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Massachusetts Funeral Service — Requirements & Free Practice

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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.

Type 3 — Registered Embalmer and Licensed Funeral Director

Ownership registration for an existing Type 6 who owns at least 10% of the entity operating the establishment.

Licensing authority: Board of Registration in Embalming and Funeral Directing · Application information

Annual renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Renew in eLIPSE; current Board instructions permit renewal 90 days before expiry, while §84 specifies the 30 days preceding expiry.
Continuing Education
Eight hours of Board-approved continuing education per registration period, including at least one hour of OSHA bloodborne-pathogen training; course examinations are training-credit conditions under 239 CMR 5.03(2), not independently identified licensure examinations.
Expiration
Apprentice and assistant licences expire October 20; the renewal page states October 31 for other licences. Section 84 states November 1 termination for non-apprentice certificates.
First Period
The initial registration period is exempt from the general continuing-education hours; bloodborne-pathogen training remains required.
Proof
Maintain continuing-education records for four registration periods and attest under penalties of perjury to completion.
Registration
Hold the relevant registration and apply annually for renewal with the applicable fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Annual renewal of inactive registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Complete the normally required continuing education, with the course assessments remaining training conditions.
Practice
No practice of embalming or funeral directing in Massachusetts while inactive.
Registration
Hold inactive status and annually renew as inactive.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Placement on inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Request inactive status in writing on the Board form.
Maintenance
Renew annually under inactive status and complete normally required continuing education.
Practice
Do not engage in embalming or funeral directing in Massachusetts while inactive.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late renewal within one year
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Renew in eLIPSE; current Board instructions permit renewal 90 days before expiry, while §84 specifies the 30 days preceding expiry.
Continuing Education
Eight hours of Board-approved continuing education per registration period, including at least one hour of OSHA bloodborne-pathogen training; course examinations are training-credit conditions under 239 CMR 5.03(2), not independently identified licensure examinations.
Expiration
Apprentice and assistant licences expire October 20; the renewal page states October 31 for other licences. Section 84 states November 1 termination for non-apprentice certificates.
First Period
The initial registration period is exempt from the general continuing-education hours; bloodborne-pathogen training remains required.
Late Renewal
Apply after the 20-day revival period but within one year of original expiration; §84 requires a penalty of one dollar for each additional week, and the Board fee page lists its late renewal fee.
Proof
Maintain continuing-education records for four registration periods and attest under penalties of perjury to completion.
Registration
Hold the relevant registration and apply annually for renewal with the applicable fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

  • c112-s84

    M.G.L. c.112 §84, renewal and revival through one year

  • 239 CMR 5.00

    239 CMR 5.03(1)-(3), renewal training

  • renewal

    What you need, annual renewal

Type 6 ownership upgrade
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Board form and applicable fee.
Existing Type6
Hold current Type 6 registration.
Ownership
Provide proof of at least 10% ownership in the entity holding the establishment certificate and operating the establishment; for a corporation this is at least 10% of authorised and issued stock, and for a partnership at least a 10% share.
Scope
Type 3 is the ownership registration of an already registered Type 6; the exhaustive upgrade requirements are in 239 CMR 3.02(3).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after lapse exceeding one year

All of the following:

Application
Board Policy 08-01 allows 180 days from application to complete requirements; otherwise appear before the Board for an extension.
Continuing Education
Provide all continuing-education hours required for each lapsed year; under 239 CMR 5.07 the current incomplete registration period is prorated.
Examinations
The state examinations are required under 239 CMR 3.02(6) and the reinstatement policy.
Lapse
Registration has been expired more than one year; meet §83 original-registration provisions and pay accrued penalties and applicable fees.
Ownership
Type 3 applicants must meet the ownership requirements of 239 CMR 3.02(3); Type 6 applicants must meet the applicable employment requirements.
Revival within 20 days after expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Renew in eLIPSE; current Board instructions permit renewal 90 days before expiry, while §84 specifies the 30 days preceding expiry.
Continuing Education
Eight hours of Board-approved continuing education per registration period, including at least one hour of OSHA bloodborne-pathogen training; course examinations are training-credit conditions under 239 CMR 5.03(2), not independently identified licensure examinations.
Expiration
Apprentice and assistant licences expire October 20; the renewal page states October 31 for other licences. Section 84 states November 1 termination for non-apprentice certificates.
First Period
The initial registration period is exempt from the general continuing-education hours; bloodborne-pathogen training remains required.
Late Renewal
Apply within 20 days of expiration and pay the revival and renewal fees under §84.
Proof
Maintain continuing-education records for four registration periods and attest under penalties of perjury to completion.
Registration
Hold the relevant registration and apply annually for renewal with the applicable fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

  • c112-s84

    M.G.L. c.112 §84, renewal and revival through one year

  • 239 CMR 5.00

    239 CMR 5.03(1)-(3), renewal training

  • renewal

    What you need, annual renewal

Type 6 — Registered Embalmer & Funeral Director

Combined registration; funeral directing is practised as an employee of a licensed establishment and requires the local funeral-director licence.

Licensing authority: Board of Registration in Embalming and Funeral Directing · Application information

Annual renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Renew in eLIPSE; current Board instructions permit renewal 90 days before expiry, while §84 specifies the 30 days preceding expiry.
Continuing Education
Eight hours of Board-approved continuing education per registration period, including at least one hour of OSHA bloodborne-pathogen training; course examinations are training-credit conditions under 239 CMR 5.03(2), not independently identified licensure examinations.
Expiration
Apprentice and assistant licences expire October 20; the renewal page states October 31 for other licences. Section 84 states November 1 termination for non-apprentice certificates.
First Period
The initial registration period is exempt from the general continuing-education hours; bloodborne-pathogen training remains required.
Proof
Maintain continuing-education records for four registration periods and attest under penalties of perjury to completion.
Registration
Hold the relevant registration and apply annually for renewal with the applicable fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Registration by endorsement

All of the following:

Age
At least 18 years of age (239 CMR 3.02(2)(a); M.G.L. c.112 §83).
Application
Submit the Board application, applicable fees and required documentation through eLIPSE, including a DOL CORI form; incomplete applications are abandoned after 180 days.
Approval And Oath
Obtain Board approval to schedule with PSI; appear before the Board with a sponsor when affiliated with an establishment and be sworn in under the process effective January 1, 2025.
Character
Evidence of good moral character is expressly required by the endorsement rule.
Citizenship
M.G.L. c.112 §83 states United States citizenship.
Employment
Certify practice as funeral director only in the employ of a Type 3 in a licensed establishment; notify the Board of employment on its approved certification.
Endorsement Petition
Written petition; the Board may permit the Massachusetts examination without further apprenticeship requirements under 239 CMR 3.02(7).
Exam Order
When taking both examinations, schedule Written Practical before Jurisprudence Written.
Local Licence
Funeral directing requires the city or town licence under M.G.L. c.114 §49; Type 6 practice is limited to employment in a licensed establishment.
Mortuary Education
An associate degree in mortuary sciences is expressly required by the endorsement rule.
National Exam History
Board minutes of August 20, 2024 describe the 2016 switch from the National Board Exam to the Massachusetts written practical examination. The current prescribed state examinations are retained.
Out Of State Licence
A valid, good-standing licence/certificate/registration in funeral directing and embalming substantially equivalent to the Massachusetts registration.
Residency
M.G.L. c.112 §83 states residence in Massachusetts.
School
High-school diploma or equivalent.
Initial registration by examination

All of the following:

Age
At least 18 years of age (239 CMR 3.02(2)(a); M.G.L. c.112 §83).
Application
Submit the Board application, applicable fees and required documentation through eLIPSE, including a DOL CORI form; incomplete applications are abandoned after 180 days.
Apprenticeship
At least two years as an apprentice embalmer under personal supervision of a Type 3.
Approval And Oath
Obtain Board approval to schedule with PSI; appear before the Board with a sponsor when affiliated with an establishment and be sworn in under the process effective January 1, 2025.
Character
Provide satisfactory written evidence of good moral character.
Citizenship
M.G.L. c.112 §83 states United States citizenship.
Conferences
Attend at least 25 funeral or pre-need conferences with consumers.
Embalming Experience
Personally embalm at least 50 dead human bodies during apprenticeship.
Employment
Certify practice as funeral director only in the employ of a Type 3 in a licensed establishment; notify the Board of employment on its approved certification.
Exam Order
When taking both examinations, schedule Written Practical before Jurisprudence Written.
Local Licence
Funeral directing requires the city or town licence under M.G.L. c.114 §49; Type 6 practice is limited to employment in a licensed establishment.
Mortuary Education
Associate degree in mortuary science from an ABFSE-accredited programme or Board-determined equivalent; §83 also states approved instruction of at least nine months.
National Exam History
Board minutes of August 20, 2024 describe the 2016 switch from the National Board Exam to the Massachusetts written practical examination. The current prescribed state examinations are retained.
Residency
M.G.L. c.112 §83 states residence in Massachusetts.
School
High-school diploma or equivalent.
Annual renewal of inactive registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Complete the normally required continuing education, with the course assessments remaining training conditions.
Practice
No practice of embalming or funeral directing in Massachusetts while inactive.
Registration
Hold inactive status and annually renew as inactive.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Placement on inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Request inactive status in writing on the Board form.
Maintenance
Renew annually under inactive status and complete normally required continuing education.
Practice
Do not engage in embalming or funeral directing in Massachusetts while inactive.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late renewal within one year
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Renew in eLIPSE; current Board instructions permit renewal 90 days before expiry, while §84 specifies the 30 days preceding expiry.
Continuing Education
Eight hours of Board-approved continuing education per registration period, including at least one hour of OSHA bloodborne-pathogen training; course examinations are training-credit conditions under 239 CMR 5.03(2), not independently identified licensure examinations.
Expiration
Apprentice and assistant licences expire October 20; the renewal page states October 31 for other licences. Section 84 states November 1 termination for non-apprentice certificates.
First Period
The initial registration period is exempt from the general continuing-education hours; bloodborne-pathogen training remains required.
Late Renewal
Apply after the 20-day revival period but within one year of original expiration; §84 requires a penalty of one dollar for each additional week, and the Board fee page lists its late renewal fee.
Proof
Maintain continuing-education records for four registration periods and attest under penalties of perjury to completion.
Registration
Hold the relevant registration and apply annually for renewal with the applicable fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

  • c112-s84

    M.G.L. c.112 §84, renewal and revival through one year

  • 239 CMR 5.00

    239 CMR 5.03(1)-(3), renewal training

  • renewal

    What you need, annual renewal

Reinstatement after lapse exceeding one year

All of the following:

Application
Board Policy 08-01 allows 180 days from application to complete requirements; otherwise appear before the Board for an extension.
Continuing Education
Provide all continuing-education hours required for each lapsed year; under 239 CMR 5.07 the current incomplete registration period is prorated.
Examinations
The state examinations are required under 239 CMR 3.02(6) and the reinstatement policy.
Lapse
Registration has been expired more than one year; meet §83 original-registration provisions and pay accrued penalties and applicable fees.
Ownership
Type 3 applicants must meet the ownership requirements of 239 CMR 3.02(3); Type 6 applicants must meet the applicable employment requirements.
Revival within 20 days after expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Renew in eLIPSE; current Board instructions permit renewal 90 days before expiry, while §84 specifies the 30 days preceding expiry.
Continuing Education
Eight hours of Board-approved continuing education per registration period, including at least one hour of OSHA bloodborne-pathogen training; course examinations are training-credit conditions under 239 CMR 5.03(2), not independently identified licensure examinations.
Expiration
Apprentice and assistant licences expire October 20; the renewal page states October 31 for other licences. Section 84 states November 1 termination for non-apprentice certificates.
First Period
The initial registration period is exempt from the general continuing-education hours; bloodborne-pathogen training remains required.
Late Renewal
Apply within 20 days of expiration and pay the revival and renewal fees under §84.
Proof
Maintain continuing-education records for four registration periods and attest under penalties of perjury to completion.
Registration
Hold the relevant registration and apply annually for renewal with the applicable fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

  • c112-s84

    M.G.L. c.112 §84, renewal and revival through one year

  • 239 CMR 5.00

    239 CMR 5.03(1)-(3), renewal training

  • renewal

    What you need, annual renewal

Jurisprudence Written

Practice scope

Inferred from the examination name; the authority has not published an examination outline.

  • M.G.L. c.112, §§61–65A and 82–87
  • 239 CMR 3.00: Registration Requirements; Standards of Business and Professional Practice
  • 239 CMR 4.00: Pre-need Funeral Contracts and Arrangements
  • 239 CMR 5.00: Continuing Education
  • M.G.L. Chapter 38: Medical Examiners and Inquests
  • M.G.L. Chapter 46: Return and Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths
  • M.G.L. Chapter 114: Cemeteries and Burials
Examination sources

Written Practical

Examination outline
  • Restorative Arts
  • Body Preparation and Mortuary Science
  • Disease Control and Safety Precaution
Examination sources