PA Funeral Law
Student Trainee - answer* 2 years of college/liberal arts (or integrated course of study)
*accepted for matriculation at a mortuary college or university
Resident Intern - answer training in a funeral establishment in the Commonwealth under
the supervision of a qualified preceptor
Preceptor - answer licensed and qualified funeral director in good standing with the
Board may supervise 1 intern for every 35 funerals completed in the year before the
request.
By accepting position a FD is required to fulfill duties set out by board, otherwise may
result in suspension or revocation of license
Restriction of Intern - answer may not have other employment or attend school that
interferes with training
Preceptor Instruction - answer*Laws of the Commonwealth pertaining to the profession
*The complete theory of FD services:
Initial call details
embalming
cosmetizing of bodies
dressing of bodies
directing funerals
selling of funeral service merchandise
recordkeeping
purchasing of necessary supplies
preparing death certificates and documents
preparing applications for certain death benefits
follow up with family
counseling of family
instruction in prepaid burial accounts
professional responsibilities
Notification of discontinuance - answerFD and intern must notify board of
discontinuance
Interruption of internship for 30 days or more will require resident intern training to begin
anew
, Length of training - answerresident intern shall complete 12 full continuous months and
shall work a minimum of 40 hours a week
Minimum cases - answerDuring training intern shall complete detail relating to
instruction on a minimum of 35 deceased individuals 1 year of age or older under
preceptor and must maintain case history
Complete funeral transactions - answerintern shall be present at at least 35 complete
funeral transactions from initial call to internment and follow up
Affidavit of preceptor - answerPreceptor must submit affidavit of 35 cases intern has
completed
a preceptor who falsifies an affidavit may, after due notice and hearing, be subject to
licensure revocation or suspension for a period of time determined by the board
preceptor who refuses to furnish affidavit must submit to Board a reason for refusal
Examination requirements - answerNational Board Examination
Written and oral examination by the authorized by the Bureau
Limited License - answerA person licensed by a reciprocal state to practice the
profession of funeral director shall apply to the Board including:
Original certification from reciprocal state
Fee prescribed
Subject to biennial renewal
Shall become inactive upon the revocation, suspension, placement upon inactive status
or other lapse of holder's license in the reciprocal state. Board may reinstate to active
status upon proof that the holder's license in the reciprocal state is no longer revoked.
Board may take disciplinary action against the holder of a limited license for
unprofessional conduct in the Commonwealth.
Licensure designations - answerEach FD license shall designate the name of the
licensee and a place where the licensee may practice
A FD may practice only at an establishment designated in the director's license to
practice funeral directing unless the FD also has a branch office license
Use of name of predecessor - answerA sole proprietorship or partnership may be
conducted under the name of a predecessor funeral establishment if the name of the
owner or partners appear as operator on all signs, form and advertising
Student Trainee - answer* 2 years of college/liberal arts (or integrated course of study)
*accepted for matriculation at a mortuary college or university
Resident Intern - answer training in a funeral establishment in the Commonwealth under
the supervision of a qualified preceptor
Preceptor - answer licensed and qualified funeral director in good standing with the
Board may supervise 1 intern for every 35 funerals completed in the year before the
request.
By accepting position a FD is required to fulfill duties set out by board, otherwise may
result in suspension or revocation of license
Restriction of Intern - answer may not have other employment or attend school that
interferes with training
Preceptor Instruction - answer*Laws of the Commonwealth pertaining to the profession
*The complete theory of FD services:
Initial call details
embalming
cosmetizing of bodies
dressing of bodies
directing funerals
selling of funeral service merchandise
recordkeeping
purchasing of necessary supplies
preparing death certificates and documents
preparing applications for certain death benefits
follow up with family
counseling of family
instruction in prepaid burial accounts
professional responsibilities
Notification of discontinuance - answerFD and intern must notify board of
discontinuance
Interruption of internship for 30 days or more will require resident intern training to begin
anew
, Length of training - answerresident intern shall complete 12 full continuous months and
shall work a minimum of 40 hours a week
Minimum cases - answerDuring training intern shall complete detail relating to
instruction on a minimum of 35 deceased individuals 1 year of age or older under
preceptor and must maintain case history
Complete funeral transactions - answerintern shall be present at at least 35 complete
funeral transactions from initial call to internment and follow up
Affidavit of preceptor - answerPreceptor must submit affidavit of 35 cases intern has
completed
a preceptor who falsifies an affidavit may, after due notice and hearing, be subject to
licensure revocation or suspension for a period of time determined by the board
preceptor who refuses to furnish affidavit must submit to Board a reason for refusal
Examination requirements - answerNational Board Examination
Written and oral examination by the authorized by the Bureau
Limited License - answerA person licensed by a reciprocal state to practice the
profession of funeral director shall apply to the Board including:
Original certification from reciprocal state
Fee prescribed
Subject to biennial renewal
Shall become inactive upon the revocation, suspension, placement upon inactive status
or other lapse of holder's license in the reciprocal state. Board may reinstate to active
status upon proof that the holder's license in the reciprocal state is no longer revoked.
Board may take disciplinary action against the holder of a limited license for
unprofessional conduct in the Commonwealth.
Licensure designations - answerEach FD license shall designate the name of the
licensee and a place where the licensee may practice
A FD may practice only at an establishment designated in the director's license to
practice funeral directing unless the FD also has a branch office license
Use of name of predecessor - answerA sole proprietorship or partnership may be
conducted under the name of a predecessor funeral establishment if the name of the
owner or partners appear as operator on all signs, form and advertising
