The New Jersey application for a practitioner of mortuary science license is the form you send to the State Board of Mortuary Science to prove you have the age, schooling, internship, and exam results the state demands before you can legally direct funerals or embalm. You file it under the rules in N.J.A.C. 13:36, and the Board reviews every page before it lets you sit for an exam or grants you a license.
Get one line wrong, and your file can sit in a “pending” pile for weeks while the Board mails you a letter asking for more proof. New Jersey runs a small, careful licensing program, and the Board reviews each application by hand rather than through an instant online check, so a clean, complete packet is the single biggest factor in how fast you get licensed. Newly licensed non-owners in the state earn a median of $71,000 a year, so the paperwork in front of you is the gateway to a real paycheck.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 How to fill out every section of the New Jersey mortuary science application, line by line.
- 🗂️ The exact documents, certificates, and ID numbers to gather before you start.
- 💵 The current fees, where they come from in the rules, and how to pay them the right way.
- ✉️ How to file by mail, online, and in person, plus what to keep as proof.
- ⚠️ The field-level mistakes that stall applications, and how to dodge each one.
What This Form Is and Who Must File It
A “practitioner of mortuary science” license in New Jersey is one combined license that covers both funeral directing and embalming. The State Board of Mortuary Science issues it, the Division of Consumer Affairs houses the Board, and state law makes it a crime to embalm, direct a funeral, or run a funeral home without it. The Board itself was created in 1948 and exists to license qualified people, regulate the practice, and investigate complaints.
You must file an application if you fall into any of these groups. First, mortuary school graduates who finished their schooling and internship and now want to sit for exams and get licensed. Second, registered interns (the Board calls them “trainees”) who need to register their training period before it counts. Third, current licensees who must renew every two years. Fourth, funeral directors licensed in another state who want New Jersey licensure by credentials.
The rule behind the license is found in the New Jersey statutes governing mortuary science and the Board’s own code at N.J.A.C. 13:36. The plain-English meaning is simple: no license, no practice. The consequence of skipping it is steep, because practicing without a license can bring fines, cease-and-desist orders, and a permanent mark that blocks future licensure. A common misconception is that a mortuary school diploma alone lets you work; it does not, because the diploma only qualifies you to apply, not to practice.
There is no single universal form number printed across all of these paths. Instead, the Board posts separate application packets on its applications page, and you request the specific one you need in writing. Always confirm you are using the current version posted on the Board’s site, since the Board updates its packets and fee notices over time.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Mailing a thin application is the fastest way to get a delay letter, so gather everything before you write a word. The Board’s own advice is to “mail the application with as much supporting information as possible,” because a reviewer who has every proof in hand can approve you in one pass. Missing even one certificate sends your file to the bottom of the stack while the Board writes to you for it.
Here is your pre-filing checklist. Pull each item together first so you are not hunting for documents halfway through.
- Proof of age (at least 21). A birth certificate or passport copy proves the minimum age; without it the Board cannot confirm eligibility and holds the file.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship. New Jersey requires citizenship for licensure, so a passport or naturalization document is core; a missing proof stops review cold.
- Proof of New Jersey residency. You must show residency for at least six months before the exam, since interns must live in the state during training; a utility bill or lease works.
- Education certificate from the NJ Commissioner of Education. This verifies your high school, two years of college, and one year of mortuary school; without it you cannot sit for exams.
- Internship/trainee verification signed by your supervising licensed funeral director. This certifies your one or two years of supervised work, and an unsigned form is treated as no proof at all.
- National Board Exam (NBE) score reports. The Board needs both the Arts and Sciences results from the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards; missing scores block licensure.
- Government photo ID and Social Security number. These let the Board match you across records; a name or number mismatch triggers a manual hold.
- Payment by check or money order. The Board takes no cash, so a personal check, certified check, or money order made out to the Board is required, or the packet is returned.
- Details on any “yes” answers. If you answer yes to any conviction or discipline question, gather court records and a written explanation now, because the Board will demand them.
- A clear note of the exact name on every document. Name consistency across all papers prevents the most common processing hold.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You download the application from the Board’s website, but New Jersey adds one step many states skip: you must first request the specific application in writing. The Board’s process overview spells this out plainly, listing step one as “request specific application in writing.” This matters because the Board mails you the correct, current packet and logs your request, so a phone call alone is not enough.
Start at the Board’s applications and forms page, where packets for initial licensure, intern registration, reinstatement, and reciprocity are posted as PDFs. Print the one that matches your path, since using an intern form when you need a licensure form will get your file rejected. If you cannot find the exact packet, write to the Board and ask, rather than guessing with an old form.
For renewals, the access point is different. Renewals run through the state’s online license portal at newjersey.mylicense.com and the renewal portal, not by paper. The consequence of using the wrong channel is wasted time, because a mailed renewal may not post to your record before your license lapses.
Mail everything that is not a renewal to the Board’s post office box, which the Board says to use for all incoming mail:
- Mailing address: State Board of Mortuary Science, P.O. Box 45009, Newark, NJ 07101.
- Physical address (for couriers and in-person drop-off): State Board of Mortuary Science, 124 Halsey Street, Newark, NJ 07102.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the New Jersey Mortuary Science Application Line by Line
The application is grouped into logical sections rather than a single numbered grid, so this walkthrough follows the order the Board’s packets use. Fill in every box, even ones that look minor, because a blank field reads to the Board as an unanswered question. Print in black ink or type, use all capital letters where the form asks, and never leave a line empty when “N/A” is the honest answer.
1. Application Type and License Requested
This field asks which license or action you want, such as initial practitioner licensure, intern registration, reinstatement, or licensure by credentials. Check the one box that matches your packet and your goal, and do not check more than one. Daniel Reyes, a recent mortuary school graduate, checks Initial License — Practitioner of Mortuary Science. If you are unsure whether you are an intern or an applicant for licensure, the rule is simple: you register as an intern before training and apply for licensure after training and exams. Checking the wrong box routes your file to the wrong reviewer and adds weeks of delay. Many people wrongly believe one form covers every step from intern to licensee, but New Jersey uses separate packets for each stage.
2. Full Legal Name
This field asks for your complete legal name as it appears on your government records. Write your last name, first name, and middle name in the order the form prints, in all capital letters, and include any suffix like JR or III. Daniel Reyes writes REYES, DANIEL MICHAEL. If you changed your name through marriage or a court order, use your current legal name here and attach the document that proves the change, since the Board needs a clean chain from your school records to today. The most common mistake is entering a nickname or a maiden name that does not match your diploma or NBE scores, which forces the Board to stop and reconcile the records by hand. People often think small spelling differences do not matter, but the Board cross-checks names against your education and exam records, and any mismatch triggers a hold.
3. Date of Birth and Age Verification
This field asks for your birth date and proof that you are at least 21. Enter the date in MM/DD/YYYY format with no extra marks, so 03/14/2000 is correct, and attach a birth certificate or passport copy. Priya Anand, applying after finishing her internship, writes 11/02/1999. If your birth record is in another language, attach a certified English translation, because the Board cannot accept a document it cannot read. The common error is writing the date in DD/MM/YYYY order, which can make a real birth date look impossible and bounce the field back to you. Some applicants think the Board will pull their age from another agency, but you must prove it yourself with an attached document.
4. Residential and Mailing Address
This field asks where you live and where the Board should send mail. Enter your full street address, city, state, and ZIP for your home, and list a separate mailing address only if it differs. Daniel Reyes writes 128 OAK STREET, APT 3B, TRENTON, NJ 08611. If you use a P.O. Box for mail, you still must list a physical residential address, because New Jersey verifies that you live in the state during training. The biggest mistake here is giving an address you are about to leave, since every Board decision and renewal notice goes to the address on file. People wrongly assume an out-of-state address is fine for initial licensure, but New Jersey residency is a core requirement for the standard path.
5. Contact Information
This field asks for your phone number and email address. Enter a number and an email you check often, since the Board may use them to ask quick questions about your file. Priya Anand writes 609-555-0147 and priya.anand@email.com. If you share an email with a spouse or employer, use one that is yours alone, because licensing messages can be time-sensitive and private. The common error is listing a work email at a funeral home you may soon leave, which can cut off the Board’s contact mid-review. Many filers think contact details are optional details, but stale contact info is a leading reason applicants miss a request and stall their own file.
6. Social Security Number
This field asks for your Social Security number, used to match you across state and federal records. Write all nine digits in the boxes provided, and double-check each one against your card. Daniel Reyes enters 123-45-6789 exactly as printed on his card. If you legally have no Social Security number, contact the Board in writing before filing, because the standard form assumes you have one. The common mistake is transposing two digits, which makes the Board’s record check fail and freezes the application. Some applicants fear the number is optional or unsafe to share, but the Board is authorized to collect it, and leaving it blank stops processing.
7. Education and Mortuary School History
This field asks for your high school, college, and mortuary school details, including dates and degrees. List each school’s name, location, dates attended, and credential earned, then attach the education certificate from the New Jersey Commissioner of Education that verifies it all. Priya Anand lists her two years at Mercer County Community College and her funeral service program, then attaches the state certificate. If your college credits came from more than one school, list every school so the two-year college requirement is clearly met. The common error is leaving out the official Commissioner of Education certificate and assuming a diploma copy is enough, which it is not, and the file halts. People often think mortuary school alone satisfies the schooling rule, but New Jersey requires at least two years of college on top of the one-year program.
8. Internship / Trainee Verification
This section asks for proof of your supervised internship, certified by the licensed funeral director who oversaw you. List the funeral home, the supervising licensee’s name and license number, your start and end dates, and have that licensee sign the attestation. Daniel Reyes lists Reyes & Sons Funeral Home, his preceptor Maria Delgado, License No. JP01234, and dates covering his two-year internship. If you completed three academic years of college, you may qualify for a one-year internship instead of two, so note which applies and attach proof. The most damaging mistake is submitting this page without the supervising director’s signature, since an unsigned attestation counts as no internship proof at all. Many interns wrongly believe they can self-certify their hours, but only a licensed New Jersey funeral director’s sworn statement is accepted.
9. Examination Section
This section asks which exams you have passed or wish to take: the National Board Exam (Arts and Sciences), the New Jersey Mortuary Jurisprudence Exam, and the in-person embalming practical. Mark the exams completed and attach score reports, or mark the exam you are applying to sit for and pay that fee. Priya Anand checks that she passed both NBE sections and is applying to take the Jurisprudence Exam. Remember the timing rule for the practical: take it no more than 90 days before your internship ends and no later than 90 days after. The common error is applying to sit for the Jurisprudence Exam after the monthly cutoff, since complete applications are due by the end of the month before the February, July, or October exam dates. People often think one national exam covers everything, but New Jersey also requires its own state law exam and a hands-on embalming practical.
10. Background and Good Moral Character Questions
This section asks a series of yes/no questions about criminal convictions, prior license discipline, and pending charges. Answer every question honestly with a clear yes or no, and never leave one blank. Daniel Reyes answers NO to each question and moves on. If you must answer yes to any question, attach a full written explanation plus certified court or board records, because the Board’s own tip sheet says to “submit as many details as possible.” The worst mistake here is hiding a past offense, since the Board cross-checks records and a discovered omission can be treated as fraud and bar you for life. Many applicants believe an old or expunged matter need not be disclosed, but you should disclose and explain rather than assume, since dishonesty is far more damaging than the underlying issue.
11. Certification, Oath, and Signature
This final field asks you to swear that everything in the application is true and to sign, often before a notary. Sign in ink, print your name, enter the date as MM/DD/YYYY, and complete any notary block the form includes. Priya Anand signs, prints PRIYA ANAND, dates it 05/12/2026, and has a notary stamp the page. If the form requires verification “by oath,” do not sign until you are in front of the notary, because a pre-signed oath page is invalid. The most common mistake is mailing an unsigned or undated application, which the Board cannot accept and must return, costing you a full mailing cycle. Some filers think a signature is a formality, but it is a sworn legal statement, and a false one carries the same weight as lying under oath.
12. Fee Payment
This field asks for the correct fee, paid the way the Board allows. Enclose a check or money order made out to the State Board of Mortuary Science, since the Board takes no cash. Daniel Reyes encloses a $50.00 check for the application fee and a separate payment for his exam. If you are paying more than one fee, confirm whether the Board wants separate payments or one combined check, and label the memo line with your name and the application type. The common mistake is sending the wrong amount, which delays the file until the Board contacts you to correct it. People often assume the fee is one flat charge, but New Jersey charges several separate fees set in N.J.A.C. 13:36-1.6.
Here are the current fees most applicants encounter, set in the Board’s fee rule:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $50.00 |
| Initial license fee (first year of renewal period) | $350.00 |
| Initial license fee (second year of renewal period) | $175.00 |
| Licensure (Jurisprudence) examination fee | $125.00 |
| Practical examination fee | $75.00 |
| Intern registration fee | $75.00 |
| Biennial practitioner renewal fee | $350.00 |
| Late renewal fee | $100.00 |
| Reinstatement fee | $150.00 |
| Duplicate license fee | $25.00 |
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three paths below show how different filers complete the form from start to finish. Each follows one named person through the major sections so you can see what real entries look like. Use the example closest to your own situation as a model.
Scenario A: Daniel Reyes, recent graduate seeking initial licensure. Daniel finished mortuary school and a two-year internship at his family’s funeral home and now wants his first license.
| Form Section | What Daniel Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | Initial License — Practitioner of Mortuary Science |
| Full Legal Name | REYES, DANIEL MICHAEL |
| Date of Birth | 03/14/2000 (birth certificate attached) |
| Residential Address | 128 OAK STREET, APT 3B, TRENTON, NJ 08611 |
| Social Security Number | 123-45-6789 |
| Education History | Two years college plus funeral service program; Commissioner of Education certificate attached |
| Internship Verification | Reyes & Sons Funeral Home; preceptor Maria Delgado, JP01234; 2 years, signed |
| Background Questions | NO to all |
| Fee Enclosed | $50.00 application fee by check, exam fee separate |
Scenario B: Priya Anand, applying to sit for the Jurisprudence Exam. Priya passed both NBE sections and now applies to take New Jersey’s state law exam before the July date.
| Form Section | What Priya Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | Application to sit for Mortuary Jurisprudence Examination |
| Full Legal Name | ANAND, PRIYA |
| Date of Birth | 11/02/1999 (passport copy attached) |
| Residency Proof | NJ lease showing 6+ months residency attached |
| NBE Results | Arts and Sciences both passed; score reports attached |
| Exam Requested | Mortuary Jurisprudence Exam (July sitting) |
| Background Questions | NO to all |
| Oath/Signature | Signed before notary, dated 05/12/2026 |
| Fee Enclosed | $125.00 licensure examination fee by money order |
Scenario C: Robert Klein, out-of-state director seeking licensure by credentials. Robert has held a Pennsylvania funeral director license for nine years and wants to add New Jersey.
| Form Section | What Robert Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | Licensure by Credentials (Out-of-State) |
| Full Legal Name | KLEIN, ROBERT JAMES |
| Out-of-State License | Pennsylvania license number and issue date listed |
| Years Licensed | 9 years active practice (verification letter attached) |
| Education History | Mortuary program and college credits listed with transcripts |
| Exam Requested | New Jersey Mortuary Jurisprudence Exam |
| Background Questions | NO to all |
| Oath/Signature | Signed, notarized, dated |
| Fee Enclosed | Application and exam fees by check |
How to File the Completed Form
New Jersey uses different channels depending on what you are filing, so match the channel to your action. Initial licensure, intern registration, reciprocity, and reinstatement go by mail to the Board; renewals go online. Keep proof of whatever you send, since the Board reviews by hand and a lost packet costs you weeks.
- By mail (initial, intern, reciprocity, reinstatement). Send the signed packet, all attachments, and your check or money order to State Board of Mortuary Science, P.O. Box 45009, Newark, NJ 07101. There is no cash and no credit card by mail, so use a check, certified check, or money order. Use certified mail with return receipt so you have dated proof of filing, and keep a full copy of everything you send.
- In person or by courier. Drop documents at the physical office at 124 Halsey Street, Newark, NJ 07102, when a package is too important to risk in the mail. The same no-cash payment rule applies, so bring a check or money order. Ask for a date-stamped receipt and keep it as your proof of filing.
- Online (renewals only). Renew through the state portal at newjersey.mylicense.com or the renewal portal, where you log in, select your license, and pay the renewal fee by card. Processing is near-immediate once payment clears, and you should save or print the confirmation page as proof.
Processing time for mailed applications varies because each file is reviewed by hand, so a clean packet moves faster than one missing a single document. The Jurisprudence Exam is held in February, July, and October, and complete applications must reach the Board by the end of the month before the exam. Build in that lead time so a slow mail cycle does not push you to the next exam window.
What Happens After You File
Once your packet arrives, a Board reviewer checks every page and every attachment against the requirements. If something is missing or unclear, the Board mails you a letter asking for the specific item, and your file waits until you respond. This is why a complete first submission matters so much; each round of letters adds a full mailing cycle to your timeline.
When your application is approved, the Board clears you for the next step in your path. For exam applicants, that means you receive notice of your eligibility to sit for the Jurisprudence Exam at an approved school. For the practical, a sitting Board member observes your embalming skills at your internship mortuary. Only after you pass the National Board Exam, the Jurisprudence Exam, and the practical does the Board take the steps to issue your practitioner license.
After licensure, the clock starts on keeping it active. Licenses are valid for two years and renew at the Board’s biennial renewal, done online with a renewal fee. You must complete 10 continuing education credits each two-year period, including at least 2 credits in preneed arrangements and at least 3 credits in ethics and New Jersey law, though new licensees may owe less in their first period. Keep your contact information current with the Board, because renewal notices go to the address on file, and a missed renewal can lapse your license.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each field on this application is its own chance to trip, so review the list below before you mail anything. Every mistake here has stalled real applicants.
- Using an outdated or wrong packet. Filing an intern form for licensure routes your file to the wrong reviewer and wastes weeks.
- Name mismatches across documents. A diploma, ID, and exam score that do not match force a manual reconciliation and a hold.
- Leaving fields blank. A blank line reads as an unanswered question, and the Board returns or holds the file.
- Wrong date format. Entering DD/MM/YYYY instead of MM/DD/YYYY can make dates look invalid and bounce the field back.
- Forgetting the Commissioner of Education certificate. Without this official proof, the Board cannot verify your schooling and stops review.
- Submitting unsigned internship verification. An attestation without your supervising licensee’s signature counts as no proof at all.
- Sending cash. The Board takes no cash, so a cash payment gets the whole packet returned.
- Paying the wrong fee amount. An incorrect amount delays the file until the Board contacts you to fix it.
- Hiding a past conviction. A discovered omission can be treated as fraud and bar you from licensure permanently.
- Missing the exam application cutoff. Late applications push you to the next February, July, or October exam window.
- Forgetting to sign or date the oath. An unsigned or undated application cannot be accepted and is mailed back.
- Listing a work email you may lose. A stale contact cuts off the Board mid-review and can stall your file.
Do’s and Don’ts
These quick rules capture the habits that keep an application moving. Each carries a reason so you know why it matters.
Do: – Do request the specific application in writing first, because the Board logs your request and mails the correct current packet. – Do gather every document before you start, since the Board approves complete files faster. – Do print clearly in black ink or type, because a reviewer who cannot read a field must stop and ask. – Do disclose any yes answer fully, since honesty with details beats a discovered omission every time. – Do mail by certified mail with return receipt, so you hold dated proof your packet arrived. – Do keep a full copy of everything you send, because you may need to resend if a document is lost.
Don’t: – Don’t send cash, since the Board rejects it and returns the packet. – Don’t leave any field blank, because the Board treats a blank as an unanswered question. – Don’t use a nickname or old name, since name mismatches trigger manual holds. – Don’t pre-sign the notarized oath, because a signature made before the notary is invalid. – Don’t guess at the fee, since the wrong amount stalls the file until corrected. – Don’t wait until the exam cutoff, because slow mail can push you to the next exam date.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most applicants file on their own, but some lean on a mentor, employer, or attorney for the harder parts. Weigh the trade-offs below for your situation.
Pros of filing on your own: – Lower cost, because you avoid any fee a professional would charge. – Full control, since you handle each document and know exactly what was sent. – Faster start, as you can mail the day your documents are ready. – Better learning, because completing it yourself teaches the rules you will live by as a licensee. – Direct contact, since the Board communicates with you and not a middle person.
Cons of filing on your own: – Higher error risk, because a first-time filer may miss a certificate or a signature. – No second set of eyes to catch a name mismatch before mailing. – Slower fixes, since you learn the rules by trial and error rather than experience. – Stress under deadlines, especially near an exam cutoff. – Harder background disclosures, where a misjudged answer can cause real harm without guidance.
FAQs
Do I need a separate license to embalm and to direct funerals in New Jersey?
No. New Jersey issues one combined practitioner of mortuary science license that covers both funeral directing and embalming under the State Board of Mortuary Science.
Do I have to be a U.S. citizen and New Jersey resident to apply?
Yes. The standard path requires U.S. citizenship and New Jersey residency, including living in the state for at least six months before the exam and during your internship.
Do I write my maiden name or my current legal name in the name field?
No, not your maiden name unless it is still legal. Use your current legal name and attach proof of any name change so records match.
Do I list a P.O. Box or a street address in the residential address field?
No, a P.O. Box cannot replace your home address. List a physical residential address to prove New Jersey residency; a P.O. Box may only be added as mailing.
Do I sign the oath section before I see the notary?
No. Sign the notarized oath only in front of the notary, because a signature made beforehand makes the verification invalid.
Do I answer the conviction questions if my record was expunged?
Yes, disclose and explain rather than assume. The Board cross-checks records, and a hidden matter is far more damaging than an old offense you explain.
Do I have to pass a New Jersey exam if I passed the National Board Exam?
Yes. You must also pass the New Jersey Mortuary Jurisprudence Exam on state law and complete an in-person embalming practical.
Do I pay one flat fee for everything?
No. New Jersey charges separate fees, including a $50 application fee and a $125 licensure exam fee, set in N.J.A.C. 13:36-1.6.
Do I file my renewal by mail like my first application?
No. Renewals are done online through the state license portal, while initial licensure and most other actions are filed by mail.
Do I need continuing education before my first renewal?
Yes, eventually, but new licensees may owe less in their first period. Active directors need 10 credits every two years, including ethics and New Jersey law hours.
Do I send the application fee in cash to save time?
No. The Board takes no cash; pay by check or money order made out to the State Board of Mortuary Science.
Do out-of-state funeral directors have to redo the internship and national exam?
No, not always. Licensure by credentials can waive some steps if you held a valid out-of-state license for at least two years, but you must pass New Jersey’s Jurisprudence Exam.
Do I need my supervisor’s signature on the internship section?
Yes. Only a sworn, signed statement from your licensed New Jersey supervising funeral director counts; an unsigned attestation is treated as no proof.
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