The role of a mortician in Tennessee combines the technical skill of embalming with the compassionate service of funeral directing. This profession requires a deep understanding of public health standards, restorative arts, and the sensitive process of grief management. Individuals seeking this license must navigate a structured process overseen by the Tennessee Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers (the Board). This guide details the specific educational, practical, and administrative steps mandated by the state for licensure.
Meeting Basic Eligibility Requirements
Aspiring morticians must satisfy several foundational prerequisites before beginning formal training. An applicant must be at least 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) equivalent. These requirements are established in the Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.), which governs the initial qualifications for the profession.
The Board mandates that candidates be of good moral character, requiring applicants to disclose any felony or misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude. They must provide a written statement explaining the circumstances and official documentation demonstrating the resolution of the charge. Prospective licensees must also be properly protected against communicable diseases.
Completing Formal Education
Licensure requires a specific academic commitment focused on mortuary science. The Tennessee Board requires embalmers to obtain an Associate of Arts degree by successfully completing a mortuary science program consisting of at least 60 semester hours. Funeral directors must also complete a program of study in Funeral Service Education consisting of at least 30 semester hours.
The program must be accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE). This accreditation ensures the curriculum covers necessary technical and theoretical subjects, which typically include restorative art, pathology, chemistry, microbiology, and mortuary law. The coursework is designed to prepare students for both technical preparation and administrative duties.
The Required Apprenticeship Phase
Following formal education, applicants must complete a practical training period known as an apprenticeship under the direct supervision of a Tennessee-licensed professional. This phase is designed to provide hands-on experience and apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios.
For those seeking an embalmer license, the requirement is a one-year apprenticeship if they have completed the mortuary science degree. During this time, the apprentice must be a bona fide paid employee of an establishment, working no less than 32 hours per week. This full-time commitment is designed to integrate the apprentice into the daily operations of the funeral home.
The apprentice must register with the Board upon beginning this phase; this registration is valid for three years. Throughout the apprenticeship, the apprentice must submit quarterly training reports on a form prescribed by the Board. These reports must be received no later than 60 days following the last day of the quarter for which credit is sought.
Passing Licensing Examinations
After completing education and apprenticeship requirements, the applicant must successfully pass two separate licensing examinations. The first is the National Board Examination (NBE), administered by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards (ICFSEB). The NBE tests general knowledge of mortuary science; embalmer applicants typically take the Science section, and funeral director applicants take the Arts section.
The second examination is the Tennessee State Law Examination, which focuses on the state’s statutes, rules, and regulations governing funeral service. This exam is administered by a testing agency approved by the Board. Both examinations require a passing score of 75%.
Applying for Your Tennessee License
The culmination of the process is the formal application to the Board. This administrative step requires compiling all documentation that proves the successful completion of the prior steps. The applicant must submit proof of ABFSE-accredited education, documentation of the completed apprenticeship, and official passing scores for the NBE and the Tennessee Laws, Rules, and Regulations Examination.
The application for licensure must be fully completed within 90 days of the Board’s initial receipt, or the incomplete file will be closed. The passing score for the state-specific Law, Rules, and Regulations Examination is valid for only one year, meaning the full application and all supporting documents must be filed within that one-year period. Upon approval, the applicant pays the appropriate licensing fees, which are $435 for a new license.
Maintaining and Renewing Your License
Once issued, the license requires adherence to ongoing professional obligations. Tennessee licenses for funeral directors and embalmers renew every two years. Licensees must complete a minimum of 10 hours of continuing education (CE) coursework during each two-year period.
Five of the 10 required CE hours must be attended in person or through an interactive virtual program that confirms the participant’s presence. All continuing education courses must be approved by the Board, and no CE hours can be carried over to the next licensing period. The biennial renewal fee is $235 for each license.