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

Kentucky 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 Kentucky data shows for Funeral Director / Embalmers

Kentucky's path to funeral director / embalmer licensure runs through 1,500 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a criminal history screening. Kentucky folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Cosmetology School".

Upfront cost is $75 on a 2-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Kentucky, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

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

Licensing Ease Score

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

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 Kentucky

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Funeral Director / Embalmer in Kentucky? ▼
Kentucky 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 Kentucky? ▼
To become a licensed funeral director / embalmer in Kentucky, you must meet the state's requirements including 1500 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Kentucky licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Funeral Director / Embalmer license to Kentucky from another state? ▼
Out-of-state funeral director / embalmer credentials get a case-by-case review in Kentucky rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the Kentucky licensing board.
Does Kentucky require a background check for Funeral Director / Embalmer licensing? ▼
Kentucky 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.

Related Guides

What to do with this funeral director / embalmer license

Funeral Director / Embalmer in Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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.