Alabama Board of Funeral Service State Law
Exam 2026 | Latest Funeral Director Licensing
Exam Questions & Correct Answers | Complete
Funeral Service Law Prep Guide
Q1. 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 D. Alabama State Licensing Commission E. Alabama Bureau of
Professional Regulation
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Alabama Board of Funeral Service RATIONALE:
The Alabama Board of Funeral Service is the designated regulatory body established under
Alabama law to oversee the licensing, conduct, and discipline of funeral directors, embalmers,
and funeral establishments in the state.
Q2. Under Alabama law, how many members serve on the Alabama Board of Funeral
Service?
A. 5 members B. 7 members C. 9 members D. 11 members E. 13 members
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 9 members RATIONALE: The Alabama Board of
Funeral Service is composed of 9 members appointed by the Governor, including licensed
funeral directors/embalmers and a consumer representative.
Q3. What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a funeral director's license in
Alabama?
A. 17 years old B. 18 years old C. 19 years old D. 21 years old E. 25 years old
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 18 years old RATIONALE: Alabama law requires that
an applicant for a funeral director license must be at least 18 years of age at the time of
application.
Q4. How long is an apprenticeship required before a person can obtain a funeral director's
license in Alabama?
A. 6 months B. 12 months C. 18 months D. 24 months E. 36 months
, CORRECT ANSWER: D. 24 months RATIONALE: Alabama requires a
minimum of 24 months (2 years) of supervised apprenticeship under a licensed funeral director
before one is eligible to apply for a full funeral director's license.
Q5. Which of the following is NOT a requirement for obtaining an embalmer's license in
Alabama?
A. Completion of an accredited mortuary science program B. Passing the national board
examination C. Serving an apprenticeship D. Holding a valid driver's license E. Being at least 18
years of age
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Holding a valid driver's license RATIONALE: A valid
driver's license is not a statutory requirement for obtaining an embalmer's license in Alabama.
The requirements focus on education, examination, apprenticeship, and age.
Q6. Alabama funeral service licenses must be renewed on what basis?
A. Every 6 months B. Annually C. Every 2 years D. Every 3 years E. Every 5 years
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Every 2 years RATIONALE: Alabama funeral service
licenses are issued on a biennial (two-year) basis and must be renewed accordingly to remain
valid and in good standing.
Q7. What is the primary purpose of the Alabama Funeral Service laws under Title 34,
Chapter 13?
A. To generate revenue for the state through licensing fees B. To protect the public health, safety,
and welfare C. To promote funeral home businesses in Alabama D. To regulate cemetery
operations only E. To establish pricing for funeral services
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To protect the public health, safety, and welfare
RATIONALE: Like all professional licensing statutes, Alabama's funeral service law exists
primarily to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring that practitioners meet
minimum competency and ethical standards.
Q8. Under Alabama law, a funeral establishment license is required for which of the
following?
,A. Any location where embalming is performed B. Any business offering preneed funeral
contracts C. Any place used for the care, preparation, or disposition of human remains D. Any
location where funeral merchandise is sold E. Both A and C
CORRECT ANSWER: E. Both A and C RATIONALE: Alabama requires a
funeral establishment license for any place used in the care, preparation, or disposition of human
remains, which includes locations where embalming is performed.
Q9. Who has the right of disposition of a deceased person's remains in Alabama, listed in
order of priority?
A. Hospital, physician, coroner, next of kin B. Spouse, adult children, parents, siblings C. The
individual (if pre-arranged), then spouse, adult children, parents, adult siblings D. The state, then
next of kin E. Funeral director, then family
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The individual (if pre-arranged), then spouse, adult
children, parents, adult siblings RATIONALE: Alabama law establishes a priority order
for the right of disposition, beginning with the decedent's own written instructions, followed by
the surviving spouse, then adult children, then parents, then adult siblings.
Q10. What document must a funeral home provide to a consumer at the first point of in-
person contact under the FTC Funeral Rule as enforced in Alabama?
A. A preneed contract B. A General Price List (GPL) C. A death certificate D. An embalming
authorization form E. A burial permit
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A General Price List (GPL) RATIONALE: The FTC
Funeral Rule, which applies in Alabama, requires funeral homes to provide consumers with a
General Price List (GPL) at the beginning of any in-person discussion of funeral arrangements or
the prices of funeral goods or services.
Q11. Under Alabama law, how many continuing education hours are required per renewal
period for licensed funeral directors?
A. 5 hours B. 8 hours C. 10 hours D. 12 hours E. 16 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 10 hours RATIONALE: Alabama requires licensed
funeral directors to complete 10 hours of approved continuing education per biennial renewal
period to maintain their license.
, Q12. Which of the following acts is considered unprofessional conduct under Alabama
funeral service law?
A. Providing itemized pricing B. Embalming without authorization C. Displaying a GPL in the
funeral home D. Completing a death certificate E. Offering preneed arrangements
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Embalming without authorization RATIONALE:
Embalming a body without proper authorization from the legally authorized person is considered
unprofessional conduct and a violation of Alabama funeral service law.
Q13. In Alabama, who is authorized to issue a burial permit?
A. The Alabama Board of Funeral Service B. The local county health department C. The
attending physician D. The funeral director E. The county probate judge
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The local county health department RATIONALE: In
Alabama, burial permits are issued by the local county health department after the death
certificate has been properly completed and filed.
Q14. Within how many hours must a death be registered with the appropriate vital
statistics office in Alabama?
A. 12 hours B. 24 hours C. 48 hours D. 72 hours E. 96 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 72 hours RATIONALE: Alabama law requires that a
death certificate be filed with the appropriate registrar within 72 hours of the death or finding of
the body.
Q15. Which federal rule complements Alabama state law in regulating funeral home
pricing disclosures?
A. The Consumer Protection Act B. The FTC Funeral Rule C. The Fair Trade Commission Act
D. The Truth in Lending Act E. The Uniform Funeral Services Act
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The FTC Funeral Rule RATIONALE: The Federal
Trade Commission (FTC) Funeral Rule, enacted in 1984 and revised in 1994, requires funeral
providers to disclose pricing and other information, and it works in conjunction with Alabama
state funeral service laws.
Exam 2026 | Latest Funeral Director Licensing
Exam Questions & Correct Answers | Complete
Funeral Service Law Prep Guide
Q1. 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 D. Alabama State Licensing Commission E. Alabama Bureau of
Professional Regulation
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Alabama Board of Funeral Service RATIONALE:
The Alabama Board of Funeral Service is the designated regulatory body established under
Alabama law to oversee the licensing, conduct, and discipline of funeral directors, embalmers,
and funeral establishments in the state.
Q2. Under Alabama law, how many members serve on the Alabama Board of Funeral
Service?
A. 5 members B. 7 members C. 9 members D. 11 members E. 13 members
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 9 members RATIONALE: The Alabama Board of
Funeral Service is composed of 9 members appointed by the Governor, including licensed
funeral directors/embalmers and a consumer representative.
Q3. What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a funeral director's license in
Alabama?
A. 17 years old B. 18 years old C. 19 years old D. 21 years old E. 25 years old
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 18 years old RATIONALE: Alabama law requires that
an applicant for a funeral director license must be at least 18 years of age at the time of
application.
Q4. How long is an apprenticeship required before a person can obtain a funeral director's
license in Alabama?
A. 6 months B. 12 months C. 18 months D. 24 months E. 36 months
, CORRECT ANSWER: D. 24 months RATIONALE: Alabama requires a
minimum of 24 months (2 years) of supervised apprenticeship under a licensed funeral director
before one is eligible to apply for a full funeral director's license.
Q5. Which of the following is NOT a requirement for obtaining an embalmer's license in
Alabama?
A. Completion of an accredited mortuary science program B. Passing the national board
examination C. Serving an apprenticeship D. Holding a valid driver's license E. Being at least 18
years of age
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Holding a valid driver's license RATIONALE: A valid
driver's license is not a statutory requirement for obtaining an embalmer's license in Alabama.
The requirements focus on education, examination, apprenticeship, and age.
Q6. Alabama funeral service licenses must be renewed on what basis?
A. Every 6 months B. Annually C. Every 2 years D. Every 3 years E. Every 5 years
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Every 2 years RATIONALE: Alabama funeral service
licenses are issued on a biennial (two-year) basis and must be renewed accordingly to remain
valid and in good standing.
Q7. What is the primary purpose of the Alabama Funeral Service laws under Title 34,
Chapter 13?
A. To generate revenue for the state through licensing fees B. To protect the public health, safety,
and welfare C. To promote funeral home businesses in Alabama D. To regulate cemetery
operations only E. To establish pricing for funeral services
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To protect the public health, safety, and welfare
RATIONALE: Like all professional licensing statutes, Alabama's funeral service law exists
primarily to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring that practitioners meet
minimum competency and ethical standards.
Q8. Under Alabama law, a funeral establishment license is required for which of the
following?
,A. Any location where embalming is performed B. Any business offering preneed funeral
contracts C. Any place used for the care, preparation, or disposition of human remains D. Any
location where funeral merchandise is sold E. Both A and C
CORRECT ANSWER: E. Both A and C RATIONALE: Alabama requires a
funeral establishment license for any place used in the care, preparation, or disposition of human
remains, which includes locations where embalming is performed.
Q9. Who has the right of disposition of a deceased person's remains in Alabama, listed in
order of priority?
A. Hospital, physician, coroner, next of kin B. Spouse, adult children, parents, siblings C. The
individual (if pre-arranged), then spouse, adult children, parents, adult siblings D. The state, then
next of kin E. Funeral director, then family
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The individual (if pre-arranged), then spouse, adult
children, parents, adult siblings RATIONALE: Alabama law establishes a priority order
for the right of disposition, beginning with the decedent's own written instructions, followed by
the surviving spouse, then adult children, then parents, then adult siblings.
Q10. What document must a funeral home provide to a consumer at the first point of in-
person contact under the FTC Funeral Rule as enforced in Alabama?
A. A preneed contract B. A General Price List (GPL) C. A death certificate D. An embalming
authorization form E. A burial permit
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A General Price List (GPL) RATIONALE: The FTC
Funeral Rule, which applies in Alabama, requires funeral homes to provide consumers with a
General Price List (GPL) at the beginning of any in-person discussion of funeral arrangements or
the prices of funeral goods or services.
Q11. Under Alabama law, how many continuing education hours are required per renewal
period for licensed funeral directors?
A. 5 hours B. 8 hours C. 10 hours D. 12 hours E. 16 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 10 hours RATIONALE: Alabama requires licensed
funeral directors to complete 10 hours of approved continuing education per biennial renewal
period to maintain their license.
, Q12. Which of the following acts is considered unprofessional conduct under Alabama
funeral service law?
A. Providing itemized pricing B. Embalming without authorization C. Displaying a GPL in the
funeral home D. Completing a death certificate E. Offering preneed arrangements
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Embalming without authorization RATIONALE:
Embalming a body without proper authorization from the legally authorized person is considered
unprofessional conduct and a violation of Alabama funeral service law.
Q13. In Alabama, who is authorized to issue a burial permit?
A. The Alabama Board of Funeral Service B. The local county health department C. The
attending physician D. The funeral director E. The county probate judge
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The local county health department RATIONALE: In
Alabama, burial permits are issued by the local county health department after the death
certificate has been properly completed and filed.
Q14. Within how many hours must a death be registered with the appropriate vital
statistics office in Alabama?
A. 12 hours B. 24 hours C. 48 hours D. 72 hours E. 96 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 72 hours RATIONALE: Alabama law requires that a
death certificate be filed with the appropriate registrar within 72 hours of the death or finding of
the body.
Q15. Which federal rule complements Alabama state law in regulating funeral home
pricing disclosures?
A. The Consumer Protection Act B. The FTC Funeral Rule C. The Fair Trade Commission Act
D. The Truth in Lending Act E. The Uniform Funeral Services Act
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The FTC Funeral Rule RATIONALE: The Federal
Trade Commission (FTC) Funeral Rule, enacted in 1984 and revised in 1994, requires funeral
providers to disclose pricing and other information, and it works in conjunction with Alabama
state funeral service laws.
