BECOMING LICENSED IN TEXAS
There are two paths to becoming a licensed funeral director/embalmer in Texas. The first path requires a person to go through the Texas Funeral Service Commission’s (Commission/TFSC) provisional licensing program. This program allows an individual to get practical experience under the direct and personal supervision of a Texas licensed funeral director/embalmer. The second path is to reciprocate an active license from another state.
All licensed funeral directors/embalmers must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Graduated from an accredited high school or passed GED
- Graduated from an accredited school or college of mortuary science
- Successfully completed the provisional licensing program (unless reciprocating from another state)
- Successfully completed the National Board Exam(s) and the Texas Mortuary Law Exam (passing grade of 75%)
MILITARY LICENSING
If you are a Military Service Member, Military Veteran, or Military Spouse, the Texas Funeral Service Commission sincerely honors your service and sacrifice to our Nation. Please contact TFSC for expedited licensing requirements.
PROVISIONAL LICENSE PROGRAM
State law and Commission rule require Provisional License Applicants to meet the following guidelines:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have graduated or enrolled in an accredited school or college of mortuary science (*see below)
- Be employed and under the direct instruction and supervision of the funeral-director-in-charge (FDIC) and/or embalmer-in-charge (EIC) during the entirety of the provisional program
- Submit to an FBI Criminal Background check
- Successfully pass the Texas Mortuary Law Exam prior to provisional licensure
- Comply with the requirements of Occ. Code, Chapter 651 and the Rules of the Commission
Use the expedited/secure online application payment process to apply for the provisional license(s)
- EXPEDITED/SECURE ONLINE APPLICATION/PAYMENT PROCESS. Click here and set up your free online account: https://vo.licensing.hpc.texas.gov/datamart/mainMenu.do
- After setting up your account, you will be able to apply for the provisional license(s); upload the required documents; and pay the required application fees
STATE LAWS AFFECTING FUNERAL INDUSTRY
2024 Compilation of Relevant Texas State Laws
APPLYING FOR A PROVISIONAL EDUCATIONAL WAIVER
A person who has never applied to an accredited school or college of mortuary science, may apply for an "Education Waiver" and receive a provisional license for a period of 12 months before enrolling into an accredited mortuary college. However, the Texas Funeral Service Commission will not renew the license until the licensee submits an enrollment letter from an accredited school or college of mortuary science.
Provisional Educational Waiver FD Application
Provisional Educational Waiver EMB Application
An applicant who wishes to apply for both a provisional funeral director license and provisional embalmer license must submit both applications. The provisional license issued will indicate if the person is in the Provisional Funeral Director or Provisional Embalmer program. A provisional licensee who is in both programs will receive two licenses.
Important Form for Provisional Licensees: If the provisional licensee must change place(s) of employment, the licensee must complete the following form and submit to the Commission.
Provisional Licensee Form to Change/Add Employment
Until the licensee submits all required administrative paperwork and the Commission reviews all submitted documents, the Licensee must REMAIN on provisional status as long as the license has not expired.
RECIPROCAL LICENSE PROGRAM
A person can become a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer through a reciprocal licensing program. The Texas Funeral Service Commission may award a Funeral Director, Embalmer, or Dual license to individuals who are licensed in good standing in another state. For those states with substantially similar licensing requirements to Texas, the applicant must show verification of holding the license in the currently licensed state for a minimum of one year. For those states that do not have similar licensing requirements, the Texas Funeral Service Commission may award the Texas license after the applicant shows verification of holding the license in his/her current licensed state for a minimum of five years.
Applicants must complete the application packet, successfully pass the Mortuary Law Exam and submit to an FBI Background check.