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Vermont Funeral Service — Requirements & Free Practice

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Funeral Director

License to engage in the business of funeral director.

Licensing authority: office of professional regulation · Application information

Alternative apprenticeship
Vermont “Laws, Rules and Regulations” Examination
Apprenticeship
Complete an OPR-approved apprenticeship at a Vermont-licensed funeral establishment under a qualified licensed supervisor.
Conference exam waiver
The adopted alternative rule expressly permits qualification without formal funeral-service schooling or the CFSEB examination.
Continuing education
Earn ten hours of live professional continuing education in the company of practicing Vermont licensees and demonstrate active professional and civic engagement during the preparatory program.
Course focus
Demonstrate that coursework has a clear and dominant focus on the rule’s subjects; the Director may request syllabi or other supporting evidence.
Credits
Earn at least 26 collegiate or CLEP credits in the preceding ten years in death and dying psychology, human biology, ethics, comparative religion, financial accounting, communication, conflict resolution or mediation, and business law.
Director specified written slot
Alternative-path paragraph (f) requires a Director-specified written examination addressing mortuary science, funeral practice and funeral-industry law. The current application identifies the Vermont law examination; any further examination in the generic slot is not independently named and remains a condition.
Experience
Document at least 50 dispositions and the practical funeral-director functions and competencies enumerated in paragraphs (e)(1)–(2) of the alternative rule.
Fee
Submit the online application, nonrefundable fee, apprenticeship affidavit and transcripts directly from the educational institution.
Prior approval
Apply for OPR approval of the preparatory program before participation.
Supervisor
The supervisor must have at least three years of practice and be in good standing, submit timely, accurate and complete OPR evaluations, and comply with any Director-imposed apprentice limit.
Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Upload proof of ten approved continuing-education hours per license; newly licensed persons within the applicable initial-period exception are not required to submit continuing education until the first full period.
Renewal
Submit online renewal and pay the nonrefundable biennial renewal fee before the printed expiration date.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Endorsement
Application fee
Submit an online application and the nonrefundable fee.
License held
Hold a current license in good standing in another jurisdiction with substantially equivalent standards and qualifications.
License history
The applicable profession’s Rule 3.3 requires three years of holding that license; the current ordinary-endorsement checklist does not state the duration.
Preparation waiver
26 V.S.A. § 1252 permits waiver of educational and traineeship requirements for an applicant with a valid other-state license and substantially similar licensure requirements.
Prior exam passage
Rule 3.5 requires evidence of passing the Conference examination. Passage before applying remains examination involvement; the applicant need not necessarily retake a previously passed examination.
State law exam
Complete the Vermont law examination; OPR approval is given when otherwise qualified.
Transcripts
Provide ABFSE-accredited or approved education verification or official transcripts directly from the institution.
Verification
Arrange official verification of initial and most recent licensure directly from the issuing authorities; the checklist also accepts uploaded online verifications.
Examination
Alternative examination approval
Rule 3.5 permits the Office to approve a subsequent or alternative licensing examination; an unnamed alternative is an applicant condition, not an additional identified examination.
Experience application checklist
January 2026 application instructions require a traineeship including 30 funerals and an Affidavit of Experience.
Fee and application
Submit the online application and nonrefundable application fee.
Fee waiver discretion
3 V.S.A. § 129(a)(9) permits discretionary fee waiver for pro bono services or services satisfying Board standards.
Owner experience table
The Conference’s 2025 Vermont licensing table states 50 case reports; the January 2026 state application instead specifies 30 funerals. The current state application governs submission, and the older owner-table figure remains disclosed as a condition.
Professional education
Graduate from an ABFSE-accredited or approved two-academic-year funeral-service course, or one academic year or the Director’s equivalent plus 30 approved college/university credits.
Score delivery
Scores must be sent directly by the examining agency; OPR approves the Vermont law examination when otherwise qualified.
Secondary education
Hold a high school certificate or its equivalent (26 V.S.A. § 1252).
Traineeship
Complete 12 months of full-time supervised traineeship, or its equivalent, within a licensed funeral establishment not connected with a school; verify duration and work by affidavit.
Fast track endorsement
Fee
Online application and nonrefundable fee.
Practice and license
Show at least three years of active licensure or certification in good standing preceding application; 3 V.S.A. § 136a requires an endorsement process based on no more than three years of practice, regardless of substantially similar licensing standards.
Practice waiver
The Director may waive the profession’s practice requirement when State policy and public protection support it under 3 V.S.A. § 136a(c).
Prior exam evidence
Rule 3.5 requires evidence of the Conference examination and the Vermont law examination; the January 2026 Fast Track Endorsement checklist names only the Vermont law examination. This omission does not waive the governing rule’s examination requirement.
Verification
Obtain direct official verification showing continuous good standing for the preceding three years; uploaded online verification is acceptable under the checklist.
Foreign qualifications
Evaluation cost
The applicant pays the credential-evaluation costs.
Evaluation review
The Director may verify the accuracy and sufficiency of the report and address insufficiency or preliminarily deny the application.
Foreign preparation
Obtain a credential evaluation through an accepted CES; equivalent education or other qualifications substitute for the corresponding United States qualifications.
Partial equivalence
Complete and document any outstanding Vermont qualifications identified by a partial-equivalence report.
Professional exams
Foreign Credentials Rule 5-1(b) requires the examinations in this profession’s statutes and rules; another country’s examinations are evidence of preparation only.
Standard conditions
Satisfy applicable high school, professional education, supervised experience, application fee and direct score-delivery requirements in 26 V.S.A. § 1252 and the January 2026 application.
Military spouse expedited endorsement
Endorsement conditions
Provide applicable endorsement license verification, preparation evidence, direct exam scores and fees; exam passage may precede the application.
Expedition
3 V.S.A. § 123(g) requires expedited license issuance; it does not itself waive this profession’s identified examinations.
License held
Hold a license in good standing in another regulatory jurisdiction.
Military spouse
Accompany a spouse who is a U.S. Armed Forces member transferred to Vermont, and have left employment to accompany that spouse.
Qualification recognition
Military education, training and service may receive appropriate recognition toward professional requirements.
Reinstatement within one biennium
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
License lapse
The license expired for not more than one biennial period.
Penalty
Pay the nondisciplinary reinstatement penalty specified in 3 V.S.A. § 127(d), subject to statutory hardship relief and active-duty exemptions.
Renewal conditions
Meet professional renewal requirements, including applicable continuing education, and pay the renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal after absence under five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Absence
Fewer than five years of absence from practice.
Application and fees
Submit the reinstatement/renewal application and applicable renewal and reinstatement fees.
Readiness
Under 3 V.S.A. § 135(a), readiness is inferred from the continuing education that continuous licensure would have required, or a less burdensome showing allowed by rule or the Director, notwithstanding contrary law.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Return after five year absence
Absence
At least five years of absence from practice.
Director determination
3 V.S.A. § 135(b) permits the Director to find retained professional competencies and issue an unencumbered license, or to require reexamination or reapplication like a new applicant.
Identified exam involvement
The initial-route examinations are retained because the statute expressly permits reapplication as a new applicant; actual reexamination or waiver is applicant-specific.
Preparation
Fulfill the preparation and experience requirements applicable to the new-application pathway if the Director orders reapplication.
Unnamed reexamination slot
Any examination the Director orders without identifying a real examination is a condition, not an invented examination identity.

Funeral Director Apprentice Registration

OPR registration/approval of the alternative preparatory apprenticeship, not authorization for independent licensed practice.

Licensing authority: office of professional regulation · Application information

Approved apprenticeship initiation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Approval
Submit the OPR initiation form and obtain approval of the preparatory apprenticeship.
Supervision
Approved supervised practice only; examinations occur on the later full-license application, not on initiation approval.
Training plan
Identify apprentice, licensed supervisor and licensed establishment; provide the required competency training and supervision plan.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Vermont Emergency Temporary License

Temporary license during a declared state of emergency for qualifying licensees from other jurisdictions or approved-program graduates when licensing examinations are not reasonably available.

Licensing authority: Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation · Application information

Graduate exams unavailable
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Declared emergency
Issuance requires a declared state of emergency and the Director’s exercise of the statutory authority.
Duration
Ends at emergency termination or ninety days, whichever occurs first; it may be reissued if the declared emergency lasts longer.
Fees
Statutory fees are waived for this emergency license.
Preparation
Graduate of an approved education program during a period when licensing examinations are not reasonably available.
Standing
Remain in good standing.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensed professional
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Declared emergency
Issuance requires a declared state of emergency and the Director’s exercise of the statutory authority.
Duration
Ends at emergency termination or ninety days, whichever occurs first; it may be reissued if the declared emergency lasts longer.
Existing license
Currently licensed in good standing and not subject to disciplinary proceedings in another jurisdiction.
Fees
Statutory fees are waived for this emergency license.
Standing
Remain in good standing.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Honorary Funeral Director License

An honorary license may be granted for outstanding service to a profession at the board’s discretion and confers no right or privilege to practice in the state.

Licensing authority: Office of Professional Regulation · Application information

Outstanding professional service
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Practice privilege
The honorary license confers no right or privilege to practice in Vermont.
Service
Demonstrate outstanding service to the profession; award is discretionary.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Provisional Funeral Director License

Professional form authorized by the generally applicable OPR statute; individual issuance is discretionary.

Licensing authority: office of professional regulation · Application information

Active duty or spouse
Agreement
Agree to expedited entry without ordinary licensure procedural rights and summary withdrawal on application inconsistency or inaccuracy.
Duration
Ninety days, extendable by the Director if the reason for provisional status remains unresolved.
Full licensure
Complete a full-license application and attest facts consistent with full licensing requirements, standing, criminal and disciplinary history. Previously passed currently offered professional examinations remain involved.
Military assignment
The applicant is an active-duty U.S. Armed Forces member assigned to Vermont or that member’s spouse.
Underlying pathway
Applicant qualifies on the conventional school, endorsement or equivalent-preparation full-license pathway; Conference exam evidence remains involved.
Active duty or spouse alternative preparation
Vermont “Laws, Rules and Regulations” Examination
Agreement
Agree to expedited entry without ordinary licensure procedural rights and summary withdrawal on application inconsistency or inaccuracy.
Duration
Ninety days, extendable by the Director if the reason for provisional status remains unresolved.
Full licensure
Complete a full-license application and attest facts consistent with full licensing requirements, standing, criminal and disciplinary history. Previously passed currently offered professional examinations remain involved.
Military assignment
The applicant is an active-duty U.S. Armed Forces member assigned to Vermont or that member’s spouse.
Underlying pathway
Applicant has completed the OPR-approved alternative preparatory program and apprenticeship under 26 V.S.A. § 1252(a)(3) or (b)(3); that rule expressly replaces formal funeral schooling and CFSEB passage.
Pending license verification
Agreement
Agree to expedited entry without ordinary licensure procedural rights and summary withdrawal on application inconsistency or inaccuracy.
Duration
Ninety days, extendable by the Director if the reason for provisional status remains unresolved.
Full licensure
Complete a full-license application and attest facts consistent with full licensing requirements, standing, criminal and disciplinary history. Previously passed currently offered professional examinations remain involved.
Underlying pathway
Applicant qualifies on the conventional school, endorsement or equivalent-preparation full-license pathway; Conference exam evidence remains involved.
Verification pending
Verification of an otherwise qualifying license in another jurisdiction is the only outstanding deficiency; all other full-licensure requirements are met.
Pending license verification alternative preparation
Vermont “Laws, Rules and Regulations” Examination
Agreement
Agree to expedited entry without ordinary licensure procedural rights and summary withdrawal on application inconsistency or inaccuracy.
Duration
Ninety days, extendable by the Director if the reason for provisional status remains unresolved.
Full licensure
Complete a full-license application and attest facts consistent with full licensing requirements, standing, criminal and disciplinary history. Previously passed currently offered professional examinations remain involved.
Underlying pathway
Applicant has completed the OPR-approved alternative preparatory program and apprenticeship under 26 V.S.A. § 1252(a)(3) or (b)(3); that rule expressly replaces formal funeral schooling and CFSEB passage.
Verification pending
Verification of an otherwise qualifying license in another jurisdiction is the only outstanding deficiency; all other full-licensure requirements are met.

Temporary Renewal Funeral Director License

A board may grant a temporary renewal license pending completion of required continuing education and may require a corrective action plan completed within 90 days.

Licensing authority: Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation · Application information

Continuing education corrective plan
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
The Office may grant temporary renewal pending completion of required continuing education and may require a corrective action plan completed within ninety days.
Existing license
Existing professional license is being renewed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Disposition Facility License

License to operate a disposition facility.

Licensing authority: Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation · Application information

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Renewal
Renew biennially by submitting the online renewal and required fee before the license’s printed expiration date.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Business registration
Provide business-name registration evidence.
Facility description
Provide structure and equipment details and all applications or State permits for operation.
Responsible manager
Designate a responsible manager or co-owner registered as disposition facility personnel.
Sworn application
Submit the prescribed sworn application, licensing information and fee, subject to the statutory duplicate-fee exception.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement within one biennium
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Lapse
The credential expired for no more than one biennial period.
Penalty
Pay the nondisciplinary reinstatement penalty in 3 V.S.A. § 127(d), subject to statutory relief and military exemptions.
Renewal requirements
Meet the applicable renewal requirements and pay the renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal after absence under five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Absence
Fewer than five years of absence from practice.
Application and fee
Meet the profession’s renewal requirements, apply and pay applicable fees.
Readiness
3 V.S.A. § 135(a) establishes readiness through continuing education that continuous licensure would require or a less burdensome showing permitted by rule or the Director.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Disposition Facility Personnel Registration

Registration for personnel handling, processing, identifying, cremating, or performing alkaline hydrolysis or natural organic reduction of dead human remains within a licensed disposition facility.

Licensing authority: Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation · Application information

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Upload proof of an approved three-hour Blood Borne Pathogens course.
Renewal
Renew biennially by submitting the online renewal and required fee before the license’s printed expiration date.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Age
Have attained the age of majority.
Application and fee
Submit the online application and nonrefundable registration fee.
Employment
Be directly employed by a licensed disposition facility.
Training
Current application instructions require a certificate for a three-hour infectious diseases course; 26 V.S.A. § 1252(e) authorizes proof of up to three hours of approved education and training.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement within one biennium
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Lapse
The credential expired for no more than one biennial period.
Penalty
Pay the nondisciplinary reinstatement penalty in 3 V.S.A. § 127(d), subject to statutory relief and military exemptions.
Renewal requirements
Meet the applicable renewal requirements and pay the renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal after absence under five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Absence
Fewer than five years of absence from practice.
Application and fee
Meet the profession’s renewal requirements, apply and pay applicable fees.
Readiness
3 V.S.A. § 135(a) establishes readiness through continuing education that continuous licensure would require or a less burdensome showing permitted by rule or the Director.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Renewal License Pending Continuing Education

Temporary renewal pending required continuing education, with a possible corrective action plan to be completed within 90 days.

Licensing authority: Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation · Application information

Continuing education corrective plan
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
The Office may temporarily renew pending required continuing education and may require a corrective plan completed within ninety days.
Existing registration
Existing registered personnel credential is being renewed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Embalmer

Vermont license to practice as an embalmer.

Licensing authority: Office of Professional Regulation · Application information

Alternative apprenticeship

All of the following:

Apprenticeship
Complete an OPR-approved apprenticeship at a Vermont-licensed funeral establishment under a qualified licensed supervisor.
Conference exam waiver
The adopted alternative rule expressly permits qualification without formal funeral-service schooling or the CFSEB examination.
Continuing education
Earn ten hours of live professional continuing education in the company of practicing Vermont licensees and demonstrate active professional and civic engagement during the preparatory program.
Course focus
Demonstrate that coursework has a clear and dominant focus on the rule’s subjects; the Director may request syllabi or other supporting evidence.
Credits
Earn at least 18 collegiate or CLEP credits in the preceding ten years: introduction to embalming with human biology or anatomy/physiology prerequisite, advanced embalming, embalming clinical, embalming chemistry, sanitary science, and restorative art.
Examiner
The practical examiner must be an OPR-approved institution or Vermont-licensed embalmer, and may not be the apprentice’s direct supervisor or employer.
Experience
Competently embalm or assist in embalming at least 20 human bodies beyond the educational program, including an autopsied individual and a bone/tissue donor; also view a medical-center pathology autopsy.
Fee
Submit the online application, nonrefundable fee, apprenticeship affidavit and transcripts directly from the educational institution.
Prior approval
Apply for OPR approval of the preparatory program before participation.
Supervisor
The supervisor must have at least three years of practice and be in good standing, submit timely, accurate and complete OPR evaluations, and comply with any Director-imposed apprentice limit.
Supervisor exception
In exceptional circumstances the Director may approve supervision by an embalmer practicing and licensed in a state or province bordering Vermont.
Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Upload proof of ten approved continuing-education hours per license; newly licensed persons within the applicable initial-period exception are not required to submit continuing education until the first full period.
Renewal
Submit online renewal and pay the nonrefundable biennial renewal fee before the printed expiration date.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Endorsement
Application fee
Submit an online application and the nonrefundable fee.
License held
Hold a current license in good standing in another jurisdiction with substantially equivalent standards and qualifications.
License history
The applicable profession’s Rule 3.2 requires three years of holding that license; the current ordinary-endorsement checklist does not state the duration.
Practical assessment
Rule 3.5 and the current endorsement checklist require the State Board Practical Examination; its passing authorizes practice only in Vermont.
Preparation waiver
26 V.S.A. § 1252 permits waiver of educational and traineeship requirements for an applicant with a valid other-state license and substantially similar licensure requirements.
Prior exam passage
Rule 3.5 requires evidence of passing the Conference examination. Passage before applying remains examination involvement; the applicant need not necessarily retake a previously passed examination.
State law exam
Complete the Vermont law examination; OPR approval is given when otherwise qualified.
Transcripts
Provide ABFSE-accredited or approved education verification or official transcripts directly from the institution.
Verification
Arrange official verification of initial and most recent licensure directly from the issuing authorities; the checklist also accepts uploaded online verifications.
Examination
Additional state score slot
The January 2026 Embalmer Application Instructions also state: "National Conference Board Examination Scores for the national and State exam." They do not identify a separate State examination beyond the practical and Vermont Laws, Rules and Regulations examinations named in the same checklist; the unresolved generic score slot is a condition.
Alternative examination approval
Rule 3.5 permits the Office to approve a subsequent or alternative licensing examination; an unnamed alternative is an applicant condition, not an additional identified examination.
Experience application checklist
January 2026 application instructions require a traineeship including 30 funerals and an Affidavit of Experience.
Fee and application
Submit the online application and nonrefundable application fee.
Fee waiver discretion
3 V.S.A. § 129(a)(9) permits discretionary fee waiver for pro bono services or services satisfying Board standards.
Owner experience table
The Conference’s 2025 Vermont licensing table states 20 embalming case reports; the January 2026 state application instead specifies 30 funerals. The current state application governs submission, and the older owner-table figure remains disclosed as a condition.
Professional education
Graduate from an ABFSE-accredited or approved two-academic-year funeral-service course, or one academic year or the Director’s equivalent plus 30 approved college/university credits.
Score delivery
Scores must be sent directly by the examining agency; OPR approves the Vermont law examination when otherwise qualified.
Secondary education
Hold a high school certificate or its equivalent (26 V.S.A. § 1252).
Traineeship
Complete 12 months of full-time supervised traineeship, or its equivalent, within a licensed funeral establishment not connected with a school; verify duration and work by affidavit.
Fast track endorsement
Fee
Online application and nonrefundable fee.
Practical rule and checklist
Rule 3.5 states "In addition, embalmers shall take a practical exam." The January 2026 Fast Track Endorsement checklist expressly names only the Vermont Laws, Rules and Regulations Examination; the practical assessment is retained on the rule’s terms.
Practice and license
Show at least three years of active licensure or certification in good standing preceding application; 3 V.S.A. § 136a requires an endorsement process based on no more than three years of practice, regardless of substantially similar licensing standards.
Practice waiver
The Director may waive the profession’s practice requirement when State policy and public protection support it under 3 V.S.A. § 136a(c).
Prior exam evidence
Rule 3.5 requires evidence of the Conference examination and the Vermont law examination; the January 2026 Fast Track Endorsement checklist names only the Vermont law examination. This omission does not waive the governing rule’s examination requirement.
Verification
Obtain direct official verification showing continuous good standing for the preceding three years; uploaded online verification is acceptable under the checklist.
Foreign qualifications
Evaluation cost
The applicant pays the credential-evaluation costs.
Evaluation review
The Director may verify the accuracy and sufficiency of the report and address insufficiency or preliminarily deny the application.
Foreign preparation
Obtain a credential evaluation through an accepted CES; equivalent education or other qualifications substitute for the corresponding United States qualifications.
Partial equivalence
Complete and document any outstanding Vermont qualifications identified by a partial-equivalence report.
Professional exams
Foreign Credentials Rule 5-1(b) requires the examinations in this profession’s statutes and rules; another country’s examinations are evidence of preparation only.
Standard conditions
Satisfy applicable high school, professional education, supervised experience, application fee and direct score-delivery requirements in 26 V.S.A. § 1252 and the January 2026 application.
Military spouse expedited endorsement
Endorsement conditions
Provide applicable endorsement license verification, preparation evidence, direct exam scores and fees; exam passage may precede the application.
Expedition
3 V.S.A. § 123(g) requires expedited license issuance; it does not itself waive this profession’s identified examinations.
License held
Hold a license in good standing in another regulatory jurisdiction.
Military spouse
Accompany a spouse who is a U.S. Armed Forces member transferred to Vermont, and have left employment to accompany that spouse.
Qualification recognition
Military education, training and service may receive appropriate recognition toward professional requirements.
Reinstatement within one biennium
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
License lapse
The license expired for not more than one biennial period.
Penalty
Pay the nondisciplinary reinstatement penalty specified in 3 V.S.A. § 127(d), subject to statutory hardship relief and active-duty exemptions.
Renewal conditions
Meet professional renewal requirements, including applicable continuing education, and pay the renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal after absence under five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Absence
Fewer than five years of absence from practice.
Application and fees
Submit the reinstatement/renewal application and applicable renewal and reinstatement fees.
Readiness
Under 3 V.S.A. § 135(a), readiness is inferred from the continuing education that continuous licensure would have required, or a less burdensome showing allowed by rule or the Director, notwithstanding contrary law.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Return after five year absence
Absence
At least five years of absence from practice.
Director determination
3 V.S.A. § 135(b) permits the Director to find retained professional competencies and issue an unencumbered license, or to require reexamination or reapplication like a new applicant.
Identified exam involvement
The initial-route examinations are retained because the statute expressly permits reapplication as a new applicant; actual reexamination or waiver is applicant-specific.
Preparation
Fulfill the preparation and experience requirements applicable to the new-application pathway if the Director orders reapplication.
Unnamed reexamination slot
Any examination the Director orders without identifying a real examination is a condition, not an invented examination identity.

Vermont Embalmer Apprenticeship

OPR registration/approval of the alternative preparatory apprenticeship, not authorization for independent licensed practice.

Licensing authority: Office of Professional Regulation · Application information

Approved apprenticeship initiation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Approval
Submit the OPR initiation form and obtain approval of the preparatory apprenticeship.
Supervision
Approved supervised practice only; examinations occur on the later full-license application, not on initiation approval.
Training plan
Identify apprentice, licensed supervisor and licensed establishment; provide the required competency training and supervision plan.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Vermont Emergency Temporary License

Temporary licenses during a declared state of emergency are available to qualifying out-of-jurisdiction licensees or approved-program graduates when licensing examinations are not reasonably available.

Licensing authority: Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation · Application information

Graduate exams unavailable
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Declared emergency
Issuance requires a declared state of emergency and the Director’s exercise of the statutory authority.
Duration
Ends at emergency termination or ninety days, whichever occurs first; it may be reissued if the declared emergency lasts longer.
Fees
Statutory fees are waived for this emergency license.
Preparation
Graduate of an approved education program during a period when licensing examinations are not reasonably available.
Standing
Remain in good standing.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensed professional
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Declared emergency
Issuance requires a declared state of emergency and the Director’s exercise of the statutory authority.
Duration
Ends at emergency termination or ninety days, whichever occurs first; it may be reissued if the declared emergency lasts longer.
Existing license
Currently licensed in good standing and not subject to disciplinary proceedings in another jurisdiction.
Fees
Statutory fees are waived for this emergency license.
Standing
Remain in good standing.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Honorary License

Discretionary honorary license for outstanding service to a profession; it confers no right or privilege to practice in the state.

Licensing authority: Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation · Application information

Outstanding professional service
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Practice privilege
The honorary license confers no right or privilege to practice in Vermont.
Service
Demonstrate outstanding service to the profession; award is discretionary.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Provisional Embalmer License

Professional form authorized by the generally applicable OPR statute; individual issuance is discretionary.

Licensing authority: Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation · Application information

Active duty or spouse
Agreement
Agree to expedited entry without ordinary licensure procedural rights and summary withdrawal on application inconsistency or inaccuracy.
Duration
Ninety days, extendable by the Director if the reason for provisional status remains unresolved.
Full licensure
Complete a full-license application and attest facts consistent with full licensing requirements, standing, criminal and disciplinary history. Previously passed currently offered professional examinations remain involved.
Military assignment
The applicant is an active-duty U.S. Armed Forces member assigned to Vermont or that member’s spouse.
Underlying pathway
Applicant qualifies on the conventional school, endorsement or equivalent-preparation full-license pathway; Conference exam evidence remains involved.
Active duty or spouse alternative preparation

All of the following:

Agreement
Agree to expedited entry without ordinary licensure procedural rights and summary withdrawal on application inconsistency or inaccuracy.
Duration
Ninety days, extendable by the Director if the reason for provisional status remains unresolved.
Full licensure
Complete a full-license application and attest facts consistent with full licensing requirements, standing, criminal and disciplinary history. Previously passed currently offered professional examinations remain involved.
Military assignment
The applicant is an active-duty U.S. Armed Forces member assigned to Vermont or that member’s spouse.
Underlying pathway
Applicant has completed the OPR-approved alternative preparatory program and apprenticeship under 26 V.S.A. § 1252(a)(3) or (b)(3); that rule expressly replaces formal funeral schooling and CFSEB passage.
Pending license verification
Agreement
Agree to expedited entry without ordinary licensure procedural rights and summary withdrawal on application inconsistency or inaccuracy.
Duration
Ninety days, extendable by the Director if the reason for provisional status remains unresolved.
Full licensure
Complete a full-license application and attest facts consistent with full licensing requirements, standing, criminal and disciplinary history. Previously passed currently offered professional examinations remain involved.
Underlying pathway
Applicant qualifies on the conventional school, endorsement or equivalent-preparation full-license pathway; Conference exam evidence remains involved.
Verification pending
Verification of an otherwise qualifying license in another jurisdiction is the only outstanding deficiency; all other full-licensure requirements are met.
Pending license verification alternative preparation

All of the following:

Agreement
Agree to expedited entry without ordinary licensure procedural rights and summary withdrawal on application inconsistency or inaccuracy.
Duration
Ninety days, extendable by the Director if the reason for provisional status remains unresolved.
Full licensure
Complete a full-license application and attest facts consistent with full licensing requirements, standing, criminal and disciplinary history. Previously passed currently offered professional examinations remain involved.
Underlying pathway
Applicant has completed the OPR-approved alternative preparatory program and apprenticeship under 26 V.S.A. § 1252(a)(3) or (b)(3); that rule expressly replaces formal funeral schooling and CFSEB passage.
Verification pending
Verification of an otherwise qualifying license in another jurisdiction is the only outstanding deficiency; all other full-licensure requirements are met.

Temporary Renewal License

A board may grant a temporary renewal license pending completion of required continuing education and may require a corrective action plan completed within 90 days.

Licensing authority: Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation · Application information

Continuing education corrective plan
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
The Office may grant temporary renewal pending completion of required continuing education and may require a corrective action plan completed within ninety days.
Existing license
Existing professional license is being renewed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Funeral Establishment License

License to operate a funeral establishment, requiring an application, licensing fee, building permits, and an OPR inspection.

Licensing authority: Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation · Application information

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Renewal
Renew biennially by submitting the online renewal and required fee before the license’s printed expiration date.
Responsible director
Identify an active funeral director in charge in the renewal application.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Building permits
Supply water/wastewater permits and State fire marshal approval.
Inspection
Pass an OPR facility inspection; this is a premises inspection, not an applicant examination.
Responsible director
A manager or co-owner must be a licensed funeral director.
Sworn application
Submit the prescribed sworn application, information required by rule, and licensing fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement within one biennium
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Lapse
The credential expired for no more than one biennial period.
Penalty
Pay the nondisciplinary reinstatement penalty in 3 V.S.A. § 127(d), subject to statutory relief and military exemptions.
Renewal requirements
Meet the applicable renewal requirements and pay the renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal after absence under five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Absence
Fewer than five years of absence from practice.
Application and fee
Meet the profession’s renewal requirements, apply and pay applicable fees.
Readiness
3 V.S.A. § 135(a) establishes readiness through continuing education that continuous licensure would require or a less burdensome showing permitted by rule or the Director.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Limited Services Establishment License

Authorizes disposition services only, excluding embalming, public viewings, gatherings, memorials, funerals, and related ceremonies, under an employed licensed funeral director's oversight.

Licensing authority: Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation · Application information

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Renewal
Renew biennially by submitting the online renewal and required fee before the license’s printed expiration date.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application and fee
Submit the online application and nonrefundable fee.
Consumer disclosure
Every arrangement includes the statutory mandatory written disclosure of the limited service scope.
Facility and business
Provide water/wastewater and applicable State permits, structure and equipment details, and registered business-name/active-status evidence.
Inspection
Pass the Office premises inspection.
Responsible director
A Vermont licensed funeral director employed by the limited services establishment oversees the service.
Scope
Only disposition services; no embalming, public viewing, gatherings, memorials, funerals or related ceremonies.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement within one biennium
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Lapse
The credential expired for no more than one biennial period.
Penalty
Pay the nondisciplinary reinstatement penalty in 3 V.S.A. § 127(d), subject to statutory relief and military exemptions.
Renewal requirements
Meet the applicable renewal requirements and pay the renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal after absence under five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Absence
Fewer than five years of absence from practice.
Application and fee
Meet the profession’s renewal requirements, apply and pay applicable fees.
Readiness
3 V.S.A. § 135(a) establishes readiness through continuing education that continuous licensure would require or a less burdensome showing permitted by rule or the Director.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Disposition Facility License — Natural Organic Reduction Specialty

A specialty explicitly named in OPR’s May 2026 disposition-facility application instructions.

Licensing authority: Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation · Application information

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Base license
Maintain the disposition facility license and specialty authorization.
Renewal
Pay the applicable biennial disposition facility renewal fee under 26 V.S.A. § 1256.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial specialty approval
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Base facility
Meet the disposition facility licensing requirements, including designated registered personnel manager, business registration, structure/equipment description and operating permits.
Fee and application
Submit the online application and nonrefundable fee.
Municipal approval
Upload a municipal letter on letterhead or approved meeting minutes showing review and approval of the Natural Organic Reduction specialty.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement within one biennium
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Lapse
No more than one biennial period expired.
Renewal and penalty
Meet disposition facility renewal requirements and pay applicable renewal and reinstatement penalties.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Removal Personnel Registration

Registration authorizing removal personnel to perform removals only.

Licensing authority: Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation · Application information

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Upload proof of an approved three-hour Blood Borne Pathogens course.
Renewal
Renew biennially by submitting the online renewal and required fee before the license’s printed expiration date.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Age
Have attained the age of majority.
Application and fee
Submit the online application and nonrefundable fee.
Employment
Be directly employed by a licensed funeral establishment, disposition facility, or the University of Vermont for its anatomical gift program.
Scope
Perform removals only; unregistered assistants may accompany registrants when instructed in handling and precautions before the call.
Training
Upload proof of up to three hours of infectious-disease education; Rule 3.4 specifies an approved course of at least three clock hours and permits waiver for sufficient universal-precaution/infectious-disease education or experience.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement within one biennium
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Lapse
The credential expired for no more than one biennial period.
Penalty
Pay the nondisciplinary reinstatement penalty in 3 V.S.A. § 127(d), subject to statutory relief and military exemptions.
Renewal requirements
Meet the applicable renewal requirements and pay the renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal after absence under five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Absence
Fewer than five years of absence from practice.
Application and fee
Meet the profession’s renewal requirements, apply and pay applicable fees.
Readiness
3 V.S.A. § 135(a) establishes readiness through continuing education that continuous licensure would require or a less burdensome showing permitted by rule or the Director.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Renewal License

Licensing authority: Office of Professional Regulation · Application information

Continuing education corrective plan
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
The Office may temporarily renew pending required continuing education and may require a corrective plan completed within ninety days.
Existing registration
Existing registered personnel credential is being renewed.

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

Vermont “Laws, Rules and Regulations” Examination

Practice scope

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

  • 26 V.S.A. Chapter 21: Funeral Services
  • 3 V.S.A. Chapter 5: Secretary of State; Professional Regulation
  • 18 V.S.A. Chapter 107: Deaths, Burials, and Autopsies
  • 18 V.S.A. § 9712: Obligations of funeral directors, crematory operators, cemetery officials, procurement organizations, and individuals appointed to arrange for the disposition of the principal’s remains
  • Vermont Board of Funeral Service, Director, and Embalmer Administrative Rules
  • Administrative Rules for Crematory Establishments
  • Rule on Alternative Preparatory Paths for Funeral Directors and Embalmers
  • Administrative Rules for Assessing Professional Credentials Obtained Outside of the United States
  • Procedures for Remote & Hybrid Hearings
  • 3 V.S.A. §§ 801–849: Administrative Procedure Act
  • 1 V.S.A. §§ 310–320: Open Meeting Law and Access to Public Records
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

State Board Practical Examination

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Examination sources