West VirginiaWest Virginia sets funeral director licensing and training rules
Starting July 1, 2026, West Virginia’s law sets funeral director training requirements and allows experienced workers to seek an emeritus license.
What it does
Funeral director applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and complete a supervised, one-year apprenticeship. They must document at least 35 arrangements and 35 funeral or memorial services, and pass the state exam.
When a funeral home’s licensee in charge position becomes vacant, the board may let an eligible licensee serve provisionally while credentials are obtained or a replacement is chosen.
Workers age 65 or older with at least 10 years of licensed experience may get an emeritus license by applying and paying a fee. It carries their previous license’s rights and waives continuing education.
Argument forExperienced funeral service workers who are at least 65 could keep their prior license rights with fewer renewal demands and no continuing education.
Argument againstThe degree, apprenticeship, and case requirements could make it harder for some people to qualify as funeral directors.
More detail
The board must issue a funeral director license to an applicant who meets the listed requirements. These requirements apply to applicants for a West Virginia funeral director license. Applicants must pay the required fees. The apprenticeship must be steady work, documented in a board-approved log, and not a side job. The applicant must pass the state laws, rules, and regulations exam with an average score of at least 75 percent. A funeral director license issued before July 1, 2022, must be renewed under this article.
The board may grant provisional authority for an eligible licensee to serve as licensee in charge. This applies when a funeral establishment’s licensee in charge position becomes vacant. The board may grant authority while credentials are obtained or a new licensee in charge is designated. Provisional authority may last up to 90 days after the vacancy.
The board must issue an emeritus license to an eligible worker who applies and pays a fee. This applies to licensed embalmers, funeral directors, and funeral service licensees. The applicant must be at least 65 and have at least 10 years of experience as a licensed embalmer, funeral director, or funeral service licensee. The emeritus license carries the rights of the worker’s prior license and exempts the holder from continuing education. The board may require emeritus license renewal no more often than once every four years.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 29Chapter 257, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Mar 30Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/27/2026Major
- Mar 25To Governor 3/25/2026To Governor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/27/2026 - Senate JournalMajor
- Vote recorded EFFECT Jul 01, 2026. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded PASSAGE-SENATE AMENDED HB. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/27/2026 - House JournalBecame Law
- Mar 14To Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate JournalMinor
- Mar 14House Message received
- Mar 14Completed legislative action
- Mar 14Communicated to Senate
- Mar 14Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 636)
- Mar 14House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 635)
- Mar 14House received Senate message
- Mar 12Senate requests House to concur
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Effective July 1, 2026. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 482)
- Mar 12Passed Senate (Roll No. 481)Passed Senate
- Mar 12Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Mar 12Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 12On 3rd reading with right to amend, com. amend pending
- Mar 11Senate reconsidered adoption of com. amendment (Voice vote)
- Mar 11Deferred until foot of 2nd reading
- Mar 11Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11On 2nd reading
- Mar 10Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 10Immediate consideration
- Mar 10Reported do pass, with amendmentMinor
- Feb 27To Government OrganizationMinor
- Feb 27To Government OrganizationMinor
- Feb 27Introduced in SenateMinor
- Feb 26Communicated to Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded EFFECT Jul 01, 2026. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 26Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 203)
- Feb 26Passed House (Roll No. 202)Passed House
- Feb 26Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 26On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 25Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 25On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 24Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 24On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 23By substitute, do pass
- Jan 16To House Government AdminstrationMinor
- Jan 16To House Government OrganizationMinor
- Jan 16Introduced in HouseMinor
- Jan 16To Government OrganizationMinor
- Jan 16Filed for introductionIntroduced
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