How Do I Apply for a Funeral Director License?

Documentation and questions may be submitted by email: plpublic@idph.iowa.gov.

Submit official academic transcripts demonstrating completion of the following requirements. The transcripts must be sent directly to the board office from the educational institution verifying the education.

1. A minimum of 60 hours of college credit as indicated on the transcript from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of a 2.0 or “C” grade point average. The 60 college semester hours will not include any technical mortuary science course;
2. A program in mortuary science from a school accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE);
3. A college course of at least one semester hour or equivalent in current Iowa law and rules covering mortuary science content areas including, but not limited to, Iowa law and rules governing the practice of mortuary science, cremation, vital statistics, cemeteries and preneed service

Foreign-Trained Applicants

1. Provide an equivalency evaluation of their educational credentials by International Education Research Foundation, Inc. The professional curriculum must be equivalent to that stated in these rules. A candidate will bear the expense of the curriculum evaluation.
2. Provide a copy of the certificate or diploma awarded to the applicant from a mortuary science program in the country in which the applicant was educated.
3. Receive a final determination from the board regarding the application for licensure.
4. Successfully complete a college course of at least one semester hour or equivalent in current Iowa law and rules covering mortuary science content areas including, but not limited to, Iowa law and rules governing the practice of mortuary science, cremation, vital statistics, cemeteries and preneed.

The board accepts a certificate of examination issued by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, Inc. (ICFSEB), indicating a passing score on both the arts and sciences portions of the examination.

Note: Applicants licensed prior to 1980 are exempt from showing a passing grade on the national exam.

Evidence of successful completion of an internship that was a minimum of one year under the direct supervision of an Iowa-board certified preceptor and which meets the requirements of IAC 481—901.3.

Note: Applicants that have been previously licensed in another state for more than two years are not required to provide proof of a previous internship.

If applicable, applicants that have previously been licensed, registered or certified in another state, the applicant must meet the following requirements.

• Licensee Name;
• License Number;
• Issue Date;
• Expiration Date;
• License Status; and
• Reference to Any Pending or Past Disciplinary Action.

The verification may be printed from another state licensing board’s website if it contains all of the information noted above. If an online verification is not available, the verification must be sent directly from the licensing board(s).

Note: Applicants who do not meet the requirements for licensure by endorsement may be eligible for a license by verification. For more information about licensure by verification, please refer to IAC 501.1.