District of Columbia Board of Funeral Directors
The D.C. Board of Funeral Directors regulates license funeral directors and funeral home establishments. The Board’s mission is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens in the District of Columbia by upholding the District of Columbia Funeral Directors laws and regulations. The Funeral Directors license law is defined in the Municipal Funeral Directors Regulations. The Board consists of five members appointed by the Mayor. Four members must each hold a funeral director license and have practiced for a minimum of three years. One member must be a non-licensed funeral director representing consumers. Three members of the Board constitute a quorum.
The Board meets on the first Thursday of each month at 1:00 p.m. at the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection located at 1100 4th Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024. Due to the public health emergency, all board meetings are currently being held virtually. Please check meeting dates here.
Important Updates
Applicant
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***Applicant
Apply for license
Click to apply for a license.
Items Needed for Application
Apprentice Funeral Director
- One 2”x2” passport-style photo (.jpeg format)
- Un-expired government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license)
- Debit or credit card to pay application, exam, or license fees
- Must be 18 or older
Education
- Possess a high school diploma or GED
- Graduate or currently enrolled in an accredited school or college of mortuary science (at least 12 months and 840 hours of study) or an accredited 2-year mortuary science leading to an associate’s degree
- A full-time or part-time apprenticeship with a funeral service establishment in the district is required
- Passing score on the DC Apprentice Funeral Director Exam “Oral and practical exam”
- Passing score on the National Board Exam for Sciences
- Passing score on the National Board Exam for Arts
Documents
- Arrange for official results from The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards Inc
- Arrange for official results from The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards Inc
- Copy of high school transcript
- Arrange for an official transcript from your mortuary science program to be sent to the Board
- Funeral Director Supervisory Form : must be completed by the licensed funeral director providing supervision and must be notarized
- Funeral Director Supervisory Form: must be completed by the licensed funeral director providing supervision and must be notarized
- Upload proof of employment with a licensed Funeral Home Establishment
Funeral Director
- One 2”x2” passport-style photo (.jpeg format)
- Un-expired government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license)
- Debit or credit card to pay application, exam, or license fees
- Must be 18 or older
Education
- Possess a high school diploma or GED
- Graduate or currently enrolled in an accredited school or college of mortuary science (at least 12 months and 840 hours of study) or an accredited 2-year course of study at a mortuary science school leading to an associate’s degree
Documents
- Arrange to have the passing scores from The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Board’s (ICFSEB) National Exam sent to the board
- Copy of high school transcript and diploma
- Copy of “Mortuary Science” college degree
- Arrange for an official transcript from your mortuary science program to be sent to the Board of Funeral Directors
- Complete Experience Confirmation Form
- 1 year experience as an apprentice funeral director if you have an associate’s degree in Mortuary Science
- 2 years’ experience as an apprentice funeral Director if you have graduated from a school or college of Mortuary Science
Funeral Director by Examination
Must have graduated from a mortuary science program; serve a minimum 1 year apprenticeship if have a mortuary science Associate of Arts degree and 2 year apprenticeship with a mortuary science certificate; while an apprentice, embalm a minimum of 25 decedents and conduct a minimum of 25 funerals under supervision of a licensed funeral director; pass the arts and science parts of the National Board exam; pass the DC written law exam; pass the DC embalming practical exam.
Funeral Director by Waiver/Endorsement
- One 2”x2” passport-style photo (.jpeg format)
- Un-expired government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license)
- Debit or credit card to pay application, exam, or license fees
- Must be 18 or older
Documents/Requirements
- Written portions may be waived if previously passed
- Copy of high school transcript and diploma
- Arrange for a letter of good standing to be sent to the Board of Funeral Directors
- Provide proof of 5 continuous years of practice as a Funeral Director
- Must pass DC law exam
- Provide a letter from the jurisdiction in which you are licensed. The letter must prove to have equal, or greater licensure requirements for Funeral Directors than in the District of Columbia. Correspondence must come directly from that jurisdiction to the Board of Funeral Directors.
Funeral Director by Reciprocity “North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland only”
N.C & V.A Requirements
- Arrange for a letter of good standing to be sent to the Board of Funeral Directors
- Arrange to have the passing scores from The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Board’s (ICFSEB) “National and law” Exam sent to the board
- Proof of current license
- Please see Virginia and DC Reciprocity Agreement
Maryland
- Arrange for a letter of good standing to be sent to the Board of Funeral Directors
- Arrange to have the passing scores from The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Board’s (ICFSEB) “National and law” Exam sent to the board
- Arrange to have the passing scores from The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Board’s (ICFSEB) “National and law” Exam sent to the board
- Provide proof of 5 years’ consecutive work experience in Maryland: Maryland Funeral Director Work Experience Verification Form
- Provide proof of Maryland license
Courtesy Card
- One 2”x2” passport-style photo (.jpeg format)
- Un-expired government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license)
- Debit or credit card to pay application, exam, or license fees
- Must be 18 or older
Documents
- Copy of funeral directors’ license in Maryland or Virginia
- Arrange for a letter of good standing to be sent to the Board of Funeral Directors
Funeral Service Establishment
- One 2”x2” passport-style photo (.jpeg format)
- Un-expired government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license)
- Debit or credit card to pay application, exam, or license fees
Documents
- Provide proof of a Funeral Director's license for at least one owner of the Funeral Service Establishment
- Provide proof of a Basic Business License
- Provide proof of Corporate/Partnership Registration
- Provide proof of Ownership/Partnership with a Funeral Director * must include Name, address, license number, and license Jurisdiction of the Funeral Director
- Provide proof of Certificate of Occupancy
- Provide proof of Original Trade Name Registration * If Applicable
- Provide proof of Fire Inspection Report
- Request/Provide proof of OPL Inspection Report: Please send an email to [email protected] to request an OPL Inspection
Examination
Exams may be scheduled online or by phone.
To schedule online, visit psiexams.com. New users will need to create an account and register prior to scheduling an exam. Once registered, select “Schedule and examination”
Applicants may also schedule by phone at 1-855-557-0616.
*Please note all applicants require approval for an exam from the Board of Funeral Directors before they can schedule an exam.
Study Guide
- DCMR Title 17 Chapter 30 – Funeral Directors
- DCMR Title 17 Chapter 31 – Funeral Services Establishments
- DCMR Title 17 Chapter 33 – Funeral Directors
- D.C. Code Title 3 Chapter 4 – Funeral Directors
- D.C. Code Title 5 Chapter 14 – Chief Medical Examiner
- D.C. Code Title 7 Chapter 2a – Vital Records
- D.C. Code Title 43 Chapter 1 – Cemetery Associations; Regulatory Provisions
- DCMR Title 18 Chapter 22, Title 18 – Funeral Procession
- Code Book
Fees*
- Application $65.00
- Apprentice $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Funeral Director $120.00 (up to 2 years)
- Courtesy Card $100.00 (up to 2 years)
- Funeral Service Establishment $160 (up to 1 year)
- Renewal (Funeral Service Establishment) $170
- Renewal (Funeral Director) $130.00 (up to 2 years)
- Late Renewal Fee $50.00
- Renewal Courtesy Card $100 (up to 2 years)
- Examination/Re-examination (See § 3500.3)
- Reinstated License (Funeral Director) $120.00 (up to 2 years)
- Reinstated License (Funeral Service Establishment) $175.00 (up to 2 years)
- Verification of Records/Letter of Certification $30.00
* Please note that according to D.C. Code § 47-2853.10, application fees for initial licensing, certification, registration, renewal and reinstatement shall not be refundable, even if the applicant withdraws his or her application for licensure, certification or registration, or is found to be not qualified.
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***Licensee
License Renewal
Expiration Date: December 31; Renewal Year: Odd
Submit an application for renewal of an occupational or professional license.
Continuing Education
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Upload Certificate (s) demonstrating twelve (12) credits hours per cycle completed from DC Board of Funeral Directors approved providers. You can view DC Board approved continuing education providers by using the following link:
Approved Continuing Education Providers
*Please Note: All state funeral boards and funeral associations continuing education (CE) programs will be accepted by the DC Board
Reinstatement
Funeral Reinstatement Application
Letter of Certification/License Verification (You must have a free Access DC account)
Request a Letter of License Certification
Consumer
Search for an Occupational or Professional License
File a Complaint
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*** Meeting Dates
Find the schedule for DLCP Board Meetings here.
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***Members and Staff
Board Members
John McGuire – Chair, Funeral Director
Kasey Martin – Funeral Director
Randolph Horton – Funeral Director
Ernest Boykin – Consumer Member
To apply for a vacancy, please visit the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments for more information and applications.
Board Staff
Allison Wade – Board Administrator
Kevin Cyrus – Education Coordinator
Irena Moore – Exam Coordinator
For more information, please contact Occupational and Professional Licensing (OPL) using our online inquiry form, via email at [email protected], or by phone at (202) 671-4500.
Address: 1100 4th Street, SW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20024
Direct Email: [email protected]
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***Publications and Resources
Required Experience Confirmation Form
DCMR Title 17 Chapter 30 – Funeral Directors
DCMR Title 17 Chapter 31 – Funeral Services Establishments
DCMR Title 17 Chapter 33 – Funeral Directors
D.C. Code Title 3 Chapter 4 – Funeral Directors
D.C. Code Title 5 Chapter 14 – Chief Medical Examiner
D.C. Code Title 7 Chapter 2a – Vital Records
D.C. Code Title 43 Chapter 1 – Cemetery Associations; Regulatory Provisions
DCMR Title 18 Chapter 22, Title 18 – Funeral Procession
Code Book
Funeral Director Supervisory Form
Maryland Funeral Director Work Experience Verification Form
Approved Continuing Education Providers