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Iowa Funeral Service — Requirements & Free Practice

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Funeral Director License

License to practice mortuary science, including funeral directing and embalming.

Licensing authority: Iowa Board of Mortuary Science · Application information

First biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Renew online and pay the fee before expiration.
First renewal
First renewal is exempt from continuing education; a license issued within six months before renewal need not renew until the subsequent date.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late renewal during grace period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Grace period
Complete renewal requirements and pay renewal and late fees within the 30-day grace period; applicable continuing-education rules and exemptions remain.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation — inactive more than five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply online and pay reactivation fee.
Competence
Show 48 qualifying continuing-education hours within two years before application, independent study at most 24; complete at least one college semester hour or equivalent in Iowa law; verify all other-jurisdiction licenses and discipline.
Inactive period
More than five years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation — inactive five years or less
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply online and pay reactivation fee.
Competence
Show 24 qualifying continuing-education hours within two years before application, including two hours of Iowa law; verify all other-jurisdiction licenses and discipline.
Inactive period
Five years or less.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Subsequent biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete 24 hours, including two hours of Iowa law and at least 12 hours in person or live interactive; exemptions under 481—902.4 apply. An optional independent-study course posttest is a continuing-education condition, not an identified licensing examination.
Renewal
Renew online and pay before the fifteenth day of the birth month every two years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by endorsement
Application
Apply online, pay the fee, and have official academic transcripts sent directly to the Board (481—901.2(2)).
College credit
At least 60 nontechnical semester hours from a regionally accredited college or university with GPA at least 2.0 or C (481—901.2(1)(a)(1)).
Internship
Complete a minimum one-year full-time internship under an Iowa board-certified preceptor; report at least 25 embalmings and 25 funeral-directing cases plus six- and twelve-month evaluations. First five cases require the preceptor’s physical presence (481—901.3).
Internship exception
The Board application page states: "Applicants that have been previously licensed in another state for more than two years are not required to provide proof of a previous internship."
Iowa law course
Complete at least one college semester hour or equivalent in current Iowa mortuary-science law and rules, including cremation, vital statistics, cemeteries and preneed (481—901.2(1)(a)(3)); this is an educational course.
Mortuary education
Complete an ABFSE-accredited mortuary science program (481—901.2(1)(a)(2)).
National score exception
The Board application page states: "Applicants licensed prior to 1980 are exempt from showing a passing grade on the national exam." This exception is an applicant condition; the currently offered examinations remain references.
Prior license
Applicant is or has been licensed in another jurisdiction; submit the endorsement application and verification from the jurisdiction where most recently licensed, including disciplinary action.
Licensure by endorsement — foreign trained applicant
Application
Apply online, pay the fee, and have official academic transcripts sent directly to the Board (481—901.2(2)).
College credit
At least 60 nontechnical semester hours from a regionally accredited college or university with GPA at least 2.0 or C (481—901.2(1)(a)(1)).
Foreign education
Pay for IERF educational equivalency evaluation, provide the foreign mortuary-science diploma or certificate, receive the Board’s final determination, and complete the Iowa-law course (481—901.2(3)).
Internship
Complete a minimum one-year full-time internship under an Iowa board-certified preceptor; report at least 25 embalmings and 25 funeral-directing cases plus six- and twelve-month evaluations. First five cases require the preceptor’s physical presence (481—901.3).
Internship exception
The Board application page states: "Applicants that have been previously licensed in another state for more than two years are not required to provide proof of a previous internship."
Iowa law course
Complete at least one college semester hour or equivalent in current Iowa mortuary-science law and rules, including cremation, vital statistics, cemeteries and preneed (481—901.2(1)(a)(3)); this is an educational course.
Mortuary education
Complete an ABFSE-accredited mortuary science program (481—901.2(1)(a)(2)).
National score exception
The Board application page states: "Applicants licensed prior to 1980 are exempt from showing a passing grade on the national exam." This exception is an applicant condition; the currently offered examinations remain references.
Prior license
Applicant is or has been licensed in another jurisdiction; submit the endorsement application and verification from the jurisdiction where most recently licensed, including disciplinary action.
Initial licensure by examination
Application
Apply online, pay the fee, and have official academic transcripts sent directly to the Board (481—901.2(2)).
College credit
At least 60 nontechnical semester hours from a regionally accredited college or university with GPA at least 2.0 or C (481—901.2(1)(a)(1)).
Internship
Complete a minimum one-year full-time internship under an Iowa board-certified preceptor; report at least 25 embalmings and 25 funeral-directing cases plus six- and twelve-month evaluations. First five cases require the preceptor’s physical presence (481—901.3).
Iowa law course
Complete at least one college semester hour or equivalent in current Iowa mortuary-science law and rules, including cremation, vital statistics, cemeteries and preneed (481—901.2(1)(a)(3)); this is an educational course.
Mortuary education
Complete an ABFSE-accredited mortuary science program (481—901.2(1)(a)(2)).
Initial licensure — foreign trained applicant
Application
Apply online, pay the fee, and have official academic transcripts sent directly to the Board (481—901.2(2)).
College credit
At least 60 nontechnical semester hours from a regionally accredited college or university with GPA at least 2.0 or C (481—901.2(1)(a)(1)).
Foreign education
Pay for IERF educational equivalency evaluation, provide the foreign mortuary-science diploma or certificate, receive the Board’s final determination, and complete the Iowa-law course (481—901.2(3)).
Internship
Complete a minimum one-year full-time internship under an Iowa board-certified preceptor; report at least 25 embalmings and 25 funeral-directing cases plus six- and twelve-month evaluations. First five cases require the preceptor’s physical presence (481—901.3).
Iowa law course
Complete at least one college semester hour or equivalent in current Iowa mortuary-science law and rules, including cremation, vital statistics, cemeteries and preneed (481—901.2(1)(a)(3)); this is an educational course.
Mortuary education
Complete an ABFSE-accredited mortuary science program (481—901.2(1)(a)(2)).
Full licensure following temporary military license
Completion
Submit records of completing the additional education or training identified by the Board, which then issues the ordinary license (§272C.12A(3)).
Existing temporary license
Hold the temporary military license, having satisfied its prerequisite of previously passing the licensure examinations.
Previously passed current exams
Current NBE examination references are retained from the temporary route’s express passing prerequisite; no additional sitting is asserted.
Initial licensure with military education or training credit
Application
Apply online, pay the fee, and have official academic transcripts sent directly to the Board (481—901.2(2)).
College credit
At least 60 nontechnical semester hours from a regionally accredited college or university with GPA at least 2.0 or C (481—901.2(1)(a)(1)).
Internship
Complete a minimum one-year full-time internship under an Iowa board-certified preceptor; report at least 25 embalmings and 25 funeral-directing cases plus six- and twelve-month evaluations. First five cases require the preceptor’s physical presence (481—901.3).
Iowa law course
Complete at least one college semester hour or equivalent in current Iowa mortuary-science law and rules, including cremation, vital statistics, cemeteries and preneed (481—901.2(1)(a)(3)); this is an educational course.
Military credit
Submit verified military education, training or service and identify the educational or experience requirement to be credited. Credit cannot replace an examination requirement (481—7.2).
Mortuary education
Complete an ABFSE-accredited mortuary science program (481—901.2(1)(a)(2)).
Expedited licensure — veteran or active duty military spouse
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit application, fee, compliance attestation, scope-of-practice statement, and relevant laws; applicant with compact privilege is ineligible (481—501.1).
Board rule statement
481—7.3(1) states: "A veteran or spouse must pass any examinations required for licensure to be eligible for licensure through reciprocity and will be given credit for examinations previously passed when consistent with the licensing authority’s laws and rules on examination requirements." For applicants qualifying under §272C.12, statutory issuance without examination controls; the lower-ranked demand is retained here.
Criminal history
Provide criminal-history and relevant disciplinary records; no criminal history preventing licensure; provide fingerprints and waiver if required (§272C.12(1)(i), 481—501.1(2)).
Discipline
No revocation or surrender while under investigation; prior discipline must be corrected and resolved, and pending unprofessional-conduct matters resolved (§272C.12(1)(e)–(g), 481—501.1(3)–(4)).
Military status
Provide qualifying veteran or active-duty military-spouse status and an unrestricted prior license with substantially similar scope.
Prior examination
Previously passed the issuing jurisdiction’s required examination, if applicable (§272C.12(1)(d)); this slot identifies no specific examination and remains a condition.
Prior license
Current license in at least one issuing jurisdiction with substantially similar scope, in good standing everywhere licensed; original authority verifies minimum education and applicable experience and supervision (§272C.12(1)(a),(c)).
State law authorization
§272C.12(3)(c) preserves authority to require a state-law examination. 481—901.2 specifies a college Iowa-law course and NBE Arts and Sciences; 481—501.1 does not identify a funeral-director state-law examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure under a reciprocal agreement
Application
Apply online, pay the fee, and have official academic transcripts sent directly to the Board (481—901.2(2)).
College credit
At least 60 nontechnical semester hours from a regionally accredited college or university with GPA at least 2.0 or C (481—901.2(1)(a)(1)).
Internship
Complete a minimum one-year full-time internship under an Iowa board-certified preceptor; report at least 25 embalmings and 25 funeral-directing cases plus six- and twelve-month evaluations. First five cases require the preceptor’s physical presence (481—901.3).
Internship exception
The Board application page states: "Applicants that have been previously licensed in another state for more than two years are not required to provide proof of a previous internship."
Iowa law course
Complete at least one college semester hour or equivalent in current Iowa mortuary-science law and rules, including cremation, vital statistics, cemeteries and preneed (481—901.2(1)(a)(3)); this is an educational course.
Mortuary education
Complete an ABFSE-accredited mortuary science program (481—901.2(1)(a)(2)).
National score exception
The Board application page states: "Applicants licensed prior to 1980 are exempt from showing a passing grade on the national exam." This exception is an applicant condition; the currently offered examinations remain references.
Prior license
Applicant is or has been licensed in another jurisdiction; submit the endorsement application and verification from the jurisdiction where most recently licensed, including disciplinary action.
Reciprocal agreement
Applicant currently holds a license in a jurisdiction with a mutual agreement with the Iowa Board and has the same or similar qualifications. This conditional route does not assert that a particular agreement exists. §147.49 recognizes the license subject to the Board’s rules; required proof of previously passed current examinations is retained even if another sitting is excused.
Licensure by verification
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit application, fee, compliance attestation, scope-of-practice statement, and relevant laws; applicant with compact privilege is ineligible (481—501.1).
Criminal history
Provide criminal-history and relevant disciplinary records; no criminal history preventing licensure; provide fingerprints and waiver if required (§272C.12(1)(i), 481—501.1(2)).
Discipline
No revocation or surrender while under investigation; prior discipline must be corrected and resolved, and pending unprofessional-conduct matters resolved (§272C.12(1)(e)–(g), 481—501.1(3)–(4)).
Prior examination
Previously passed the issuing jurisdiction’s required examination, if applicable (§272C.12(1)(d)); this slot identifies no specific examination and remains a condition.
Prior license
Current license in at least one issuing jurisdiction with substantially similar scope, in good standing everywhere licensed; original authority verifies minimum education and applicable experience and supervision (§272C.12(1)(a),(c)).
State law authorization
§272C.12(3)(c) preserves authority to require a state-law examination. 481—901.2 specifies a college Iowa-law course and NBE Arts and Sciences; 481—501.1 does not identify a funeral-director state-law examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure using qualifying work experience
Other requirements
Apply and satisfy licensure requirements not replaced by the Board’s experience determination.
Work experience
Relocate to Iowa from a jurisdiction without licensure requirements; establish Iowa residency and three years of substantially similar work within four years before application. Board-approved experience substitutes for education or training; other requirements and both examinations remain (481—501.2; §272C.13).

Funeral Director Intern Registration

Certificate authorizing supervised practice during the designated internship period.

Licensing authority: Iowa Board of Mortuary Science · Application information

Extension of internship certificate
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board determination
Existing intern requires additional time or supervision to attain minimum proficiency; Board approves the extension.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial intern registration — foreign trained applicant
Foreign education
Intern instructions direct foreign-trained applicants to the Board for educational requirements; record the evaluation, foreign diploma, Board determination and Iowa-law course under 481—901.2(3).
National score exception
The Board application page states: "Applicants licensed prior to 1980 are exempt from showing a passing grade on the national exam." This exception is an applicant condition; the currently offered examinations remain references.
Preceptor
Obtain the approved preceptor and internship certificate and comply with 481—901.3.
Initial intern registration
Education
Complete an ABFSE mortuary-science program, 60 nontechnical college hours with GPA at least 2.0 or C, and one semester hour or equivalent of Iowa mortuary law.
National score exception
The Board application page states: "Applicants licensed prior to 1980 are exempt from showing a passing grade on the national exam." This exception is an applicant condition; the currently offered examinations remain references.
Preceptor
Submit notarized preceptor application and obtain an internship certificate with the permitted period.
Supervision
Full-time supervised practice and case reporting under 481—901.3.
Continuation of an interrupted internship
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Timing
Complete within 24 months of start for ready acceptance. Otherwise obtain Board preapproval; it may require a laws-and-rules course, additional case reports or up to 12 additional months.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Funeral Director License — Military Spouse or Veteran

Temporary authorization while completing additional education or training.

Licensing authority: Iowa Board of Mortuary Science · Application information

Temporary licensure while completing additional education or training
Military status
Qualifying veteran or active-duty military spouse whose prior-license scope is not substantially similar to Iowa must complete education or training identified by the Board.
Prior examinations
481—7.3(5)(a) requires the licensure examinations to have been passed before temporary issuance; currently offered NBE Arts and Sciences remain leaves.
Temporary terms
Board sets duration and protective conditions; deficiencies cannot jeopardize public health, welfare or safety.
Extension of temporary military license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
Hold an existing temporary military license; full-licensure application remains pending while training or education is completed.
Good cause
Board may extend the temporary license case by case for good cause under 481—7.3(5)(d). Existing protective conditions remain.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

National Board Exam Arts

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-Sciences 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. Funeral Arranging and Directing (51 of 150 scored items; 34% of the NBE-Arts blueprint) (34%)
  • II. Funeral Service Marketing/Merchandising (21 of 150 scored items; 14% of the NBE-Arts blueprint) (14%)
  • III. Funeral Service Counseling (19 of 150 scored items; 13% of the NBE-Arts blueprint) (13%)
  • IV. Legal and Regulatory Compliance (35 of 150 scored items; 23% of the NBE-Arts blueprint) (23%)
  • V. Cemetery/Crematory/Other Dispositions (24 of 150 scored items; 16% of the NBE-Arts blueprint) (16%)
Examination sources

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