2026 data Maine board official source

Maine Funeral Director / Embalmer License Requirements

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

Manages funeral services. Licensed in all 50 states.

What the Maine data shows for Funeral Director / Embalmers

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

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

Maine 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 · Maine

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 Maine

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 Maine licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

What to do with this funeral director / embalmer license

Funeral Director / Embalmer in Maine 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 Maine 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.