Alabama Board of Funeral Service State Law Exam
Questions and Answers| Funeral Director Licensing Prep
QUESTION 1
Which governmental body is directly responsible for regulating funeral service practices in the
state of Alabama?
A. Alabama Department of Health
B. Alabama Board of Funeral Service
C. Alabama Department of Commerce
D. Alabama Licensing Bureau
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The Alabama Board of Funeral Service is the official state agency tasked with
licensing, regulating, and enforcing the laws governing funeral establishments, funeral directors,
and embalmers.
QUESTION 2
How many members serve on the Alabama Board of Funeral Service?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 9
D. 11
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The Alabama Board of Funeral Service is composed of seven members appointed by
the Governor, ensuring representation from both funeral directors and embalmers across
various districts.
QUESTION 3
,What is the minimum age requirement to become a licensed funeral director in Alabama?
A. 18 years old
B. 19 years old
C. 21 years old
D. 25 years old
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Under Alabama law, a person must be at least 19 years of age—the state’s age of
majority—to be eligible for funeral director licensure.
QUESTION 4
According to Alabama law, how long is an initial funeral director’s license valid before renewal?
A. One year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Four years
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Licenses issued by the Alabama Board of Funeral Service are valid for a two-year
period and must be renewed biennially to remain in effect.
QUESTION 5
A funeral establishment license in Alabama must be renewed by which date each renewal
cycle?
A. January 1
B. February 15
C. October 1
D. December 31
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The Alabama Board of Funeral Service requires establishment licenses to be
renewed by October 1 of each renewal year. Failure to renew results in immediate lapse of
authority to operate.
,QUESTION 6
What is the penalty for operating a funeral establishment without a valid license in Alabama?
A. Written warning
B. Administrative fine only
C. Misdemeanor offense with possible fine or imprisonment
D. License suspension only
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Operating without a valid license constitutes a misdemeanor under Alabama law
and may be punishable by fines and/or imprisonment, in addition to administrative penalties.
QUESTION 7
To qualify as a licensed embalmer in Alabama, the applicant must successfully complete a
program in:
A. Mortuary Science approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
B. Mortuary Science accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education
C. Business Administration accredited by the ABA
D. Any associate degree program
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Applicants for embalmer licensure must graduate from an ABFSE-accredited
mortuary science program, which ensures standardized professional education and competency.
QUESTION 8
After death occurs, within how many hours must a funeral establishment file the death
certificate with the proper authority in Alabama?
A. 24 hours
B. 36 hours
C. 72 hours
D. 5 business days
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Under state law, the death certificate must be filed within 72 hours of death to
facilitate proper recordation and provide authorization for final disposition.
, QUESTION 9
Which legal document authorizes the embalming of a human body in Alabama?
A. Death certificate
B. Embalming permit signed by the family or legal representative
C. Disposition permit
D. Board of Funeral Service authorization
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: An embalming authorization form must be signed by the next of kin or legally
authorized individual before embalming may proceed, in compliance with state law and ethical
standards.
QUESTION 10
According to Alabama law, before final disposition, the body must be embalmed or properly
refrigerated if retained beyond:
A. 12 hours
B. 24 hours
C. 36 hours
D. 48 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: If the remains are not to be embalmed, Alabama regulations require refrigeration
at or below prescribed temperatures after 48 hours to prevent decom
QUESTION 11
A temporary removal of human remains from one location to another for funeral purposes
within Alabama requires what type of authorization?
A. Verbal consent from next of kin
B. Written authorization from the attending physician
C. Removal permit issued by the funeral establishment
D. Death certificate
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Questions and Answers| Funeral Director Licensing Prep
QUESTION 1
Which governmental body is directly responsible for regulating funeral service practices in the
state of Alabama?
A. Alabama Department of Health
B. Alabama Board of Funeral Service
C. Alabama Department of Commerce
D. Alabama Licensing Bureau
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The Alabama Board of Funeral Service is the official state agency tasked with
licensing, regulating, and enforcing the laws governing funeral establishments, funeral directors,
and embalmers.
QUESTION 2
How many members serve on the Alabama Board of Funeral Service?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 9
D. 11
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The Alabama Board of Funeral Service is composed of seven members appointed by
the Governor, ensuring representation from both funeral directors and embalmers across
various districts.
QUESTION 3
,What is the minimum age requirement to become a licensed funeral director in Alabama?
A. 18 years old
B. 19 years old
C. 21 years old
D. 25 years old
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Under Alabama law, a person must be at least 19 years of age—the state’s age of
majority—to be eligible for funeral director licensure.
QUESTION 4
According to Alabama law, how long is an initial funeral director’s license valid before renewal?
A. One year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Four years
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Licenses issued by the Alabama Board of Funeral Service are valid for a two-year
period and must be renewed biennially to remain in effect.
QUESTION 5
A funeral establishment license in Alabama must be renewed by which date each renewal
cycle?
A. January 1
B. February 15
C. October 1
D. December 31
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The Alabama Board of Funeral Service requires establishment licenses to be
renewed by October 1 of each renewal year. Failure to renew results in immediate lapse of
authority to operate.
,QUESTION 6
What is the penalty for operating a funeral establishment without a valid license in Alabama?
A. Written warning
B. Administrative fine only
C. Misdemeanor offense with possible fine or imprisonment
D. License suspension only
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Operating without a valid license constitutes a misdemeanor under Alabama law
and may be punishable by fines and/or imprisonment, in addition to administrative penalties.
QUESTION 7
To qualify as a licensed embalmer in Alabama, the applicant must successfully complete a
program in:
A. Mortuary Science approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
B. Mortuary Science accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education
C. Business Administration accredited by the ABA
D. Any associate degree program
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Applicants for embalmer licensure must graduate from an ABFSE-accredited
mortuary science program, which ensures standardized professional education and competency.
QUESTION 8
After death occurs, within how many hours must a funeral establishment file the death
certificate with the proper authority in Alabama?
A. 24 hours
B. 36 hours
C. 72 hours
D. 5 business days
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Under state law, the death certificate must be filed within 72 hours of death to
facilitate proper recordation and provide authorization for final disposition.
, QUESTION 9
Which legal document authorizes the embalming of a human body in Alabama?
A. Death certificate
B. Embalming permit signed by the family or legal representative
C. Disposition permit
D. Board of Funeral Service authorization
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: An embalming authorization form must be signed by the next of kin or legally
authorized individual before embalming may proceed, in compliance with state law and ethical
standards.
QUESTION 10
According to Alabama law, before final disposition, the body must be embalmed or properly
refrigerated if retained beyond:
A. 12 hours
B. 24 hours
C. 36 hours
D. 48 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: If the remains are not to be embalmed, Alabama regulations require refrigeration
at or below prescribed temperatures after 48 hours to prevent decom
QUESTION 11
A temporary removal of human remains from one location to another for funeral purposes
within Alabama requires what type of authorization?
A. Verbal consent from next of kin
B. Written authorization from the attending physician
C. Removal permit issued by the funeral establishment
D. Death certificate
CORRECT ANSWER: C
