Funeral Director / Embalmer / Iowa
2026 data Iowa board official source

Iowa Funeral Director / Embalmer License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

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

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Manages funeral services. Licensed in all 50 states.

What the Iowa data shows for Funeral Director / Embalmers

Iowa 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 Iowa's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Cosmetology School".

Upfront cost is $75 on a 2-year cycle. Iowa doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

Iowa evaluates out-of-state credentials case-by-case rather than through a published reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

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

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 Iowa

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Funeral Director / Embalmer in Iowa? ▼
In Iowa, 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 Iowa? ▼
Iowa licenses funeral director / embalmers who complete its requirements (1500 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Iowa licensing board.
Can I transfer my Funeral Director / Embalmer license to Iowa from another state? ▼
Iowa doesn't publish a standing reciprocity policy for funeral director / embalmers; each out-of-state application is reviewed on its own merits. Some professions fall under interstate compacts that ease portability regardless. The Iowa licensing board can confirm what applies to your case.
Does Iowa require a background check for Funeral Director / Embalmer licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for funeral director / embalmer licensing in Iowa. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.

Related Guides

What to do with this funeral director / embalmer license

Funeral Director / Embalmer in Iowa 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 Iowa 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.