Funeral Director / Embalmer / North Carolina
2026 data North Carolina board official source

North Carolina Funeral Director / Embalmer License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Manages funeral services. Licensed in all 50 states.

What the North Carolina data shows for Funeral Director / Embalmers

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

The initial price tag is $75 every 2 years. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in North Carolina, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

North Carolina 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 · North Carolina

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 North Carolina

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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