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California Funeral Service — Requirements & Free Practice

US-CA · License preparation

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Cremated Remains Disposer Registration

Registration for persons disposing of or offering to dispose of cremated or hydrolyzed human remains, subject to statutory exemptions.

Licensing authority: Cemetery and Funeral Bureau · Application information

Initial cremated remains disposer registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Completed registration form and fee; names, residence/business addresses, methods, area served, aircraft/boat descriptions, identification and documentation numbers.
Exemptions
BPC § 7672 exempts holders of the listed cemetery, crematory, hydrolysis facility, broker, salesperson or funeral director authorizations and the right-to-control person/designee disposing of no more than ten remains annually.
Fingerprints
Submit Live Scan forms showing scanning and fees paid.
Minimum Age
At least eighteen under Bureau instructions.
Transport Equipment
Valid FAA aircraft certification; boats registered with DMV or federally documented as applicable.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Annual disposer registration renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Annual Report
A completed report for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth must be filed before renewal and by September thirtieth, with required receipt, authorization and disposition data.
Expiration
September thirtieth each year.
Fees
Pay required registration renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Crematory License

A bureau-issued license required to operate a crematory.

Licensing authority: California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau · Application information

Assignment following crematory ownership change
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Assignment
New owner may apply at least thirty days before change and pay assignment fee; Bureau approves/disapproves. Notify Bureau with supporting purchase documents within thirty days after completion.
Ownership
Report ownership change; transfer of more than fifty percent equitable interest constitutes a change.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial crematory licence
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicant
Corporation, partnership or natural person owns, operates or can commence operating a crematory.
Application
Prescribed application and fee, ownership documents, air pollution and zoning permits, deed/lease, financial and operation statements, price lists, prearrangement agreement, facility plans, fire/occupancy report, certification affidavits and cemetery disposition contract.
Management
Operate under a designated licensed Crematory Manager.
Operator Training
Document employee instruction and demonstrated competence under HSC § 8347; this is training, not a separately identified licensing examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New facility licence after expiration beyond five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Pay fees and satisfy the applicable original business/facility licence conditions; employees' licences do not become facility-applicant exam leaves.
Expiration
Former licence cannot be renewed/restored/reissued/reinstated after five years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Timely facility licence renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing Licence
File renewal application and prescribed fee before expiration.
Facility Compliance
Continue the applicable facility and licensed-manager requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Funeral Director

Funeral director licensure requires an examination, with a possible examination waiver for qualifying former licensees.

Licensing authority: Cemetery and Funeral Bureau · Application information

Renewal waiver during active military duty
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Active Duty
Submit Military Affidavit, orders substantiating active duty dates and the licenses for which waiver is requested.
Duration
Waiver of renewal fees and other Bureau-determined renewal requirements lasts only for the active-duty period.
Practice
No licensed activity during the waiver; notify the Bureau within sixty days of discharge.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after suspension, cancellation or revocation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Written application; not less than ten days notice to parties of record and hearing of supporting and opposing evidence.
Bureau Discretion
Reinstatement is discretionary on terms the Bureau deems just; individualized terms are applicant conditions and no identified current examination is specified by BPC § 7711.
Fees
If a revoked licence is reinstated after expiration, pay the statutory reinstatement fee and accrued delinquency fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal after one year and within five years after expiration
Funeral Director Written Examination
Exam Discretion
BPC § 7725.2 allows the Bureau to require an examination on the appropriate subjects provided by the chapter; the listed profession examinations are conditional on that decision.
Expiration
Expired more than one year and no more than five years; file renewal and pay accrued and delinquent fees.
Renewal within one year after expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Expiration
Expired no more than one year; apply and pay all accrued renewal fees and, if over thirty days late, the delinquency fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure by examination
Funeral Director Written Examination
Application
Verified application, required fees, and Live Scan fingerprint documentation. New fingerprints are required if no license is obtained within twelve months.
Education
Associate of arts or science degree, equivalent, or higher accredited education; official transcripts must be sent directly to the Bureau.
Eligibility Window
Sit the examination within one year after eligibility notification; apply for licensure within twelve months after passing.
Expedited Processing
Veterans, military spouses/partners, refugees, asylees and special immigrant visa holders may request the applicable expedited processing or fee waiver without removing ordinary licensure qualifications.
Fitness
No acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial under BPC § 480.
Military Training
The Bureau may consider transferable military education, training or experience upon a documented request.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years (BPC § 7619).
Practice
Must be employed by, or proprietor of, a licensed funeral establishment.
New licence after failure to renew within five years
Funeral Director Written Examination
Exam Waiver
The Bureau may issue a new licence without examination if satisfied, with regard to public interest, that the former licensee is qualified.
Expiration
A licence not renewed within five years cannot be renewed, restored, reissued or reinstated.
Qualifications
Meet original issuance requirements except education and pay all fees.
Timely renewal of unexpired licence
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing Licence
Unexpired licence; file renewal application and pay the prescribed renewal fee by expiration.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal while suspended
Funeral Director Written Examination
Renewal Timing
Comply with the ordinary renewal provisions; after one year expired the Bureau may require the appropriate examination.
Suspension
Renewal does not authorize practice while suspended or otherwise override the suspension order.

Funeral Establishment License

License to operate a funeral establishment at a fixed place or facility, subject to Bureau review of the facility and applicant qualifications.

Licensing authority: Cemetery and Funeral Bureau · Application information

Assignment and transfer of establishment licence
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Completed application and assignment fee.
Bond Exception
If audit unavailable because of specified estate matters or litigation, seek Bureau approval to post required surety bond with trust account report; amount fifty percent above corpus, renewed annually while audit/shortages remain outstanding.
Trust Audit
Independent California CPA/public accountant audit with unqualified trust balance opinion and compliance report; fund shortages.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Change establishment location
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Bureau form, fee and favorable inspection report on physical status or plans/specifications.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after suspension, cancellation or revocation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Written application; not less than ten days notice to parties of record and hearing of supporting and opposing evidence.
Bureau Discretion
Reinstatement is discretionary on terms the Bureau deems just; individualized terms are applicant conditions and no identified current examination is specified by BPC § 7711.
Fees
If a revoked licence is reinstated after expiration, pay the statutory reinstatement fee and accrued delinquency fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial funeral establishment licence
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Age And Fitness
Applicant, all association/corporation officers, or all general partners must be at least eighteen and free of acts or crimes constituting BPC § 480 denial grounds.
Management
Employ a licensed funeral director; sharing facilities or management requires applicable contractual documentation and Bureau approval.
Ownership Documents
Application, fee, corporate resolution/articles or partnership agreement and certification affidavits for each owner, officer, partner or trustee as applicable.
Premises
Bureau investigation of proposed facilities, equipment and applicant ability/experience; local approval of use/location.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New facility licence after expiration beyond five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Pay fees and satisfy the applicable original business/facility licence conditions; employees' licences do not become facility-applicant exam leaves.
Expiration
Former licence cannot be renewed/restored/reissued/reinstated after five years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New establishment application after ownership or organizational change
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Complete establishment application and qualifications under BPC Article 2.
Trigger
Change in ownership, incorporation, addition of a partner, or owner death leaving the establishment as part or all of an estate.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Timely facility licence renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing Licence
File renewal application and prescribed fee before expiration.
Facility Compliance
Continue the applicable facility and licensed-manager requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Hydrolysis Facility License

License to operate, establish, or maintain a hydrolysis facility, subject to applicable legal and permit requirements.

Licensing authority: Cemetery and Funeral Bureau · Application information

Initial hydrolysis facility licence
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicant
Corporation, partnership or natural person; application and fees.
Chamber
Employ a California Department of Public Health approved chamber.
Hydrolysate
Show disposal permits/contracts and intended sewer discharge or collection/transport model.
Inspection
After required documentation approval, Bureau field representative inspects before final licence approval.
Management
Designate a licensed Crematory Manager on the Bureau application; this is a licence-held staffing condition, not a separate facility-applicant examination.
Permits
Prove compliance with applicable laws and present public-health, wastewater-treatment, hazardous-waste and other applicable state/local permits.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New facility licence after expiration beyond five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Pay fees and satisfy the applicable original business/facility licence conditions; employees' licences do not become facility-applicant exam leaves.
Expiration
Former licence cannot be renewed/restored/reissued/reinstated after five years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New hydrolysis facility licence following ownership change
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Meet the hydrolysis facility application and compliance requirements.
Change
Report transfer of more than fifty percent equitable interest; existing licence lapses and new owner obtains a new licence.
Permits
No new other-agency permit/licence required where the existing permit/licence remains valid.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Timely facility licence renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing Licence
File renewal application and prescribed fee before expiration.
Facility Compliance
Maintain the applicable licensed facility qualifications; hydrolysis renewal additionally requires annual chamber maintenance proof and the applicable five-year public-health pathogen-destruction review.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Funeral Establishment License

A six-month temporary establishment license for the legal representative of a deceased licensed funeral director whose estate includes a funeral establishment, subject to denial grounds and discretionary extension for estate distribution.

Licensing authority: California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau · Application information

Temporary licence to deceased director estate representative
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Estate
Licensed funeral director dies leaving funeral establishment as part or all of estate; applicant is legal representative.
Fitness
No acts or crimes constituting BPC § 480 denial grounds.
Term
Six months from issuance; Bureau may grant reasonable extension on representative petition to permit estate distribution.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Extension of temporary estate establishment licence
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Petition
Estate legal representative petitions; extension is at Bureau discretion for a reasonable period warranted by estate distribution.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Funeral Director Written Examination

Examination outline
  • Disposition Administration (60%)
    • Disposition Authorizations (13% of examination)
    • Identify the persons with the right to control disposition by gathering information from consumers, health officials, and other parties.
    • Obtain authorization for release of human remains from the persons with the right to control disposition to assume care of decedent.
    • Obtain vital statistics information about decedent from persons with the right to control disposition to complete documents and aid in the disposition process.
    • Coordinate with health officials and third parties on behalf of consumers to facilitate the completion of documents and disposition services.
    • Knowledge of methods to obtain information from consumers and health officials to aid in the disposition process.
    • Knowledge of regulations pertaining to the right to control disposition and degree of kinship.
    • Knowledge of methods to obtain information from consumers to aid in determining the person with the right to control disposition.
    • Knowledge of methods to complete authorization documents on paper or electronically.
    • Knowledge of procedures for preparing and filing death certificates.
    • Knowledge of information required to complete death certificates.
    • Knowledge of required coroner approvals and authorizations for processes.
    • Knowledge of processes to obtain information, documents, signatures, and other approvals from health officials.
    • Knowledge of requirement and process to submit disposition documents to the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau.
    • Disposition Documents (10% of examination)
    • Coordinate the completion of required forms with consumers to document decedent information and include in decedent file.
    • Complete documents (e.g., cremation authorization, accept/decline embalming form, pre-need disclosure) on paper or electronically to maintain records of consumer preferences and authorizations.
    • Obtain disposition permit from the registrar to perform disposition in accordance with legal requirements.
    • Knowledge of methods to obtain required signatures from consumers to aid in the process of disposition of human remains.
    • Knowledge of methods to obtain completed Authorization to Accept or Decline Embalming form from the persons with the right to control disposition of human remains.
    • Knowledge of methods to obtain cremation authorization form from persons with the right to control disposition.
    • Knowledge of regulations and process of cremation.
    • Knowledge of methods to complete statement of services and merchandise by inputting the consumer's requested services and merchandise into a contract form.
    • Knowledge of methods to develop contracts for funeral goods and services.
    • Knowledge of methods to obtain permits for disposition.
    • Knowledge of funeral customs that require an expedited disposition permit.
    • Disposition Planning and Compliance (37% of examination)
    • Obtain payments from consumers to cover the costs of goods and services.
    • Provide consumers with the Consumer Guide to Funeral and Cemetery Purchases to inform consumers of their rights.
    • Discuss whether pre-need arrangements exist before drafting a contract for funeral goods and services to assist consumers with carrying out decedent's disposition wishes.
    • Provide consumers with price lists for goods and services.
    • Explain funding options for pre-need agreements.
    • Explain types of pre-need agreements.
    • Give consumers an itemized statement of goods and services, including possible additional cost estimates for goods and services.
    • Notify coroner, health officials, or public administrator of all reportable information.
    • Submit signed documents as required to maintain compliance with cemetery and funeral statutes (e.g., death certificate, embalming authorization, cremation authorization).
    • Maintain case records, registers, or files in accordance with legal requirements.
    • Maintain up-to-date documents, forms, and other records for reference in accordance with legal requirements.
    • Manage pre-need trust funds in accordance with legal requirements.
    • Knowledge of how pre-need funds are applied at need.
    • Knowledge of financial resources available for at-need funeral arrangements.
    • Knowledge of regulations pertaining to consumer cemetery and funeral public assistance funding eligibility.
    • Knowledge of funding options for goods and services.
    • Knowledge of requirement to provide consumers with the Consumer Guide to Funeral and Cemetery Purchases.
    • Knowledge of methods to obtain pre-need arrangement information.
    • Knowledge of methods to adhere to pre-need arrangements.
    • Knowledge of revocable and irrevocable pre-need agreements.
    • Knowledge of pre-need arrangements, and the differences between guaranteed (e.g., goods and services) and non- guaranteed (e.g., cash advances) line items.
    • Knowledge of methods to disclose pre-need trust arrangements in accordance with legal requirements.
    • Knowledge of requirements to provide consumers with a General Price List.
    • Knowledge of requirements to provide consumers with a Casket Price List.
    • Knowledge of requirements to provide consumers with an Outer Burial Container price list.
    • Knowledge of legal requirements surrounding price transparency for funeral goods and services.
    • Knowledge of diseases that must be reported to health officials.
    • Knowledge of death injuries and circumstances that must be reported to the coroner.
    • Knowledge of methods to submit documentation to facilitate services and disposition.
    • Knowledge of EDRS system function and process of approval.
    • Knowledge of methods to maintain funeral and disposition documentation in accordance with legal requirements.
    • Knowledge of methods to display prices for consumers.
    • Knowledge of requirements to maintain records of price lists.
    • Knowledge of methods to manage pre-need trust funds in accordance with legal requirements.
    • Knowledge of escheat regulations for returning pre-need funds to beneficiaries or trustors if a funeral establishment closes.
  • Facility Maintenance and Decedent Care and Preparation (12%)
    • Assist in the care and process of preparing human remains for services, including dressing and casketing as needed.
    • Refrigerate human remains in accordance with legal requirements.
    • Maintain privacy and security in areas of preparation and embalming by adhering to cemetery and funeral regulations.
    • Maintain sanitary conditions of funeral establishment rooms in accordance with legal requirements.
    • Manage upkeep of equipment and storage of supplies for use during preparation in accordance with legal requirements.
    • Knowledge of requirements related to care and preparation of human remains.
    • Knowledge of exceptions to preparation room access for third-party personnel (e.g., hairdressers, maintenance workers).
    • Knowledge of legal requirements pertaining to the refrigeration of human remains.
    • Knowledge of legal requirements to maintain decedent privacy in preparation and embalming areas.
    • Knowledge of standards of cleanliness and sanitation for preparation and embalming facilities.
    • Knowledge of requirements to maintain preparation equipment and storage facilities.
  • Consumer Counseling and Disposition Coordination (28%)
    • Consumer Counseling (22% of examination)
    • Take first call to obtain information about decedent to aid in the removal process.
    • Discuss goods and services options with consumer to determine desired type of disposition.
    • Explain embalming to consumers in accordance with legal requirements.
    • Explain to consumers options and requirements for interment of human remains.
    • Explain to consumers the requirements for disinterment of human remains.
    • Explain public assistance funds available for at-need funeral arrangement purposes (e.g., FEMA, funds for veterans, indigent people, and victims of crime).
    • Coordinate funeral or memorial services and disposition with cemetery staff, consumers, and third parties.
    • Knowledge of vital information that is required to perform a removal (e.g., location, weight, communicable diseases, obstacles).
    • Knowledge of parties who must be notified of death before a funeral home takes human remains into their care (e.g., coroner, hospice).
    • Knowledge of equipment and number of personnel needed to perform removal of human remains.
    • Knowledge of regulations and process of embalming.
    • Knowledge of regulations pertaining to the sale of funeral goods and services.
    • Knowledge of regulations pertaining to using, renting, and selling caskets.
    • Knowledge of religious and cultural customs related to funeral and memorial services.
    • Knowledge of cremation regulations and process.
    • Knowledge of third-party provided services and equipment for funerals (e.g., dove release, gun salute).
    • Knowledge of types of funeral and memorial services.
    • Knowledge of funeral goods and services.
    • Knowledge of types of interments.
    • Knowledge of methods to coordinate cemetery and funeral events with services from multiple contributors and vendors.
    • Knowledge of veteran-related funeral and memorial benefits and services.
    • Knowledge of methods to discuss the process and definition of embalming with consumers.
    • Knowledge of legal requirements to disclose known document fees (e.g., death certificate fees).
    • Knowledge of information required to complete disposition permits.
    • Knowledge of legal requirements pertaining to issuance and use of permits for disinterment.
    • Knowledge of regulations regarding disinterment and removal of human remains from locations of interment.
    • Knowledge of financial resources available for services and interment.
    • Knowledge of health care systems’ functioning and processes related to the death of decedent to aid in the process of funeral arranging.
    • Disposition Coordination (6% of examination)
    • Schedule funeral services in accordance with consumer requests to meet their disposition preferences and customs.
    • Transfer human remains between locations by providing or coordinating the provision of transportation.
    • Knowledge of methods to describe disposition services to consumers.
    • Knowledge of legal requirements regarding transportation of human remains.
    • Knowledge of methods to transport human remains between locations.
    • Knowledge of legal requirements regarding forwarding and receiving human remains (e.g., transit permit, container specs, disposition permits).
    • Knowledge of standards of cleanliness and sanitation for vehicles used to transport human remains.
Examination sources