National Board Exam Sciences — Information & Free Practice
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National Board Exam Sciences
- Provider
- The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards (The Conference); computer-based exam administered by Pearson at Pearson Professional Centers
- Format
- Computer-based multiple-choice examination, administered, paid for, scheduled and scored separately from the NBE-Arts section; a basic calculator is built into the exam software
- Exam questions
- 170 multiple-choice questions: 150 scored and 20 non-scored pretest questions
- Time limit
- 170 minutes for the exam (the appointment also includes a 3-minute non-disclosure agreement, a 3-minute release-of-results screen and a 7-minute tutorial)
- Passing score
- Scaled score of 75 (pass/fail)
- Exam fee
- $285 per section
Examination outline
- I. Embalming (62 of 150 scored items; 41% of the NBE-Sciences blueprint) (41%)
- II. Restorative Art (34 of 150 scored items; 23% of the NBE-Sciences blueprint) (23%)
- III. Other Preparation of the Deceased (28 of 150 scored items; 19% of the NBE-Sciences blueprint) (19%)
- IV. Funeral Service Sciences (26 of 150 scored items; 17% of the NBE-Sciences blueprint) (17%)
Examination sources
- The Conference — NBE Candidate Handbook 2026
PDF p. 13, Exam Structure & Content, content outline heading
- The Conference — NBE Candidate Handbook 2026
PDF p. 13, NBE-Sciences domain I
- The Conference — NBE Candidate Handbook 2026
PDF p. 13, NBE-Sciences domain II
- The Conference — NBE Candidate Handbook 2026
PDF p. 13, NBE-Sciences domain III
- The Conference — NBE Candidate Handbook 2026
PDF p. 13, NBE-Sciences domain IV
- The Conference — The Conference Releases 2023 National Board Exam Content Outline (August 30, 2022)
UPDATED NBE Blueprint (2023 - TBD) table, NBE-Sciences row I
- The Conference — The Conference Releases 2023 National Board Exam Content Outline (August 30, 2022)
UPDATED NBE Blueprint (2023 - TBD) table, NBE-Sciences row II
- The Conference — The Conference Releases 2023 National Board Exam Content Outline (August 30, 2022)
UPDATED NBE Blueprint (2023 - TBD) table, NBE-Sciences row III
- The Conference — The Conference Releases 2023 National Board Exam Content Outline (August 30, 2022)
UPDATED NBE Blueprint (2023 - TBD) table, NBE-Sciences row IV
- The Conference — The Conference Releases 2023 National Board Exam Content Outline (August 30, 2022)
UPDATED NBE Blueprint (2023 - TBD) table heading
- The Conference — 2025 Guide to the National Board Exam
PDF p. 4, Exam Content Outline paragraph
- The Conference — NBE Candidate Handbook 2026
PDF p. 13, Basis for Exam Content
- The Conference — NBE Candidate Handbook 2026
PDF p. 13, Exam Structure & Content, item counts
- The Conference — NBE Candidate Handbook 2026
PDF p. 13, Exam Structure & Content, scored questions
- The Conference — NBE Candidate Handbook 2026
PDF p. 33, Scoring, passing standard
- The Conference — NBE Candidate Handbook 2026
PDF p. 29, exam timing table, NBE row
- The Conference — NBE Candidate Handbook 2026
PDF p. 7, Summaries of Policies & Procedures, calculator
- The Conference — For Candidates (National Board Exam FAQ)
National Board Exam FAQ, How is the NBE scored?
- The Conference — NBE Candidate Handbook 2026
PDF p. 13, Exam Structure & Content, first sentence
- The Conference — NBE Candidate Handbook 2026
PDF p. 19, Exam Fees
- The Conference — NBE Candidate Handbook 2026
PDF p. 21, scheduling, separate scheduling of the two sections
- The Conference — FAQ: Exam Changes as of January 1, 2023
What is changing ... SBE/NBE Moving to NBE-Arts and NBE-Sciences
Related license preparation
This examination may be required or accepted as an alternative, depending on the license and application pathway.
- Embalmer's Apprentice Certificate; Funeral Director's Apprentice Certificate; branch registration; Preneed Certificate of Authority; Crematory Registration; Funeral Establishment License; Mortuary Service License; Embalmer Special Work Permit; Funeral Director Special Work Permit; practical embalmer; Preneed Sales Agent Registration; Special Operating Permit; temporary certificate of authority
- Apprentice Embalmer Certificate of Registration; Apprentice Funeral Director Certificate of Registration; Crematory Retort Operator License; Inactive Crematory Retort Operator License; Lifetime Crematory Retort Operator License; Crematory Retort Operator — Temporary Working Number; Temporary Certificate of Authorization to Operate a Crematory; Embalmer License; Inactive Embalmer License; Lifetime Embalmer License; Temporary Embalmer Working Number; Funeral Establishment Type A — Full-Service Funeral Firm; funeral establishment type b-mortuary service firm; funeral establishment type c-crematory authority; funeral establishment type d-transport service firm; Funeral Director License; Inactive Funeral Director License; Lifetime Funeral Director License; Temporary Funeral Director Working Number; Transport Driver Registration
- Registered apprentice embalmer; Registered apprentice funeral director; Embalmer's license; Specially designated license; Temporary license; Funeral director's license; Funeral home license; Pregraduate student embalmer; Pregraduate student funeral director
- Crematory Establishment Permit; Funeral Director Limited; Funeral Establishment Permit; Funeral Director; Provisional Professional License; Military Registration; Funeral Resident Intern
- Centralized Embalming Facility License; Cinerator Facility License; Funeral Director and Embalmer (Combination License); Combination Funeral Director and Embalmer Intern; Limited Funeral Director and Embalmer License for Times of Critical Need; Funeral Director and Embalmer — Provisional License; Funeral Director and Embalmer — Temporary License; Direct Disposal Establishment License; Direct Disposer; Embalmer; Embalmer Apprentice; Embalmer Intern; limited license for retired professionals during times of critical need; Embalmer — Provisional License; embalmer temporary license; Funeral Director; Funeral Director Intern; Limited Funeral Director License for Times of Critical Need; Funeral Director — Provisional License; temporary funeral director; Funeral Establishment License; Refrigeration Facility License; Removal Service License
- apprentice registration; Funeral Service Board-Approved Instructor Status; Funeral Service Board-Approved Continuing Education Provider; Crematory License; Embalmer License; Funeral Director License; Funeral Establishment License; Organic Human Reduction Facility License
- Branch Location License; courtesy card; Crematory Authority Registration; Funeral Director License; Embalmer License; Funeral Home License; Inactive Funeral Director License; Funeral Director Intern License; Certificate of Authority; Probationary Funeral Director License; Provisional License
- Crematory Authority License; Crematory Retort Operator License; Embalmer and Funeral Director License; Funeral Director License; Funeral Establishment License; Inactive Embalmer and Funeral Director License; Inactive Funeral Director License; Registered Embalmer and Funeral Director Intern; Registered Funeral Director Intern; Survivor's Special Managerial Work Permit; Embalmer and Funeral Director Temporary License; Funeral Director Temporary License
- Funeral Attendant; Funeral Establishment Branch; Funeral Director; Funeral Establishment; inactive status license; Practitioner of Funeral Service; Practitioner Trainee
- Apprentice License; Corporation License; Courtesy Card; Registered Crematory Operator; Crematory Permit; Executor License; Funeral Director License; Funeral Establishment License; Mortician License; Mortuary Transport Service Permit; pre–need trustee license; Reduction Facility Permit; Registered Reduction Operator; Restricted Funeral Establishment License; Surviving Spouse License; Temporary Mortician or Funeral Director Permit; Registered Transporter
- License to Operate an Alkaline Hydrolysis Facility; License to Operate a Crematory; Mortuary Science Practitioner Emeritus Registration; Limited License; Funeral Director Only; License to Operate a Funeral Establishment; Mortuary Science Intern Registration; License to Practice Mortuary Science; License to Operate a Natural Organic Reduction Facility; transfer care specialist
- Funeral Directing and Embalming Apprentice; Branch Establishment; Crematory Authority; Funeral Director and Embalmer; Funeral Establishment; Funeral Director; Embalmer; Temporary Funeral Director and Embalmer License for a Military Spouse; provisional license
- Apprentice Embalmer Certificate of Registration; certificate of authority; certificate of approval of the proposed change of control in the cemetery authority; Crematory Operator License; Direct Cremation Facility Permit; Embalmer License; Special Temporary Funeral Director License; Funeral Arranger License; Funeral Director License; Funeral Establishment Permit
- Branch Funeral Establishment Registration; Chapel Registration; courtesy cards; Embalmer Courtesy Card; Crematory License; Crematory Manager Permit; Funeral Director License; Embalmer License; Embalming Facility Registration; Funeral Establishment Permit; hydrolysis license; Hydrolysis Manager Permit; Inactive Funeral Director License; Inactive Embalmer License; Inactive Funeral Service License; Inactive License for Resident Trainees; Inactive License for Embalmer Resident Trainees; Inactive Funeral Service Resident Trainee License; Funeral Service License; Preneed Funeral Establishment License; Preneed Sales License; Provisional Funeral Director License; Temporary Funeral Director License; Temporary Embalmer License; Temporary License; Funeral Director Resident Trainee Registration; Embalmer Resident Trainee Registration; Funeral Service Resident Trainee Registration; Transportation Service Permit; Removal and Transportation Permit; Unaffiliated Practice Permit
- Funeral Chapel License; Crematorium License; Funeral Establishment License; Certificate of Registration as an Intern Embalmer; Funeral Practitioner; Provisional License; Special Renewable Temporary Funeral Establishment License; Provisional or Temporary Funeral Service License
- Courtesy Card Permit; Crematory Facility License; Crematory Operator Permit; Embalmer License; Certified Embalmer Apprenticeship; Embalming Facility License; Funeral Director License; Certified Funeral Director Apprenticeship; Funeral Home License; Temporary Crematory Operator License; Temporary Embalmer License; Temporary Funeral Director License
- certificate of apprenticeship; Assistant Funeral Director License; Burial Agent License; Burial Association License; Temporary Permit for Funeral Directors and Embalmers; Commercial Embalming Establishment License; Crematory License; Embalmer License; Funeral Director License; Funeral Establishment License; Restricted Embalmer License; Funeral Director License (Funeral Directing Only); Temporary Funeral Establishment License
- apprentice certificate: funeral director and/or embalmer; Branch Funeral Home Permit; Crematory Permit; Crematory Operator Registration; Funeral Director and Embalmer; Temporary Funeral Director and Embalmer License (Military Spouse); Embalmer; Temporary Embalmer License (Military Spouse); Funeral Director; Temporary Funeral Director License (Military Spouse); Funeral Home Permit; preneed funeral contracts license; Retail Sales Outlet Permit; Student Permit: Funeral Director and/or Embalmer; Temporary Permit for Replacement Funeral Establishment or Crematory Manager
- Commercial Embalmers Establishment License; Crematory Establishment License; Funeral Director and Embalmer Dual License; Funeral Director and Embalmer Dual License (Disabled, Active); Funeral Director and Embalmer Dual License (Disabled, Inactive); Funeral Director and Embalmer Dual License (Retired, Active); Funeral Director and Embalmer Dual License (Retired, Inactive); Embalmer License; Embalmer License (Disabled, Active); Embalmer License (Disabled, Inactive); Embalmer License (Retired, Active); Embalmer License (Retired, Inactive); Funeral Director License; Funeral Director License (Disabled, Active); Funeral Director License (Disabled, Inactive); Funeral Director License (Retired, Active); Funeral Director License (Retired, Inactive); Funeral Establishment License; Military Provisional Licensing — Funeral Directing and Embalming; Military Provisional Embalmer License; Military Provisional Funeral Director License; Provisional Embalmer License; Provisional Funeral Director License; Temporary Operation Authorization; temporary operation authorization
- Funeral Director; Funeral Director Apprentice Registration; Vermont Emergency Temporary License; Honorary Funeral Director License; Provisional Funeral Director License; Temporary Renewal Funeral Director License; Disposition Facility License; Disposition Facility Personnel Registration; Temporary Renewal License Pending Continuing Education; Embalmer; Vermont Embalmer Apprenticeship; Honorary License; Provisional Embalmer License; Temporary Renewal License; Funeral Establishment License; Limited Services Establishment License; Disposition Facility License — Natural Organic Reduction Specialty; Removal Personnel Registration
- Funeral Service License (combination license); Temporary Funeral Service License (combination license) for a Foreign National; Virginia Inactive Funeral Service License; Virginia Temporary Funeral Service License for Military Spouses; Courtesy Card; Crematory Registration; Funeral Director License; Temporary Funeral Director License for a Foreign National; Inactive Funeral Director License; Temporary Funeral Director License for a Military Spouse; Embalmer License; Temporary Embalmer License for a Foreign National; Inactive Embalmer License; Temporary Embalmer License for a Military Spouse; Funeral Service Establishment License; Funeral Service Intern Registration; Funeral Directing Intern Registration; Embalming Intern Registration; Funeral Internship Supervisor Registration; Surface Transportation and Removal Service Registration
- Academic Intern Registration; Hydrolysis Facility License or Endorsement; Alkaline Hydrolysis Operator License; Branch Funeral Establishment License; Conditional Funeral Establishment License; Crematory License or Endorsement; Crematory Operator License; Embalmer License; Embalmer Intern License; Final Disposition Permit; Funeral Director License; Funeral Director Intern License; Funeral Establishment License; Natural Organic Reduction Facility License or Endorsement; Natural Organic Reduction Operator License; Prearrangement Funeral Service Certificate of Registration; Certificate of Removal Registration; retired status certificate of registration; Temporary Embalmer License; Temporary Funeral Director License
- Alkaline Hydrolysis Operator Certificate; Inactive Alkaline Hydrolysis Operator Certificate; Apprentice Funeral Director Registration; Apprentice Funeral Service Licensee Registration; Branch Funeral Establishment; Crematory Operator Certificate; Inactive Crematory Operator Certificate; Conditional Funeral Director / Embalmer Return-to-Work License; Courtesy Card; Crematory License; Embalmer License; Embalmer License Emeritus; Inactive Embalmer License; Funeral Director License; funeral director emeritus; Inactive Funeral Director License; Funeral Service License; funeral service licensee emeritus; Inactive Funeral Service License; certification for alkaline hydrolysis of human remains; Main Funeral Establishment License; Mortuary Service License; certificate of authority; Probationary Crematory License; Probationary Funeral Establishment License; Provisional Licensee-in-Charge Authority