Funeral Director and/or Embalmer
A valid license from the Board of Funeral Service is required to practice funeral service in the state of South Carolina.
Check the Status of Your Application
South Carolina Code § 8-29-10(A) requires the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (SCLLR) to verify the lawful presence in the United States of any alien who has applied for state or local public “benefits,” as defined in 8 USC Section 1621. See S.C. Code Ann. § 8-29-10(A).
Under 8 USC Section 1621, an alien is not eligible for any State or local public benefit unless the alien is (1) a qualified alien as defined in Section 1641, (2) a nonimmigrant under the Immigration and Nationality Act, or (3) an alien who is paroled into the United States under 8 USC § 1882(d)(5) for less than one year. See 8 USC § 1621(a). Under Section 1621 further defines “state or local public benefit” to include “any grant, contract, loan, professional license, or commercial license provided by an agency of a State or local government or by appropriated funds of a State or local government.” 8 USC § 1621(c)(1)(A).
The Agency reviews applicants eligibility utilizing the federal Systematic Alien Verification of Entitlement (SAVE) program for eligibility of non-citizens seeking professional or occupational licensure. Applicants with non- “qualified alien” status are not eligible for licensure under state and federal law.
Additionally, in accordance with S.C. Code of Laws Section 8-29-10 and a SC Attorney General Opinion dated March 3, 2014, DACA status recipients are not able to receive a professional license in South Carolina.
Step 1: Print all required documentation. Please note some of the required documentation must be notarized
Step 2: After completion of all required documents, visit the Online Portal to begin application process. Upload all completed/notarized required documents in the online application portal. Please note: Payment must be submitted at the end of the online application in order to be submitted.
- Funeral Directors Directors must pass the National Arts Exam with a minimum score of 75.
- Embalmers must pass the National Science Exam with a minimum score of 75.
- All applicants for Funeral Director and/or Embalmer must take the SC Laws exam.
Once we receive your completed application to license and verify that you meet all requirements, the Board office will forward your approval to sit for the exams on to the International Conference of Funeral Service Boards. Applicants will be sent notification of exam eligibility via email and you will go to theconferenceonline.org to complete your exam application.
Exams are given by a third-party exam provider. Applicants can schedule their exams based on testing center availability. Pearson VUE currently serves as the testing provider for Board of Funeral Service exams. You can locate your nearest testing center by going to Pearson's Test Center Search.
Applicants will know whether or not you passed the exam once you finish taking it. The Board office receives scores directly from Pearson VUE. Please do not send a copy of your scores to the Board office.
S.C. Code of Laws Title 40 Chapter 19: Board of Funeral Service
S.C. Code of Regulations Chapter 57: Board of Funeral Service
S.C. Code of Laws Title 32 Chapter 7 Preneed Funeral Contracts
S.C. Code of Laws Title 32 Chapter 8 Cremation Authorizations And Procedures
S.C. Code of Laws Title 17 Chapter 5 Coroners And Medical Examiners
Funeral Directors, Embalmers and Dual licensees will need four (4) hours annually of Board approved continuing education. A total of eight (8) hours is needed each renewal cycle which runs from July 1 of even years to June 30 of even years.
- One (1) of the four (4) hours must be an ethics in funeral service course.
- Four hours must be live, in person classes. Virtual, remote, correspondence, or other non-in-person formats do not satisfy this requirement.
All exemption must be reported to CE Broker with each renewal cycle: Step-by-step instructions for reporting exemption
If you meet any of the following you are exempt from CE requirements. Funeral Home Managers are not eligible for exemption (SC Regulations 57-11(A)):
- Licensee who is sixty (60) years of age or older and licensed for thirty (30) or more years with the SC Board of Funeral Service; or
- Granted a waiver of continuing education from the Board due to disability or illness. Requests for exemption due to disability or illness must upload a document, signed by a licensed health care professional, attesting to the licensee's inability to complete continuing education due to disability or illness
Waiver requests must be submitted in CE Broker: Step-by-step instructions for reporting exemption.
Funeral Director and/or Embalmer licenses expire June 30th of even numbered years. Renewal notifications will be sent out the beginning of April.
The current license cycle is July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028. If a license is not renewed (postmarked on or before June 30th), continued practice is a violation of Board law and regulations and may be subject to Board discipline.
Funeral Director or Embalmer renewal fee: $390
Dual Funeral Director and Embalmer renewal fee: $415
Late Renewal (Postmarked on or before July 31st of renewal year): $150 late fee plus renewal fee.
After August 1 of the renewal year, the license is lapsed and must be reinstated. Lapsed licenses not reinstated within five (5) years are cancelled. Cancelled licenses must reapply for licensure and meet all current requirements for licensure.
Licensees not renewed by August 1 of the renewal year may reinstate. In addition to the Reinstatement Application LINK NEEDED, licensees must submit proof that they completed the required continuing education hours for each year that the license was expired.
Licensees who do not reinstate their lapsed licenses within five years of the expiration date are cancelled. Cancelled licenses must reapply for licensure and meet all current requirements for licensure.
Licensees may use the Licensee Portal complete the following:
- Update Contact Information: email, mailing address, etc.
- Print a copy of Registration
- Request a Registration Verification record
- Access Document Submission to submit additional forms or documents – Submission Instructions