State Board of Mortuary Science of New Jersey

Licensing Questions

1. Must I be a citizen of the United States to be eligible for licensure?

   No. New Jersey State law allows for all individuals, regardless of citizenship status, to obtain a professional or occupational license in New Jersey if all requirements for licensure are met. Individuals with undocumented status are eligible for licensure and a social security number is not required for licensure.
   

2. How do I register an internship with the Board?

   For new candidates you must apply for an Application for Intern Registration(online application).  If your current internship is inactive status or you would like to reactivate an old internship you must contact the Board at (973) 504-6425 or email at MortuaryScience@dca.njoag.gov.
   

3. What does a Mortuary Science internship entail?

   Mortuary Science internship entails:
   

   1. Once you obtained at least 60 credits you must apply to the Board of Education for your Qualifying Certificate.  The Qualifying Certificate will determined the length of your internship;
      
   2. Please note embalming reports should be provided to the Board throughout the duration of your internship;
      
   3. Successfully passing the National Board Examination (N.B.E.) prepared by the National Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards; and
      
   4. Successfully passing the State Mortuary Jurisprudence Examination and the Practical Examination.
   
   
4. What are the requirements to become a licensed funeral director in New Jersey?

   In order to qualify for licensure in the State of New Jersey, an applicant must:

   1. Must be at least 21 years old;
      
   2. Graduated from high school or have completed the equivalent high school education;
   3. Completed a minimum of two years of academic education in a college or university approved by the New Jersey State Department of Education;
   4. Satisfactorily completed a one-year program in a mortuary science school recognized and approved by the Board;
   5. Completed a two-year internship under a licensed New Jersey practitioner of mortuary science at a registered funeral home in the State of New Jersey, except that a person who has completed three years of academic education in a college of university approved by the New Jersey State Department of Education is required to complete a one-year internship;
   6. Assisted with 75 embalmments, 75 funerals, and attended 25 funerals during the applicable intern registration period;
   7. Successfully passed the N.B.E. prepared by the National Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards; and
   8. Successfully passed the State Mortuary Jurisprudence Examination and the Practical Examination.
   
   
5. I am a licensed funeral director in another state. How do I become licensed in New Jersey?

   You must apply for a Licensure by Credentials Application online by clicking Applications and Forms on the left hand side of the Board's website.

Continuing Education Questions

1. What are the continuing education requirements for New Jersey?

   Refer to the Board's regulations N.J.A.C. 13:36-10.3.

2. How do I obtain approval for a continuing education course that my company is providing?

   You must click on Applications and Forms on the left hand side of the Board's website and complete the Mortuary Continuing Education Provider Form. Instructions are outlined in N.J.A.C. 13:36-10.9. You may email the form and attached documents to MortuaryScience@dca.njoag.gov.

Training and Exam

1. Which college and university programs in funeral service education and/or mortuary science are accredited?

   Refer to the following website www.abfse.org/html/directory.html

2. I am a registered intern with the State of New Jersey. I am changing funeral homes and/or preceptors. What should I do?

   You must contact the Board office at (973) 504-6425.

Miscellaneous Questions

1. How do I change the name of the funeral home manager on the funeral home registration?

   Please click Applications and Forms on the left hand side of the Board's website to complete the Application for Certificate of Registration and pay the required fee. Return the application to the Board's office along with a letter from the resigning manager and a letter from the new manager.

2. How do I change the name of my funeral home?

   Please click Applications and Forms on the left hand side of the Board's website to complete the Application for Funeral Home Registration Name Change. Return the application to the Board’s office and pay the required fee.