Applicants for a West Virginia Funeral Director/Embalmer license are required to take a state law examination, in addition to the National Boards. To be eligible to take the West Virginia Laws, Rules and Regulations (WV LRR) state law examination, the applicant must first meet the following requirements:
IN-STATE APPLICANTS:
- Completed one-year apprenticeship in West Virginia after attending mortuary school.
- Completed 60 semester hours or equivalent of college credit in a community college, state college, or university.
- Completed, at minimum, a 12-month mortuary school program which results in a diploma or certificate. The program must be accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education.
- Pass the Arts and Science sections of the examination administered by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards (Conference) examination.
- Submitted documentation of the above and any other documents which may be requested.
OUT-OF-STATE APPLICANTS (aka Reciprocal Applicants):
- This is for the applicant who has served an apprenticeship in another state and is licensed by another state. Applicants who were originally licensed in Pennsylvania should contact the Board office for additional information.
- Must meet the same requirements as in-state applicants, as listed above. Exception: the apprenticeship need not be served in West Virginia.
- Must be licensed in another state.
- Must be in good-standing with his/her state of licensure.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- An Applicant CANNOT obtain a regular West Virginia license or a reciprocal license without meeting the above requirements.
- A regular license and a reciprocal license provide equal privilege in West Virginia. There is no real difference between the two types of licenses. The only true difference is that a reciprocal license identifies the licensee as having meet licensing requirements in another state before becoming licensed in West Virginia.
- An applicant who does not meet the above requirements will not qualify for licensure in West Virginia.
REGISTRATION
- To register for the examination, submit an application for the West Virginia Laws, Rules and Regulations examination to the Board office with a check or money order for the amount of $ 315.00. The application form is located on our web page under FORMS tab.
- Once the application form is received, your eligilibity verification will be submitted to the Conference, and you will be notified by the Conference as to dates for taking the examination.
- The following will take place:
- IN-STATE APPLICANTS: Your apprenticeship documents will be reviewed thoroughly. If all reports have been submitted, documentation of successful completion of your apprenticeship is on file, and an application has been submitted to the office with payment, the Conference will be notified of your eliglilbity to sit for the WV LRR examination.
- OUT-OF-STATE APPLICANTS: Once your documents have been received, the Board's staffs will review your reciprocal application. The staff will determine if you meet all the legal requirements for licensure. If you do, you will then be sent a registration form for the examination. You will not be permitted to take the examination until such time as all documents are submitted.
- Once you have been approved to take the examination, the Conference will be notified of your eligibility to sit for the WV LRR examination. The Conference will notify you with dates to sit for the examination.
THE EXAMINATION
The test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, both simple and complex. The examination is given by the Conference. A passing score of 75% is required on both the Arts section and the Science for the national examination. The West Virginia Laws, Rules and Regulations (WV LRR) examination is also given by the Conference and a passing score of 75% is also required. Payment for the National examination is made directly to the Conference. Payment of $ 315.00 is paid the the West Virginia Board of Funeral Service Examiners for the WV LRR examination.
STUDY PACKETS
A study packet is available for a fee of $ 95. Purchase of the packet is strictly voluntary, however, it is strongly advised that the applicant purchase these materials. If the applicant chooses not to purchase the study packet, a list of laws covered on the exam can be found on our web page under the LAWS tab.
For apprentices, the study materials were initially provided in the Handbook and no additional purchase is necessary. Any updated materials will automatically be supplied at no cost. However, if the apprentice misplaces the Handbook and thus needs a complete study packet, the apprentice must pay $ 95 for a new one.
TO APPLY FOR A FUNERAL SERVICE LICENSE, CANDIDATES MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
- Possess a high school diploma or equivalent
- Serve a one (1) year apprenticeship under the direction of a licensed funeral director. During the apprenticeship, you must assist under direct supervision in the embalming or thirty five (35) bodies and conduct not less than thirty five (35) funeral services
- Have an associate degree from an accredited college or university or have successfully completed not less than sixty semester hours or ninety quarter hours of academic work in an accredited college or university toward a baccalaureate degree with a declared major field; or have a bachelor’s degree in mortuary science from an accredited college or university as evidenced by a transcript submitted for evaluation. NOTE: This is a separate requirement from degrees obtained at mortuary school. THIS IS REQUIRED BEFORE YOU CAN OBTAIN A FUNERAL SERVICE LICENSE. YOU CAN OBTAIN THIS DEGREE / HOURS PRIOR TO, DURING OR AFTER THE APPRENTICESHIP.
- Have received a diploma of graduation from a school of mortuary science which requires as a prerequisite to graduation the completion of a course of study not less than twelve months' duration, and which said school of mortuary science must be one accredited by the American board of funeral service education, inc., and duly approved by the board
- Passes with an average score of not less than seventy-five percent the national conference of funeral services examination at a testing site provided by the national conference, passes with a score of not less than seventy-five percent the state law examination and passes such further examination as the board may deem necessary to ascertain qualification and ability to engage in the practice of embalming. Successfully passing the national conference of funeral services examination is a condition precedent to taking the state law examination administered by the board.
Reciprocal licenses may be issued to a person licensed in another state when such license was granted after completion of educational requirements substantially equivalent to those required in this state and which was granted after passing, in that state, an examination that is substantially equivalent to the examination required in this state.
TO APPLY FOR A FUNERAL DIRECTOR ONLY LICENSE, CANDIDATES MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
- Have a Bachelor degree from an accredited college or university
- Serve a two (2) year apprenticeship under the supervision of a licensed funeral director. During the apprenticeship, you must assist, under general supervision, in the arranging of thirty five (35) services and conduct not less than thirty five (35) disposition services
- Passes with an average score of not less than seventy-five percent, the West Virginia Laws, Rules and Regulations Examination.
Please contact the Board for application forms.