2026 data Hawaii board official source

Hawaii Funeral Director / Embalmer License Requirements

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

Manages funeral services. Licensed in all 50 states.

What the Hawaii data shows for Funeral Director / Embalmers

To practice as a funeral director / embalmer in Hawaii, the state licensing board requires 1,500 documented education or training hours, a passing score on a state-approved exam. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. The regulation sits under Hawaii's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Cosmetology School".

The initial price tag is $75 every 2 years. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Hawaii, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

Hawaii handles out-of-state credentials on a case-by-case basis instead of a standing reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
53/100
Funeral Director / Embalmer · Hawaii

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 Hawaii

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
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Hawaii licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Funeral Director / Embalmer in Hawaii?
In Hawaii, the license path calls for 1500 education/training hours, a passing exam score, and a $75 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Funeral Director / Embalmer in Hawaii?
Hawaii licenses funeral director / embalmers who complete its requirements (1500 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Hawaii licensing board.
Can I transfer my Funeral Director / Embalmer license to Hawaii from another state?
There's no published blanket reciprocity rule for funeral director / embalmers in Hawaii - applications from other states are reviewed individually. Interstate licensing compacts cover many occupations and may still apply. Reach out to the Hawaii licensing board for the current process.
Does Hawaii require a background check for Funeral Director / Embalmer licensing?
Hawaii does require a background check before issuing a funeral director / embalmer license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.

What to do with this funeral director / embalmer license

Funeral Director / Embalmer in Hawaii 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 Hawaii 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.