1. What do I have to do to work as a Funeral Director in Delaware?
2. How do I get a license?
3. What examinations do I have to take?
4. What are the fees to get a license?
5. How long will it take to get a license by reciprocity?
6. Can I begin my resident internship before I finish mortuary school?
7. How long does it take to get a license by resident internship?
8. Can I get a temporary license?
9. What is the continuing education requirement?
10. What do I do if I am applying by reciprocity from a state that issues separate licenses for embalmers and funeral directors?

Question: What do I have to do to work as a Funeral Director in Delaware?

Answer: The Delaware Board of Funeral Services must license you before you practice funeral services in Delaware. This is true even if you are already licensed in another state.

Question: How do I get a license?

Answer: The procedure for licensure differs according to whether you apply by reciprocity or by resident internship. If you are currently licensed in another state and have worked continuously as a funeral director for three of the past five years, see the procedure for applying for reciprocity. However, if you are not currently licensed in another state or if you are currently licensed but have not worked three out of the past five years, you must serve a resident internship. See the procedure for applying by resident internship.

Question: What examinations do I have to take?

Answer: Applicants by resident internship must pass the National Board Examination before they may be licensed. See www.cfseb.org for information on this exam. All applicants must pass the Delaware Law, Rules and Regulations Examination. Procedures for taking this exam are explained on this web site under Law, Rules and Regulations Examination.

Question: What are the fees to get a license?

Answer: Resident intern applicants must submit a processing fee with the application. After the Board approves licensure following the internship, you must also pay a processing fee for the Funeral Director license. The amount of the fee you pay is pro-rated according to how many months are left in the license period. Funeral director applicants must submit a pro-rated processing fee with the application. The amount of the fee is pro-rated according to how many months are left in the license period. See Fee Schedule for fee amounts.

Question: How long will it take to get a license by reciprocity?

Answer: This depends on how long it takes for the Board office to receive all the required documentation. Once all of the required documents are received, your application is placed on the agenda for the next Board meeting. If the Board approves your application at that meeting, the Board office will contact you to arrange a time for you to take the Law, Rules and Regulations Examination. If you pass the examination, the Board office will issue your license number and certificate.

Question: Can I begin my resident internship before I finish mortuary school?

Answer: Before beginning your resident internship, you must receive an associates degree in mortuary science or its equivalent. In the case of the degree, the Board office must receive a final transcript showing the date your degree was conferred before you begin the internship. Time spent working in funeral establishments, as a student, does not count toward your internship.

Question: How long does it take to get a license by resident internship?

Answer: When the Board office receives the required proof of your education and any other documentation required, your application will be placed on the agenda for the next Board meeting. If the Board approves your internship, you will be notified when the one-year internship begins and ends. You will be required to submit four quarterly work reports and 25 embalming reports. At the end of your internship, your sponsor must attest to your successful completion of the internship. You may take the State Law, Rules and Regulations Examination at any time during your internship. When one year has passed and all of these requirements have been met, including a passing score on the National Board Examination, your application will be placed on the agenda for the next Board meeting. If the Board approves your application, the Board office will notify you of the amount of the pro-rated processing fee. When the Board office receives the fee, your license number and certificate are issued.

Question: Can I get a temporary license?

Answer: No, there is no provision for temporary licensure.

Question: What is the continuing education requirement?

Answer: A funeral director is required to complete 10 hours of approved continuing education to renew his or her license every two years. A licensee is exempt for the first renewal after becoming licensed in Delaware. If a funeral director completes more than 10 hours, he or she may carry over up to 5 hours for the next renewal. Please see Section 9.0 of the Board's Rules and Regulations for more information.

Question: What do I do if I am applying by reciprocity from a state that issues separate licenses for embalmers and funeral directors?

Answer: You must hold both an embalmer license and a funeral director license in that state. Submit letters of good standing for both licenses, sent directly from the state to the Board office.