Free Alaska State Mortuary Science Exam Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Alaska State Mortuary Science Exam practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1An Alaska funeral director is asked whether a person may direct funerals for compensation without an individual mortuary-science license. What rule controls?

   1. A. The person must hold an Alaska embalmer or funeral director license
   2. B. A funeral-establishment permit alone authorizes the individual
   3. C. A burial-transit permit authorizes funeral directing
   4. D. A business license alone authorizes funeral directing

   Answer: A

   Explanation: AS 08.42.020(a) states, "A person may not engage in the practice of mortuary science or hold out as being engaged in the practice unless licensed as an embalmer or funeral director by the department." Directing funerals is included in mortuary science, so an individual license is required.

   Reference: Mortuary Statutes and Regulations — AS 08.42.020(a) and AS 08.42.200(3), pages 2 and 4

2. 2How many apprenticeship trainees may an approved mortuary-science sponsor supervise at one time in Alaska?

   1. A. Two
   2. B. One
   3. C. Three
   4. D. Four

   Answer: B

   Explanation: 12 AAC 50.100(b) states that "a sponsor may not supervise more than one trainee at a time."

   Reference: Mortuary Statutes and Regulations — 12 AAC 50.100(b), page 5

3. 3By when must an Alaska death certificate ordinarily be filed?

   1. A. Within one day and before final disposition or removal
   2. B. Within three days and before final disposition or removal
   3. C. Within five days and before final disposition or removal
   4. D. Within ten days and before final disposition or removal

   Answer: B

   Explanation: AS 18.50.230(a) requires filing "within three days after death and before final disposition of the body or removal of the body from the state," subject to special-problem regulations.

   Reference: As 18 50 — AS 18.50.230(a)

4. 4No physician attended the decedent. Under 7 AAC 05.420, who may next sign the medical certification using the apparent cause to the best of that person's knowledge?

   1. A. The cemetery sexton or burial-ground owner
   2. B. Another attendant or a village sub-registrar
   3. C. The funeral director or establishment operator
   4. D. The local registrar or recording magistrate

   Answer: B

   Explanation: 7 AAC 05.420 states, "If a physician was not in attendance, another person in attendance or a sub-registrar shall sign the certification, stating the facts and giving the apparent cause of death to the best of the person’s knowledge."

   Reference: Title 7 AAC — 7 AAC 05.420

5. 5When must an Alaska funeral provider give the arranger the required written statement of costs?

   1. A. When arrangements begin and before selections are made
   2. B. When arrangements end and before goods or services are provided
   3. C. After services begin and before final disposition occurs
   4. D. After final disposition and before the account is closed

   Answer: B

   Explanation: AS 45.45.120 requires the statement "at the time the arrangements are completed and before the time of rendering the service or providing the merchandise."

   Reference: Mortuary Statutes and Regulations — AS 45.45.120 introductory clause, page 8

6. 6A funeral provider receives money for covered preneed merchandise and services. Within what period must the money be deposited in the required trust?

   1. A. Within 24 hours
   2. B. Within three days
   3. C. Within five days
   4. D. Within ten days

   Answer: C

   Explanation: AS 45.50.471(b)(24) requires money or property received for covered arrangements to be deposited "within five days of its receipt" in the required trust.

   Reference: Mortuary Statutes and Regulations — AS 45.50.471(b)(24), page 8

7. 7A person holds only an Alaska funeral director license. Which requested service is outside that license?

   1. A. Supervising a funeral
   2. B. Embalming a dead human body
   3. C. Arranging a funeral service
   4. D. Directing a funeral procession

   Answer: B

   Explanation: AS 08.42.020(a) provides that "A person holding a license as a funeral director may not embalm or restore a dead human body." Embalming therefore requires authority beyond a funeral director-only license.

   Reference: Mortuary Statutes and Regulations — AS 08.42.020(a), page 2

8. 8A funeral director wants department approval to sponsor a funeral director trainee. Which license status is required?

   1. A. An inactive embalmer license
   2. B. A trainee permit from another state
   3. C. An active Alaska funeral director license
   4. D. A funeral-establishment permit without an individual license

   Answer: C

   Explanation: 12 AAC 50.100(a)(1) requires "verification of an active license to practice in this state in the field for which the trainee is seeking licensure."

   Reference: Mortuary Statutes and Regulations — 12 AAC 50.100(a)(1), page 5

9. 9The place of death is unknown, but the body is found in an Alaska registration district. Where is the death certificate filed?

   1. A. The district where the body is found
   2. B. The district of the decedent's last residence
   3. C. Any district selected by the family
   4. D. Only with the state medical examiner

   Answer: A

   Explanation: AS 18.50.230(a) states that when the place of death is unknown, the certificate is filed "in the registration district in which the dead body is found."

   Reference: As 18 50 — AS 18.50.230(a)

10. 10When reviewing a physician's completed cause-of-death entry for compliance, which format does Alaska regulation require?

    1. A. A family-selected description without medical terms
    2. B. A description limited to the mechanism of death
    3. C. A definite medical diagnosis using standard nomenclature
    4. D. A delayed statement issued only after every laboratory report

    Answer: C

    Explanation: 7 AAC 05.430 requires "a definite medical diagnosis of the cause of death, using standard nomenclature," following the state registrar's general instructions.

    Reference: Title 7 AAC — 7 AAC 05.430