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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become licensed as a funeral apprentice?
To become an apprentice, you must be at least 18 years of age, and you must have a high school diploma or GED certificate, according to O.C.G.A. 43-18-50. In order to begin an apprenticeship, you must submit a Funeral Apprenticeship Application. Once the Board approves your application, you will receive a registration card by mail at the funeral establishment where you will apprentice. All mail sent to an apprentice will be mailed to the establishment.
May I begin to serve my apprenticeship while my application is in process?
No, you may not begin to serve an apprenticeship prior to receiving the registration. Apprenticeship hours that are documented on the Apprenticeship Service Report prior to receiving approval by the Board will not be credited toward the apprenticeship.
How can I check on the status of my license application?
You may check the status of your application online.
May I serve an apprenticeship at any establishment?
The apprenticeship must be served at an establishment approved as an apprenticeship site by the Georgia State Board of Funeral Service and under the direct supervision of a licensed embalmer, a licensed funeral director, or both. The apprenticeship registration is issued for a specific funeral establishment and for a specific supervising embalmer, funeral director, or both (O.C.G.A § 43-18-50).
How can I verify that the establishment and the supervisors I want to use are licensed?
You may verify licenses of establishments, embalmers, and funeral directors online.
What is the cost of an apprentice registration?
Please refer to our Fee Schedule for current fees.
How long is the apprenticeship?
A minimum of 3120 hours must be served as an apprentice. The hours of apprenticeship must be served in not less than 18 months.
How long is the formal education?
The formal education at a board-approved school of mortuary science is 18 months.
Do I have to complete mortuary school before applying for an apprentice registration?
You do not have to complete mortuary school before applying for an apprentice registration.
How do I know if the mortuary school I plan to attend is approved by the Board?
The Board accepts mortuary schools that are accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education [Board Rule 250-5-.01 (2) (a) ]
When may I apply for the Georgia Laws and Rules Exam?
You may submit the Application for Funeral Laws and Rules Exam at any time after an application for apprenticeship has been received by the Board office.
When is the next exam?
Exam schedules and information may be reviewed online.
May I serve an apprenticeship while attending a mortuary school?
You may be registered as an apprentice while attending mortuary school; however, you may not count hours of apprentice work while attending school. The 18 months of apprenticeship must be served in addition to the 18 months of school [see O.C.G.A. § 43-18-50 (c) and Board Rule 250-4-.03 (1) ].
Is there a restriction on the number of hours an apprentice can work during a day?
The regular business hours for purposes of serving an apprenticeship are 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. [see Board Rule 250-4-.03 (2) ]
If I am required to sleep overnight at the funeral home to be available during the night, can I count my hours spent at the funeral home overnight?
Hours spent sleeping at the funeral home may not be counted toward the completion of the apprenticeship, even if such hours sleeping occur during the regular business hours [see Board Rule 250-4-.03 (3) ].
How can a funeral home become approved to train apprentices?
Board Rule 250-4-.06 details the requirements for approval as an apprenticeship site. Basically, the establishment must have: An active license; No violations cited in the last three inspections; and Embalmed at least 30 bodies per year for the past 5 years.
What documentation do I need to keep showing that I have completed my apprenticeship?
The Apprentice Service Report is used to document the hours served and bodies serviced during the apprenticeship. The reports should be submitted to the Board office every six months [Board Rule 250-4-.03 (4)], with the last report submitted at the completion of the apprenticeship, regardless of the time completed.
The Affidavit of Assistance in Embalming and the Affidavit of Assistance in Funeral Directing are used to document the required 50 bodies that you have assisted in embalming and directing [Board Rule 250-5-.01 (2) (c) and Board Rule 250-5-.04 (2) (c) ]. These affidavits may be submitted at the completion of the apprenticeship, or they may be submitted along with an application for embalmer and funeral director license.
Who can sign these documents?
Only the supervisor(s) approved by the Board for the apprentice and the funeral director in full and continuous charge are authorized to sign the affidavits and the service reports [Board Rule 250-4-.03 (4) ]. Signatures must be notarized. Reports and/or affidavits signed by anyone other than the supervisor(s) of record with the Board will not be credited toward the completion of the apprenticeship.
Exactly what duties may I perform as an apprentice?
An apprentice may make arrangements with family members for funerals, embalm bodies, and serve during a funeral service; however, an apprentice may only perform these duties while under the direct supervision of the apprentice’s supervising embalmer and funeral director [see Board Rule 250-4-.05 (2) (c) ].
Do I have to be registered as an apprentice to work in a funeral home?
You must be registered as an apprentice to perform duties of making arrangements for funeral services, embalming bodies, and assisting in the directing of funerals (O.C.G.A. § 43-18-3).
What do I do when my supervising embalmer and/or funeral director leaves the funeral home? When a supervising embalmer and/or funeral director leaves the funeral home, the apprenticeship is terminated [O.C.G.A. § 43-18-50 (b) ]. In order to continue with the apprenticeship, a new Funeral Apprenticeship Application must be submitted to indicate a change in supervisor(s). Once the Board approves the change in supervisor(s), the apprenticeship may continue. The apprentice and funeral director in full and continuous charge must make sure that all apprentice service reports and affidavits of assistance in embalming and funeral directing are signed by the former supervisor(s), in order for the apprentice to receive credit for the work performed and the hours served. Failure to notify the Board of a change in supervisor(s) may result not only in loss of credit of time served, but may also result in disciplinary action taken by the Board against the apprentice and the funeral director in full and continuous charge.
What happens to my apprenticeship if I leave my present funeral home to work at another funeral home?
If the apprentice leaves the funeral establishment of record with the Board, the apprenticeship is terminated [O.C.G.A. § 43-18-50 (b) ]. In order to continue with the apprenticeship, a new Funeral Apprenticeship Application must be submitted to indicate a change in apprenticeship site and supervisor(s). Once the Board approves the change, the apprenticeship may continue. The apprentice must make sure that all apprentice service reports and affidavits of assistance in embalming and funeral directing are signed by the former supervisor(s), in order for the apprentice to receive credit for the work performed and the hours served. Failure to notify the Board of a change in apprenticeship site or supervisor(s) may result not only in loss of credit of time served, but may also result in disciplinary action taken by the Board against the apprentice and the funeral director in full and continuous charge.
If I have served as an apprentice in another state, can I transfer my hours from that state to Georgia?
No, the Georgia State Board of Funeral Service does not reciprocate apprenticeship hours.
How long is my apprentice registration valid?
Apprenticeship registrations are valid for two years, expiring on March 31 of even-numbered years (example: 3/31/06), and must be renewed prior to the expiration date. The initial registration may expire in less than two years, due to the relation between the issue date and the expiration date of apprenticeship registrations.
How do renew my licenses?
Licenses may be renewed online from the Board’s website. You will receive a notification from the Professional Licensing Boards Division approximately 60 days prior to the expiration date of the license, which will instruct you on the online procedure. The notification will also instruct you on the procedure for ordering a paper renewal form, should you desire to renew your license by mail. Renewing licenses online is much quicker than renewing by mail, normally with licenses being renewed by the next business day.
How many times can an apprenticeship registration be renewed?
An apprentice may renew the registration up to two times (O.C.G.A. § 43-18-51).
What do I do if I cannot complete my apprenticeship within the two-year registration period?
After the second renewal of an apprenticeship registration, the registration may not be renewed again. If the apprenticeship has not been completed, the apprentice must submit a new Funeral Apprenticeship Application. However, no more than two applications may be approved by the Board for an apprentice [O.C.G.A. § 43-18-54 (c) ].
What do I do if I let my apprentice registration lapse?
When an apprenticeship registration lapses, the apprentice may submit a Funeral Apprenticeship Application to reinstate the registration. The application for reinstatement must be received within one year of the expiration date of the registration [O.C.G.A. § 43-18-54 (c) ]. The apprentice may receive full credit for the amount of time served while previously registered, as long as the registration lapsed due to failure to renew by the expiration date; however, no credit will be given for the time during which the registration was lapsed.
I have misplaced my registration card. How do I obtain a duplicate?
You may submit a written request for a duplicate registration card to the Board office with a $25.00 processing fee. The request should be sent to Georgia State Board of Funeral Service, P.O. Box 13446, Macon, GA 31208.
If my supervising embalmer is a trade embalmer, may I serve my apprenticeship in the various funeral homes for which he performs embalming services?
No, the apprenticeship is registered at a specific funeral establishment and under specific supervisors. If your supervising embalmer is a trade embalmer, your supervisor may supervise your work only at the establishment specified on the application for apprenticeship and approved by the Board [see O.C.G.A. § 43-18-50 (b) and Board Rule 250-4-.05 (2) (a) ].
Does the requirement for continuing education apply to apprentices?
No, the continuing education requirement only applies to licensed embalmers and funeral directors.
What are the qualifications for becoming licensed as a funeral director &/or embalmer?
Please refer to O.C.G.A.§ 43-18-41 for detailed information regarding the requirements for becoming licensed as an embalmer &/or funeral director. Briefly, to become licensed as an embalmer &/or funeral director, you must:
Be at least 18 years of age; Have graduated from a high school or obtained a GED certificate; Have graduated from an accredited college of funeral service; Have completed a minimum of 3120 hours of service as an apprentice; Have passed the National Conference Exam; Have passed the Georgia Laws & Rules Exam.
Do I have to hold both licenses?
You may hold a license as an embalmer without also holding a license as a funeral director; however, in order to become licensed as a funeral director, you must also be licensed as an embalmer [O.C.G.A. § 43-18-41 (c) ].
What is the cost becoming licensed as a funeral director &/or embalmer?
Please refer to our Fee Schedule for current fees.
I am already licensed in another state, and I want to move to Georgia to continue my career. How do I become licensed as a funeral director &/or embalmer in Georgia?
You will need to submit an Application for Embalmer and Funeral Director by Reciprocity.
With what states does Georgia reciprocate licensure?
The Georgia State Board of Funeral Service reciprocates with other states that have licensure requirements that are substantially equal with Georgia’s. In order to determine if your original state of licensure has substantially equal requirements for licensure as Georgia, you should compare the state’s educational requirements, length of apprenticeship, and the number of bodies and funerals on which you are required to assist during the apprenticeship. For Georgia requirements for licensure please refer to Board Rules 250-5-.01 and 250-5-.04.
Is the exam required for reciprocity applicants?
Yes, all applicants must take the Funeral Laws & Rules Exam. [O.C.G.A. § 43-18-42 (1) ]
When is the next exam?
Exam schedules and information may be reviewed online.
When is the next Board meeting?
Board meeting information may be reviewed online.
I have served my apprenticeship. What is the process for getting licensed as a funeral director &/or embalmer?
Once you have completed all the requirements for your apprenticeship, you may submit an Embalmer and Funeral Director Application.
What is the cost of the Georgia Laws & Rules Exam?
Please refer to our Fee Schedule for current fees.
Will I be notified of when I will be scheduled for the exam?
Yes, you will be notified in writing when the Board office schedules you for the exam. You will be notified again approximately 2 weeks prior to the exam by the Professional Licensing Boards Division Exam Section to advise you in more detail concerning the time and location of the exam.
How do I check on the status of my application?
You may check the status of your application online.
How do I verify that my licenses are valid?
You may verify licenses online.
How long do I have to be licensed as a funeral director before I can become the funeral director in full and continuous charge (FDFCC) of a funeral home?
Once you become licensed as a funeral director, you may be approved as the FDFCC of a funeral home. In determining suitability as the FDFCC, the board uses its discretion in reviewing the candidate’s qualifications in accordance with Board Rule 250-6-.08.
Can the funeral director in full and continuous charge have other employment?
It is possible for the FDFCC to have other employment; however, approval of the FDFCC with secondary employment is at the Board’s discretion. The FDFCC must be able to work in the employ of the funeral establishment at least 40 hours per week and be accessible to the community. The Board exercises its discretion in determining the suitability of the proposed FDFCC in accordance with Board Rule 250-6-.08.
Can I be the funeral director in full and continuous charge (FDFCC) at more than one funeral home?
No, a funeral director may be funeral director in full and continuous charge for only one establishment [O.C.G.A. § 43-18-71 (a) (2)].
I am the funeral director in full and continuous charge of a funeral establishment. I plan to leave the employ of the establishment. Do I need to notify the Board of my decision?
Yes, the FDFCC must notify the Board in writing within 5 days of the end of employment with the establishment [Board Rule 250-6-.02 (4) (a) ].
How long do I have to be licensed as a funeral director or embalmer before I can supervise an apprentice?
You must have been licensed as an embalmer &/or funeral director for at least 3 years [Board Rule 250-4-.05 (2) (b) ].
Can I place my license(s) on an Inactive status?
Yes, the Board will allow an embalmer or funeral director license to be placed on Inactive status if certain requirements are met:
The license must be active and in good standing with the Board; The licensee has met the required 10 hours of continuing education for the next licensing period; The licensee will not practice during the period of inactive status.
Please review Board Rule 250-6-.04 for more detailed information regarding Inactive status.
How will I be able to place my license(s) back on Active status?
Briefly, an application to reactivate the license must be submitted to the Board to place a license back on Active status. If the license has been on Inactive status for more than two years, but less than four years, you must also submit proof of obtaining 5 hours of continuing education during the Inactive period. If the license has been on Inactive status for four or more years, you will be required to submit proof of obtaining 10 hours of continuing education, and you will also be required to pass the Funeral Laws & Rules Exam.
Please review Board Rule 250-6-.04 for more detailed information regarding reactivating an Inactive license.
What are the requirements for continuing education for funeral directors and embalmers?
Every licensed embalmer and funeral director must obtain a minimum of 10 hours of continuing education credit during the two-year licensing period. A licensed embalmer or funeral director who became licensed within one year of the expiration date of the initial license is not required to obtain the continuing education hours for the initial license period [Board Rule 250-6-.03 (3) ].
Are there any exemptions from the requirement of Continuing Education?
Exemption from the requirement of continuing education applies to a person with an Inactive license and to a person who has reached the age of 65. The Board may also waive the requirement for continuing education for reasons of hardship, disability, or illness. Please refer to Board Rule 250-6-.03 (3) for more detailed information.
How long are my funeral director and embalmer licenses valid?
All embalmer and funeral director licenses are valid for two years, expiring on March 31 of even-numbered years (example: 3/31/06), and must be renewed prior to the expiration date. The initial license may be valid for less than two years, due to the relation between the issue date of the license and the expiration date.
How do renew my licenses?
Licenses may be renewed online from the Board’s website. You will receive a notification from the Professional Licensing Boards Division approximately 60 days prior to the expiration date of the license, which will instruct you on the online procedure. The notification will also instruct you on the procedure for ordering a paper renewal form, should you desire to renew your license by mail. Renewing licenses online is much quicker than renewing by mail, normally with licenses being renewed by the next business day.
What do I do if I allow my licenses to lapse?
If you allow your licenses to lapse, you will need to submit an Embalmer and Funeral Director Application and indicate that you are applying as a reinstatement of a lapsed license. Approval of a reinstatement application is at the Board’s discretion. If your application for reinstatement of your licenses is received within two years after the expiration date of the licenses, you will need to submit proof that you have obtained the required 10 hours of continuing education during the previous two years (Board Rule 250-5-.10).
What is the cost of reinstating my licenses?
Please refer to our Fee Schedule for current fees.
My licenses lapsed more than two years ago. Can I still reinstate my licenses?
You may submit an Embalmer and Funeral Director Application to reinstate your licenses; however, approval of the application for reinstatement of a lapsed license is at the Board’s discretion. If your licenses have been lapsed for more than two years, you will be required to submit proof that you have obtained the required 10 hours of continuing education during the previous two years, and you will also be required to retake successfully the Funeral Laws & Rules Exam prior to approval by the Board (Board Rule 250-5-.10).
I have misplaced my license. How do I obtain a duplicate?
You may submit a written request for a duplicate license card to the Board office with a $25.00 processing fee per duplicate license requested. The request should be sent to Georgia State Board of Funeral Service, P.O. Box 13446, Macon, GA 31208.
How do I obtain a decorative wall certificate for my office?
You may download the request form for a Decorative Wall Certificate from our website.
Funeral/Crematory Establishment
How do I obtain a license for a funeral establishment or a crematory?
In order to obtain a license for a funeral establishment or a crematory, you must submit an Application for Funeral Establishment license or an Application for Crematory license. If the owner of the establishment is not a licensed funeral director, a licensed funeral director must be identified on the application as the proposed funeral director in full and continuous charge (FDFCC). Once the application is submitted, you should contact the Board office as soon as your proposed establishment is ready for inspection. An inspection with the Professional Licensing Boards Division will contact you to set up an appointment for the initial inspection. You will be notified in writing by the Board office of your appearance time to meet with the Board to consider your application for new establishment at the next scheduled meeting. The owner and proposed FDFCC must appear before the Board prior to approval of the license.
What are the requirements for becoming a funeral director in full and continuous charge?
The funeral director must be a resident of Georgia and must be able to work a minimum of 40 hours per week in the employ of the funeral establishment as funeral director in full and continuous charge. Please review O.C.G.A. § 43-18-71 for further details and for the responsibilities of the FDFCC.
How do I get an inspection of my new facility, in order to complete the process for becoming licensed as a funeral establishment or crematory?
When your facility is ready for inspection, you should contact the Board office to request an appointment for inspection. We will notify our inspector, who will contact you to arrange the inspection. Please be careful to ensure that your facility meets the criteria established by the Board for facility licensure prior to contacting the office to arrange for an inspection. If the facility fails the inspection, an additional fee for reinspections will be required. You may refer to Board Rule 250-6-.06 for criteria for facility licensure.
During an inspection, what does an inspector look for in a funeral establishment?
Board Rule 250-6-.06 details the criteria for facility licensure.
What does an inspector look for during an inspection of a crematory?
Board Rule 250-6-.06 details the criteria for facility licensure.
Are there certain hours that my funeral establishment must be open for business?
Board Rule 250-6-.06 mandates that the establishment must be open and available for inspection between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Does the FDFCC have to be present during the inspection?
Board Rule 250-6-.06 states that the FDFCC does not have to be present for the inspection; however, the establishment must be open during the stated hours.
Do I have to get a separate license for a funeral home and a crematory, or will one license suffice?
The funeral home and crematory must be licensed separately (Board Rule 250-6-.01).
What if the crematory is in the same building as my funeral home?
Even if the crematory is in the same building as the funeral home, the crematory must be licensed separately [O.C.G.A. § 43-18-72(a)].
How can I check on the status of my license application?
You may check the status of your application online.
Do I have to be a licensed funeral director or embalmer in order to own a funeral home or crematory?
No, you do not have to be a licensed funeral director or embalmer to own a funeral establishment or crematory; however, in order to receive an establishment license, you must secure the services of a licensed embalmer and a licensed funeral director, who will be the funeral director in full and continuous charge [O.C.G.A. § 43-18-71 (a)]. The unlicensed owner may not engage in any activity within the establishment that is reserved for licensed embalmers and funeral directors only (O.C.G.A. § 43-18-3).
I have seen the initials “FDFCC.” What do the initials mean?
FDFCC refers to the Funeral Director in Full & Continuous Charge of a funeral or crematory establishment. The FDFCC is responsible for all activities conducted at the funeral establishment.
What are the costs of getting a license?
Please refer to our Fee Schedule for current fees.
How long is a license for a funeral establishment and crematory valid?
Establishment licenses are valid for two years, expiring on June 30 of the odd-numbered year (example: 6/30/2007), and must be renewed prior to the expiration date. The initial license may be valid for less than the full two-year period, due to the time period between the issue date and the expiration date. When do the licenses expire?
Establishment licenses expire biennially on June 30 of the odd-numbered year (example: 6/30/2007) and must be renewed prior to the expiration date.
How will I renew the licenses?
Licenses may be renewed online from the Board’s website. You will receive a notification from the Professional Licensing Boards Division approximately 60 days prior to the expiration date of the license, which will instruct you on the online procedure. The notification will also instruct you on the procedure for ordering a paper renewal form, should you desire to renew your license by mail. Renewing licenses online is much quicker than renewing by mail, normally with licenses being renewed by the next business day.
What is cost of renewing my establishment license?
Please refer to the Fee Schedule for current fees.
What do I do if I allow my establishment license to lapse?
Failure to renew an establishment license by the expiration date will require an Application for Reinstatement of Funeral Establishment License or Application for Reinstatement of Crematory License. Until the license is reinstated, the establishment will not have a license to operate.
How quickly can I get my establishment license reinstated?
A reinstatement application requires the same steps for approval as an initial application for licensure. The completed application and required fees must be received by the Board office; a successful inspection must be performed prior to Board review; and the owner(s) and FDFCC must appear before the Board at the next scheduled meeting. If a further delay is anticipated by the Board, the Board will inform the owner(s) and FDFCC at the meeting.
Can the same funeral director in full and continuous charge (FDFCC) serve both my funeral home and my crematory?
If the funeral establishment and crematory are owned by the same owner(s) and are located on the same property, the same funeral director in full and continuous charge may serve both establishments.
My funeral director in full and continuous charge (FDFCC) has left my establishment. What are my options for staying open until I can appoint another FDFCC?
The establishment owner must notify the Board within 5 days of the departure of the FDFCC. At that time, the owner may either submit an Application for Change of FDFCC, or submit a written request for a 90-day grace period, according to Board Rule 250-6-.02. The Board will consider the request for a grace period at the next scheduled meeting and notify the establishment owner in writing if the grace period is approved. If an application for new FDFCC is submitted, the Board office will notify the establishment owner and proposed FDFCC in writing of their appointment to meet with the Board at the next scheduled meeting.
I am approaching the end of my 90-day grace period, but I still do not have a new FDFCC. What are my options now?
You may request one additional 90-day grace period in order to secure a new FDFCC; however, the second 90-day grace period is at the discretion of the Board, according to Board Rule 250-6-.02. The Board cannot grant more than two 90-day grace periods to a funeral or crematory establishment within the same two-year period beginning with the date of the first grace period.
What is the procedure for notifying the Georgia State Board of Funeral Service that a change of ownership of a funeral establishment or crematory is taking place?
Board Rule 250-6-.02 states that written notification of a change of ownership must be submitted to the Board within 15 days of the change. The written notification must be signed and notarized by both the seller(s) and the purchaser(s) of the establishment.
What is the procedure for getting the name of a funeral establishment or crematory changed?
You may download the Application for Change of Name of Funeral Establishment, or the Application for Change of Name of Crematory.
How does a funeral home get approved by the Board to train apprentices?
Board Rule 250-4-.06 details the requirements for approval as an apprenticeship site. Basically, the establishment must have: An active license; No violations cited in the last three inspections; and Embalmed at least 30 bodies per year for the past 5 years.
How many apprentices can a funeral establishment have?
Board Rule 250-4-.06 states that an establishment may qualify for one apprentice for every 30 bodies it embalms each year. If the establishment embalms less than 30 bodies per year, it may qualify for only one apprentice. While this rule applies to the establishment, please also see Board Rule 250-4-.05, which states that a supervising embalmer or funeral director may supervise no more than four apprentices at one time. |
