Apprentice Qualifications

An apprentice is someone who is learning the profession of funeral service under the direct supervision of a trained licensed funeral director and embalmer. An apprentice gains hands-on experience by participating in funeral arrangements, funeral services, and embalming. An apprentice must register with the Board of Funeral Services Examiners and must meet the following qualifications:

  • The apprentice candidate must possess a high school diploma or GED.
  • The apprentice candidate must have completed ONE of the following academic studies at an ACCREDITED college or university.*
  • 60 semester hours of college credit
  • 90 quarter hours of college credit
  • Associate Degree
  • The apprentice candidate must have been accepted for employment as an apprentice in a licensed West Virginia funeral establishment.
  • The apprentice candidate must have made arrangements with a licensed funeral director/embalmer to act as supervisor.

*An accredited college or university may include state colleges, state universities, and community colleges. Vocational schools or business schools DO NOT qualify.

To obtain applications and forms, click the pdf icon to the right of the desired documents. To view the Fees Schedule, click the link below.

TO APPLY FOR AN FUNERAL SERVICE APPRENTICE LICENSE, CANDIDATES MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION WITH THE REQUIRED INFORMATION:

  1. Possess a high school diploma or equivalent, 
  2. be 18 years of age or older (birth certificate required to be submitted with the application).
  3. Submit a photograph with the application.
  4. Once the application is received and processed, the individual will be notified as to their start date of the apprentice program, which consists of completing a one-year course of apprenticeship under the direct supervision of a licensed embalmer and funeral director.  The Apprentice shall take an active part in the operation of embalming not less than thirty-five dead human bodies and an active part in conducting not less than thirty-five funeral services.

THE APPLICANT MAY OBTAIN THE REQUIRED ASSOCIATE DEGREE TO BECOME A LICENSED FUNERAL SERVICE LICENSEE BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THE APPRENTICESHIP.  

THEY MAY ALSO ATTEND MORTUARY SCHOOL BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THE APPRENTICESHIP.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A FUNERAL SERVICE LICENSE

1.  COMPLETE THE APPRENTICESHIP

2.  OBTAIN AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE OR SIXTY (60) CREDIT HOURS (90 QUARTER HOURS) FROM AN ACCREDITED COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

3.  OBTAIN A DEGREE FROM AN APPROVED SCHOOL OF MORTUARY SCIENCE

4.  TAKE AND PASS THE NATIONAL FUNERAL SERVICE EXAMINATION GIVEN BY THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF FUNERAL SERVICE EXAMINING BOARDS WITH A SCORE OF 75% OR GREATER

5.  TAKE AND PASS THE WEST VIRGINIA LAWS, RULES AND REGUATIONS EXAMINATION WITH A SCORE OF 75% OR GREATER.

 

TO APPLY FOR AN FUNERAL DIRECTOR APPRENTICE LICENSE, CANDIDATES MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION WITH THE REQUIRED INFORMATION:

     1.   Have an official transcript submitted indicating completion of a Bachelor's degree from an accrediated college or university

     2.   Complete a two (2) year apprenticeship under the general supervision of an active licensed funeral director or funeral service licensee.

     3.   Conduct not less than 35 disposition arrangements

     4.   Conduct not less that 35 funeral and/ or memorial services

     5.   After the two (2) year apprenticeship, take and pass the WV Laws, Rules and Regulations examination with an average score of not less than 75%.

Once these requirements are finished, the individual is qualified to apply for a Funeral Director license.

RECIPROCITY REQUIREMENTS

An individual seeking a reciprocity funeral director license must submit the followingto the office along with the application:

 1.   Have an official transcript submitted indicating completion of a Bachelor's degree from an accrediated college or university

2.   Submit verification of good standing of licensure from all states you are licensed 

3.   Submit verification of apprenticeship

4.   An applicant seeking a funeral director reciprocity license must have held an active license or its equivalent to practice funeral directing in another state for at least the last 2 years or this can consist of a one (1) year apprenticeship and active license for one (1) year.

     

Applications and Forms
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