Funeral Director / Embalmer / District of Columbia
2026 data District of Columbia board official source

District of Columbia Funeral Director / Embalmer License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Manages funeral services. Licensed in all 50 states.

What the District of Columbia data shows for Funeral Director / Embalmers

District of Columbia sets the entry bar for funeral director / embalmers at 1,500 training hours and a passing score on a state-approved exam. A background check is a standard part of the process. The credential is administered under District of Columbia's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Cosmetology School".

Budget $75 to get started on a 2-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in District of Columbia, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

There's no published reciprocity list here - District of Columbia reviews out-of-state credentials individually.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
53/100
Funeral Director / Embalmer · District of Columbia

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
1,500 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B+
$75
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in District of Columbia

Education / Training Hours
Cosmetology School
1,500 hours
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$75
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Funeral Director / Embalmer All District of Columbia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with District of Columbia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Funeral Director / Embalmer in District of Columbia? ▼
District of Columbia requires 1500 education/training hours, passing an exam, and an initial fee of $75. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Funeral Director / Embalmer in District of Columbia? ▼
To become a licensed funeral director / embalmer in District of Columbia, you must meet the state's requirements including 1500 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the District of Columbia licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Funeral Director / Embalmer license to District of Columbia from another state? ▼
District of Columbia evaluates out-of-state funeral director / embalmer licenses on a case-by-case basis. Many professions are covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability. Contact the District of Columbia licensing board for specific reciprocity details.
Does District of Columbia require a background check for Funeral Director / Embalmer licensing? ▼
Yes, District of Columbia requires a criminal background check as part of the funeral director / embalmer licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this funeral director / embalmer license

Funeral Director / Embalmer in District of Columbia is one requirement row in a funeral director / embalmer-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the District of Columbia licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.