ALABAMA BOARD OF FUNERAL SERVICE
STATE LAW EXAM 2026 | 250 Multiple Choice
Questions with Rationales | latest update
SECTION 1: ALABAMA FUNERAL SERVICE
LICENSING AND REGULATION
1. Which state agency is responsible for licensing and regulating funeral directors and
embalmers in Alabama?
A. Alabama Department of Public Health B. Alabama Department of Commerce C. Alabama
Board of Funeral Service (correct answer) D. Alabama Secretary of State
Rationale: The Alabama Board of Funeral Service (ABFS) is the state agency established under
Alabama Code Title 34, Chapter 13 to regulate the funeral service profession, including
licensing of funeral directors, embalmers, and funeral establishments. The Board enforces the
Alabama Funeral Service Act and ensures compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
2. Under Alabama law, what is the minimum age requirement to obtain a funeral director's
license?
A. 18 years old B. 19 years old (correct answer) C. 21 years old D. 20 years old
Rationale: Under Alabama Code §34-13-51, an applicant for a funeral director's license must
be at least 19 years of age, which is Alabama's age of majority. This reflects the legal capacity
to enter into contracts and conduct business transactions involved in funeral service, including
signing death certificates and handling financial arrangements with families.
3. How many members serve on the Alabama Board of Funeral Service?
A. Five members B. Seven members C. Nine members (correct answer) D. Eleven members
Rationale: The Alabama Board of Funeral Service consists of nine members appointed by the
Governor. Eight members must be licensed funeral service practitioners with at least five years
,of active practice, and one member must be a consumer/public representative who has no
connection to the funeral industry. Members serve four-year terms.
4. Under Alabama law, how long must a funeral establishment maintain its records,
including preneed contracts and funeral service records?
A. Three years B. Five years C. Seven years (correct answer) D. Ten years
Rationale: Alabama Code §34-13-112 requires funeral establishments to maintain all records,
including funeral service contracts, preneed contracts, death certificates, authorizations, and
financial records, for a minimum of seven years. This retention period aligns with Alabama's
statute of limitations for contract disputes and ensures records are available for regulatory
inspection and audit.
5. Which of the following is a requirement to obtain an embalmer's license in Alabama?
A. Completion of a 6-month apprenticeship only B. A high school diploma and passing the state
exam C. Graduation from an accredited mortuary science program and completion of a
supervised apprenticeship (correct answer) D. Only passing the National Board Examination
Rationale: Alabama Code §34-13-51 requires applicants for an embalmer's license to graduate
from a mortuary science program accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service
Education (ABFSE), complete a supervised apprenticeship under a licensed embalmer, and pass
both the National Board Examination (NBE) and the Alabama state law examination.
6. A funeral director's license in Alabama must be renewed:
A. Every year B. Every two years C. Every two years, by June 30 of the renewal year
(correct answer) D. Every three years
Rationale: Alabama funeral director and embalmer licenses are issued on a biennial basis and
must be renewed every two years by June 30 of the renewal year. Failure to renew by the
deadline results in license lapse, and practicing with a lapsed license is a violation of the
Alabama Funeral Service Act subject to disciplinary action.
7. Under Alabama law, which of the following constitutes unprofessional conduct subject to
license discipline?
,A. Advertising cremation services B. Operating a funeral home and a florist in the same building
C. Soliciting human remains through agents or other parties (correct answer) D. Offering
pre-need funeral contracts
Rationale: Alabama Code §34-13-110 prohibits solicitation of human remains through the use
of agents, runners, or other parties as a form of unprofessional conduct. This prohibition is
designed to prevent predatory business practices. Advertising, offering preneed contracts, and
operating combination businesses (with proper disclosure) are permissible activities under
Alabama law.
8. What is the required apprenticeship period for an embalmer applicant in Alabama?
A. One year (2,000 hours) under a licensed embalmer (correct answer) B. Six months under
any funeral professional C. Two years under a licensed funeral director D. 18 months under any
licensed practitioner
Rationale: Alabama Code §34-13-51 requires that embalmer applicants complete a supervised
apprenticeship of one year (approximately 2,000 hours) under the direct supervision of a
licensed embalmer who has been licensed for at least three years. The supervising embalmer
must maintain records of the apprenticeship and certify completion to the Board.
9. Alabama law requires that a funeral establishment must have on its premises at all
times:
A. A licensed funeral director and at least two apprentices B. At least one licensed funeral
director or embalmer responsible for the establishment (correct answer) C. Two licensed
funeral directors on duty simultaneously D. A licensed embalmer present during all business
hours
Rationale: Alabama Code §34-13-71 requires that each licensed funeral establishment must
have at least one licensed funeral director or embalmer designated as the funeral establishment
director who is responsible for the lawful operation of the establishment. This individual's
license must be conspicuously displayed at the establishment.
10. Which of the following actions would allow the Alabama Board of Funeral Service to
revoke a funeral director's license?
A. Failure to join the state funeral directors association B. Operating a funeral home in a
residential neighborhood C. Conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude (correct
answer) D. Refusing to perform religious funeral services
, Rationale: Alabama Code §34-13-110 authorizes the Board to revoke, suspend, or impose
conditions on a license for conviction of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude. This
includes fraud, theft, drug offenses, and similar crimes. Refusal to perform specific religious
ceremonies, business location, and professional organization membership are not grounds for
disciplinary action.
SECTION 2: PRENEED FUNERAL CONTRACTS
11. Under Alabama law, preneed funeral contracts must be written and must include which
of the following?
A. The funeral director's personal guaranty B. The decedent's Social Security number C. An
itemized list of goods and services to be provided and their prices (correct answer) D.
Notarization by a certified notary public
Rationale: Alabama Code §34-13-131 requires that all preneed funeral contracts be in writing
and contain an itemized description of all funeral goods and services to be provided, along with
their prices. This protects consumers by ensuring full price disclosure before funds are
committed. The contract must also disclose cancellation rights, transferability, and fund
disposition.
12. What percentage of preneed funeral funds collected in Alabama must be placed in
trust?
A. 75% B. 80% C. 100% (correct answer) D. 90%
Rationale: Alabama Code §34-13-133 requires that 100% of funds received under a preneed
funeral contract must be deposited into a trust account within 30 days of receipt. This full-trust
requirement protects consumers from losing their prepaid funds if the funeral home goes out of
business. The funeral home cannot use any portion of the funds for operating expenses.
13. A consumer who enters into a preneed funeral contract in Alabama has the right to
cancel the contract within how many days for a full refund?
A. 3 days B. 30 days (correct answer) C. 7 days D. 15 days
Rationale: Alabama Code §34-13-131 provides preneed contract purchasers with a 30-day right
of rescission (cancellation) period from the date the contract is executed. If the purchaser
STATE LAW EXAM 2026 | 250 Multiple Choice
Questions with Rationales | latest update
SECTION 1: ALABAMA FUNERAL SERVICE
LICENSING AND REGULATION
1. Which state agency is responsible for licensing and regulating funeral directors and
embalmers in Alabama?
A. Alabama Department of Public Health B. Alabama Department of Commerce C. Alabama
Board of Funeral Service (correct answer) D. Alabama Secretary of State
Rationale: The Alabama Board of Funeral Service (ABFS) is the state agency established under
Alabama Code Title 34, Chapter 13 to regulate the funeral service profession, including
licensing of funeral directors, embalmers, and funeral establishments. The Board enforces the
Alabama Funeral Service Act and ensures compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
2. Under Alabama law, what is the minimum age requirement to obtain a funeral director's
license?
A. 18 years old B. 19 years old (correct answer) C. 21 years old D. 20 years old
Rationale: Under Alabama Code §34-13-51, an applicant for a funeral director's license must
be at least 19 years of age, which is Alabama's age of majority. This reflects the legal capacity
to enter into contracts and conduct business transactions involved in funeral service, including
signing death certificates and handling financial arrangements with families.
3. How many members serve on the Alabama Board of Funeral Service?
A. Five members B. Seven members C. Nine members (correct answer) D. Eleven members
Rationale: The Alabama Board of Funeral Service consists of nine members appointed by the
Governor. Eight members must be licensed funeral service practitioners with at least five years
,of active practice, and one member must be a consumer/public representative who has no
connection to the funeral industry. Members serve four-year terms.
4. Under Alabama law, how long must a funeral establishment maintain its records,
including preneed contracts and funeral service records?
A. Three years B. Five years C. Seven years (correct answer) D. Ten years
Rationale: Alabama Code §34-13-112 requires funeral establishments to maintain all records,
including funeral service contracts, preneed contracts, death certificates, authorizations, and
financial records, for a minimum of seven years. This retention period aligns with Alabama's
statute of limitations for contract disputes and ensures records are available for regulatory
inspection and audit.
5. Which of the following is a requirement to obtain an embalmer's license in Alabama?
A. Completion of a 6-month apprenticeship only B. A high school diploma and passing the state
exam C. Graduation from an accredited mortuary science program and completion of a
supervised apprenticeship (correct answer) D. Only passing the National Board Examination
Rationale: Alabama Code §34-13-51 requires applicants for an embalmer's license to graduate
from a mortuary science program accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service
Education (ABFSE), complete a supervised apprenticeship under a licensed embalmer, and pass
both the National Board Examination (NBE) and the Alabama state law examination.
6. A funeral director's license in Alabama must be renewed:
A. Every year B. Every two years C. Every two years, by June 30 of the renewal year
(correct answer) D. Every three years
Rationale: Alabama funeral director and embalmer licenses are issued on a biennial basis and
must be renewed every two years by June 30 of the renewal year. Failure to renew by the
deadline results in license lapse, and practicing with a lapsed license is a violation of the
Alabama Funeral Service Act subject to disciplinary action.
7. Under Alabama law, which of the following constitutes unprofessional conduct subject to
license discipline?
,A. Advertising cremation services B. Operating a funeral home and a florist in the same building
C. Soliciting human remains through agents or other parties (correct answer) D. Offering
pre-need funeral contracts
Rationale: Alabama Code §34-13-110 prohibits solicitation of human remains through the use
of agents, runners, or other parties as a form of unprofessional conduct. This prohibition is
designed to prevent predatory business practices. Advertising, offering preneed contracts, and
operating combination businesses (with proper disclosure) are permissible activities under
Alabama law.
8. What is the required apprenticeship period for an embalmer applicant in Alabama?
A. One year (2,000 hours) under a licensed embalmer (correct answer) B. Six months under
any funeral professional C. Two years under a licensed funeral director D. 18 months under any
licensed practitioner
Rationale: Alabama Code §34-13-51 requires that embalmer applicants complete a supervised
apprenticeship of one year (approximately 2,000 hours) under the direct supervision of a
licensed embalmer who has been licensed for at least three years. The supervising embalmer
must maintain records of the apprenticeship and certify completion to the Board.
9. Alabama law requires that a funeral establishment must have on its premises at all
times:
A. A licensed funeral director and at least two apprentices B. At least one licensed funeral
director or embalmer responsible for the establishment (correct answer) C. Two licensed
funeral directors on duty simultaneously D. A licensed embalmer present during all business
hours
Rationale: Alabama Code §34-13-71 requires that each licensed funeral establishment must
have at least one licensed funeral director or embalmer designated as the funeral establishment
director who is responsible for the lawful operation of the establishment. This individual's
license must be conspicuously displayed at the establishment.
10. Which of the following actions would allow the Alabama Board of Funeral Service to
revoke a funeral director's license?
A. Failure to join the state funeral directors association B. Operating a funeral home in a
residential neighborhood C. Conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude (correct
answer) D. Refusing to perform religious funeral services
, Rationale: Alabama Code §34-13-110 authorizes the Board to revoke, suspend, or impose
conditions on a license for conviction of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude. This
includes fraud, theft, drug offenses, and similar crimes. Refusal to perform specific religious
ceremonies, business location, and professional organization membership are not grounds for
disciplinary action.
SECTION 2: PRENEED FUNERAL CONTRACTS
11. Under Alabama law, preneed funeral contracts must be written and must include which
of the following?
A. The funeral director's personal guaranty B. The decedent's Social Security number C. An
itemized list of goods and services to be provided and their prices (correct answer) D.
Notarization by a certified notary public
Rationale: Alabama Code §34-13-131 requires that all preneed funeral contracts be in writing
and contain an itemized description of all funeral goods and services to be provided, along with
their prices. This protects consumers by ensuring full price disclosure before funds are
committed. The contract must also disclose cancellation rights, transferability, and fund
disposition.
12. What percentage of preneed funeral funds collected in Alabama must be placed in
trust?
A. 75% B. 80% C. 100% (correct answer) D. 90%
Rationale: Alabama Code §34-13-133 requires that 100% of funds received under a preneed
funeral contract must be deposited into a trust account within 30 days of receipt. This full-trust
requirement protects consumers from losing their prepaid funds if the funeral home goes out of
business. The funeral home cannot use any portion of the funds for operating expenses.
13. A consumer who enters into a preneed funeral contract in Alabama has the right to
cancel the contract within how many days for a full refund?
A. 3 days B. 30 days (correct answer) C. 7 days D. 15 days
Rationale: Alabama Code §34-13-131 provides preneed contract purchasers with a 30-day right
of rescission (cancellation) period from the date the contract is executed. If the purchaser
