NYS FUNERAL DIRECTOR & EMBALMER LICENSURE
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWER WITH RATIONALE|2026 UPDATE|100%
PASS
1. Which New York State agency regulates the practice of funeral directing and embalming?
a) New York State Education Department
b) New York State Department of State
c) New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Funeral Directing
d) New York State Department of Labor
Answer: c
Rationale: The New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Funeral Directing is the
regulatory authority for funeral directors, embalmers, and undertakers. All licensing and
enforcement functions are handled through this bureau.
2. What is the minimum passing grade required for the New York State funeral director licensing
examination?
a) 70
b) 75
,c) 80
d) 85
Answer: b
Rationale: According to 10 NYCRR §77.2(f), every candidate for a funeral director license must
pass the examination with a grade of not less than 75.
3. How many semester credits of collegiatelevel study in funeral service are required for
licensure in New York?
a) 30 semester credits
b) 45 semester credits
c) 60 semester credits
d) 90 semester credits
Answer: c
Rationale: The approved course of study must consist of not less than 60 semester credits or 90
quarter credits in an institution approved by the department. This includes specific allocations
for mortuary arts sciences (22 credits) and funeral service education (22 credits).
4. According to New York State law, how many times may a candidate who fails the licensing
examination be reexamined?
,a) One time
b) Two times
c) Three times
d) Unlimited times
Answer: c
Rationale: Section 3422 of the Public Health Law states that a candidate who fails to attain a
passing grade is entitled to a maximum of three reexaminations.
5. What is the duration of the postgraduate residency requirement for funeral director licensure
in New York?
a) 6 months
b) 12 months
c) 18 months
d) 24 months
Answer: b
Rationale: Applicants must serve a 12month residency in a registered New York State funeral
home under the supervision of a licensed New York State funeral director.
, 6. Within what timeframe must a candidate complete their licensing requirements after
training?
a) 1 year
b) 2 years
c) 3 years
d) 5 years
Answer: c
Rationale: If a candidate fails to attain a passing grade within three years after completion of
training, they must requalify in accordance with provisions existing at the time of subsequent
application.
7. What is the citizenship requirement for funeral director licensure in New York?
a) Must be a New York State resident
b) Must be a United States citizen or alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence
c) No citizenship requirements
d) Must have lived in the US for at least 5 years
Answer: b
Rationale: According to 10 NYCRR §77.2(a)(2), applicants must be citizens of the United States at
the time of filing application, or aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWER WITH RATIONALE|2026 UPDATE|100%
PASS
1. Which New York State agency regulates the practice of funeral directing and embalming?
a) New York State Education Department
b) New York State Department of State
c) New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Funeral Directing
d) New York State Department of Labor
Answer: c
Rationale: The New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Funeral Directing is the
regulatory authority for funeral directors, embalmers, and undertakers. All licensing and
enforcement functions are handled through this bureau.
2. What is the minimum passing grade required for the New York State funeral director licensing
examination?
a) 70
b) 75
,c) 80
d) 85
Answer: b
Rationale: According to 10 NYCRR §77.2(f), every candidate for a funeral director license must
pass the examination with a grade of not less than 75.
3. How many semester credits of collegiatelevel study in funeral service are required for
licensure in New York?
a) 30 semester credits
b) 45 semester credits
c) 60 semester credits
d) 90 semester credits
Answer: c
Rationale: The approved course of study must consist of not less than 60 semester credits or 90
quarter credits in an institution approved by the department. This includes specific allocations
for mortuary arts sciences (22 credits) and funeral service education (22 credits).
4. According to New York State law, how many times may a candidate who fails the licensing
examination be reexamined?
,a) One time
b) Two times
c) Three times
d) Unlimited times
Answer: c
Rationale: Section 3422 of the Public Health Law states that a candidate who fails to attain a
passing grade is entitled to a maximum of three reexaminations.
5. What is the duration of the postgraduate residency requirement for funeral director licensure
in New York?
a) 6 months
b) 12 months
c) 18 months
d) 24 months
Answer: b
Rationale: Applicants must serve a 12month residency in a registered New York State funeral
home under the supervision of a licensed New York State funeral director.
, 6. Within what timeframe must a candidate complete their licensing requirements after
training?
a) 1 year
b) 2 years
c) 3 years
d) 5 years
Answer: c
Rationale: If a candidate fails to attain a passing grade within three years after completion of
training, they must requalify in accordance with provisions existing at the time of subsequent
application.
7. What is the citizenship requirement for funeral director licensure in New York?
a) Must be a New York State resident
b) Must be a United States citizen or alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence
c) No citizenship requirements
d) Must have lived in the US for at least 5 years
Answer: b
Rationale: According to 10 NYCRR §77.2(a)(2), applicants must be citizens of the United States at
the time of filing application, or aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
