Become a funeral director in Alaska without embalming

What it takes, step by step

1. Complete at least one year (30 semester credit hours) at any accredited college or university.

   Sources for step 1

   • AS 08.42.050
   • Alaska form 08-4279

2. Get a funeral director trainee permit (age 18 or older) with an Alaska-licensed funeral director as sponsor, in a permitted funeral establishment. The permit lasts one year, can be renewed, and you may be a trainee for no more than two years. A sponsor may have only one trainee at a time.

   Sources for step 2

   • AS 08.42.085
   • 12 AAC 50.100(b)

3. Serve at least one year of apprenticeship (supervised work in a funeral home; the state sets who supervises), at least 30 hours a week: assist or take part in preparing at least 24 funerals with all the legal paperwork, and help with the casket selection room. There is no embalming count. Send in six case reports every three months. For the first six months your sponsor must supervise every arrangement conference and funeral in person.

   Sources for step 3

   • 12 AAC 50.200
   • 12 AAC 50.400(b)

4. Pass only the Arts section of the International Conference exam (the NBE, the national licensing exam set by The Conference (the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards), in two sections, Arts and Sciences; The Conference, National Board Exam), plus the Alaska state law exam. You need an average of 75% with no subject below 70%. Fees are $150 to apply, $185 for the license and $100 for the state law exam.

   Sources for step 4

   • Alaska form 08-4279
   • AS 08.42.060

Does a funeral home need an embalmer?

No such rule was found. The funeral establishment permit statute requires a permit for each location but does not require an embalmer on staff.

Licensed in another state?

The division may recognize another state's funeral director license if that state's requirements were substantially equal, or if you meet Alaska's requirements apart from the apprenticeship and exam and have practiced for at least a year where you are licensed. Either way you must pass the Alaska law exam.

Good to know

• A funeral director 'may not embalm or restore a dead human body', take charge of the remains of someone who died of a communicable disease, or prepare such a body for transport by common carrier.

  Sources

  • AS 08.42.020

• The law lets the division issue a permit to an unlicensed person for caring for and disposing of bodies for pay when the body will not be embalmed, but the only regulation that carries this out covers remains that have already been cremated.

  Sources

  • AS 08.42.020
  • 12 AAC 50.300

• You can earn the funeral director and embalmer apprenticeships at the same time.

  Sources

  • 12 AAC 50.200

Check with the board

Rules change. Confirm the current licensing requirements with the board before you enroll.

Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, Mortuary Science Program (no separate board)

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