bachelor's degree + 2-year apprenticeship + exams
- Does NOT include embalming
Embalmer
- Prepares and embalms bodies for viewing and burial
- Requires: Associate degree from ABFSE-accredited mortuary school + 1-year apprenticeship + exams
- Does NOT include funeral directing
Funeral Service Licensee
- Does both — funeral directing AND embalming
- Requires: Associate degree from ABFSE-accredited mortuary school + apprenticeship + both sets of exams
- Most common license for full-time funeral professionals in WV
Most people pursuing a career in funeral service go for the Funeral Service license, which lets you do everything. But WV is one of the states that allows you to become a funeral director without attending mortuary school — you need a bachelor's degree in any field plus a 2-year apprenticeship instead.
Funeral Director vs. Embalmer vs. Funeral Service — What's the Difference?
The key takeaway: if you want to own or manage a funeral home in West Virginia, you'll need a Funeral Service license. The licensee-in-charge of every WV funeral establishment must hold funeral director, embalmer, crematory operator, and pre-need licenses (per WV Code §30-6-19).
Funeral Director License Requirements
Under WV Code §30-6-9, you must:
Earn a bachelor's degree
A four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. It can be in any field — business, communications, psychology, biology, or anything else. Unlike the embalmer license, you do not need to attend mortuary school to become a funeral director in WV.
Complete a 2-year apprenticeship
A full-time, two-year apprenticeship under the supervision of a licensed funeral director actively practicing in West Virginia. During the apprenticeship, you must:
- Assist in at least 35 disposition arrangements
- Assist in at least 35 funeral and/or memorial services
- Work diligently and consistently — this cannot be a side job
Pass the national exam
Pass the National Board Exam (NBE) administered by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards. For funeral directors, this is the Arts section of the exam.
Pass the WV state law exam
Pass the West Virginia Laws, Rules, and Regulations Examination with a score of at least 75%.
Apply for your license
Submit your application to the WV Board of Funeral Service Examiners with all required documentation.
Embalmer License Requirements
Under WV Code §30-6-8, you must:
Graduate from an ABFSE-accredited mortuary science program
You need at least an associate degree from a mortuary science program accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. The nearest ABFSE-accredited 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)
Complete a 1-year apprenticeship
A full-time, one-year apprenticeship under a licensed embalmer and funeral director in West Virginia. You must complete the 35-body requirement during this period.
Pass the national exam
Pass the NBE Sciences section administered by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards.
Pass the WV state law exam
Same as funeral directors — score at least 75%.
Apply for your license
Submit your application to the Board with all required documentation.
Note: If you're already a licensed funeral director in WV and want to add embalming, you still need to complete Steps 1-4 above (per WV Code §6-1-5.7).
Funeral Service License (Combined)
The Funeral Service license lets you practice both funeral directing and embalming. This is the most common path for people entering the profession full-time.
Requirements:
- Associate degree from an ABFSE-accredited mortuary science program
- Apprenticeship (the apprenticeship can count toward both the funeral directing and embalming requirements)
- Pass both sections of the NBE (Arts and Sciences)
- Pass the WV state law exam
- Apply to the Board
Important: In WV, you can complete your degree before, during, or after your apprenticeship. This flexibility allows you to start working in a funeral home while pursuing your education.
The Apprenticeship
The apprenticeship is a critical part of the licensing process. Here's what you need to know:
Duration: 2 years for funeral directors, 1 year for embalmers.
Supervision: You must work under a licensed funeral director (or licensee-in-charge) who is actively practicing in West Virginia.
Requirements during apprenticeship:
- Minimum 35 disposition arrangements
- Minimum 35 funeral and/or memorial services
- Full-time, diligent work — not a side job or part-time position
Flexibility: You can attend school before, during, or after your apprenticeship. If you're already serving a Funeral Service apprenticeship, your time can count toward a Funeral Director apprenticeship.
How to find an apprenticeship: Contact funeral homes in your area directly. Most WV funeral homes are willing to take on apprentices, especially those in communities with aging funeral directors planning for succession. The Board can also provide guidance. See our full apprenticeship guide for more details.
The Exams
You need to pass two exams to become licensed in West Virginia:
National Board Exam (NBE)
Administered by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards (ICFSEB). The exam has two sections:
- Arts section — covers funeral directing, funeral service management, and business law. Required for funeral directors.
- Sciences section — covers embalming, anatomy, microbiology, and chemistry. Required for embalmers.
- Funeral Service licensees must pass both sections.
The NBE is taken at a Prometric testing center. The nearest centers to WV are in Charleston, WV; Pittsburgh, PA; and Columbus, OH. Cost is approximately $300 per section.
WV Laws, Rules, and Regulations Exam
A separate exam covering West Virginia-specific funeral laws and regulations. Also administered by the ICFSEB. You must score at least 75% to pass.
Study materials are available through the Board's website at wvfuneralboard.wv.gov.
How to Apply
Once you've met all the requirements:
- Download the appropriate application form from the Board's website at wvfuneralboard.wv.gov
- Gather your documentation: degree transcripts, apprenticeship verification, exam scores, and background check
- Submit the completed application with the required fee to:
179 Summers Street, Suite 319
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 558-0302
Email: wvfuneralboard@wv.gov
Reciprocity — Already Licensed in Another State?
If you're already a licensed funeral director or embalmer in another state, you may qualify for a WV license through reciprocity rather than starting from scratch.
Requirements for reciprocity:
- Hold a current, active license in another state
- Meet WV's education requirements (or equivalent)
- Pass the WV Laws, Rules, and Regulations exam
- Submit a reciprocity application and fee
Reciprocity is different from a courtesy card. A courtesy card allows limited, periodic funeral directing in WV (for professionals in bordering states). Reciprocity gives you a full WV license with no restrictions.
Contact the Board at (304) 558-0302 to discuss your specific situation and determine if you qualify.
Salary & Career Outlook in West Virginia
$46,000 – $58,000
Average funeral director salary in WV
Source: BLS, 2024
24,700+
Deaths in WV annually
Source: CDC, 2023
West Virginia has a stable demand for funeral professionals. With approximately 24,700 deaths per year and an aging population — WV has one of the highest median ages in the nation — licensed funeral directors and embalmers are in consistent demand.
Many of WV's funeral homes are family-owned businesses with aging owners looking for the next generation of licensees. For someone entering the profession, this represents an opportunity not just for employment but potentially for business ownership.
The career can be demanding — irregular hours, emotional situations, and on-call work are part of the job. But professionals in the field consistently cite the meaningful nature of the work as one of its greatest rewards.