| Updated: |
7/17/2009 |
| Description: |
Note that this is not the Mortuary & Cemetery Board's website.
There are two ways to become licensed as an embalmer in Oregon, either through the apprenticeship program or by reciprocity.
An individual practices as an embalmer if the individual is engaged or purports to be engaged in either of the following: (a) The practice of disinfecting or preserving from decay dead human bodies. (b) Preparing human bodies dead of contagious or infectious disease for transportation by railroad, express company or common carrier.
Only a licensed embalmer or certificated embalmer apprentice shall: (a) Provide the necessary handling and preparation of human remains, e.g. washing, disinfecting, setting features, embalming and supervising dressing; and, (b) Perform the required sanitizing of the preparation room, including but not limited to, embalming tables, work surfaces, sinks, floors, instruments, and handling and properly disposing of contaminated waste.
For more information on the apprenticeship program, view Embalmer Apprentice.
For more information on the reciprocal license, view Embalmer License by Reciprocity. |
| Statutes, Rules, Ordinances: |
ORS 692
OAR 830
|
| Duration: |
2 years |
| Fees - application, exam, etc.: |
$80 or $160 for Embalmer License (Apprenticeship Completion Application) OR
$50 for Embalmer License (through apprenticeship, recognition of experience application), OR
$160 for Application for Embalmer License by Reciprocity.
$80 for renewal
$25 for reissuance |
| Responsible Agency: |
Mortuary and Cemetery Board |
| Examination Information: |
All applications for embalmer licenses by examination, accompanied by the examination fee prescribed by ORS Chapter 692, must be received in the office of the Board at least 30 days before the examination is held, or be postmarked before midnight of that date.
The fee for the embalmer exam (written or practical) is $130 to $400 (depending on the cost to the Board).
The examinations for an embalmer shall be given at least twice each year. If the Board deems it necessary, the applicant for an embalmer's license may also be required to pass an examination testing his qualifications as to the practical application of his knowledge.
An applicant for an embalmer license must obtain a passing score on the Oregon embalmer exam, that shall include two sections, funeral service arts and funeral service sciences, and must receive an average score of at least 75 percent on the sections with not less than 70 percent on either of these two sections. However, Oregon is now able to accept the National Board embalmer examination as administered by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, Inc. (Conference), in lieu of the Oregon embalmer examination.
If an applicant for an embalmer's license fails to satisfactorily complete the examination, he may retake the examination the next time it is given upon payment of the full examination fee. The examination fee shall not be returned to an examinee once he takes the examination. Test results will be mailed to examinees within 30 days after completion of the examination. Exams are not reviewable by examinee, pursuant to the Public Records Act, ORS Chapter 192. |
| Continuing Ed Requirements: |
Although under ORS 692.160(3) the Board has statutory authority to impose continuing education requirements as a prerequisite for licensure, the Board has not yet imposed such requirements. |
| Prerequisites: |
An individual must apply for a license by applying to the Board on an application form provided by the Board. The Board shall issue a license to an individual to practice as an embalmer if the individual is 18 years of age or older, applies for a license and has successfully met the qualifications described in ORS 692.105 or ORS 692.140. |
| Renewals: |
Prerequisites:
The Board shall mail a notice to each licensed embalmer, addressed to the licensee at the licensee's last-known address, a notice that the renewal fee is due and payable and that if the fee is not paid by the renewal date the license shall lapse.
The notice will be mailed on or before November 1, of odd numbered years. The licensed embalmer must complete and return the Notice with the renewal fee by December 31, of odd numbered years.
If the renewal is postmarked after December 31, of odd numbered years, the licensee must include a delinquency fee of $50 per license. Failure to renew and pay all fees within 90 days of December 31, of odd numbered years will result in a permanently lapsed embalmer license.
Application Form:
Notice of License Expiration and License Renewal Application |
| Duplicate: |
A person holding a license shall apply to the Board for reissuance of the license if any of the following occur:- The name of the person changes;
- The location of the funeral establishment, immediate disposition company or crematorium changes;
- The original license, registration or certificate is lost or destroyed; or
- When a person holding a license obtains another license.
Required Documentation:
A signed written request for a reissued license with required fee. |
| Service Links: |
 License Holder Directory
 Embalmer License (recognition of license experience application)
Embalmer License via Reciprocity
Embalmer License via apprenticeship program
Agency Contact Information
|
| Required Documentation: |
Completed application with required documentation. |
| Additional Information: |
Contact information
Licenses will not be issued or renewed unless assessed civil penalties have been paid. |
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| |
Agency Information
|
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Please refer to the Agency Website for further details and additional information.
|
| Agency Name: |
Mortuary and Cemetery Board |
| E-mail Address: |
mortuary.board@state.or.us
|
| Phone: |
971-673-1500
|
| Mail Address: |
Mortuary and Cemetery Board
800 NE Oregon St., Suite 430
Portland, OR 97232
- 2162
|
| Website Information: |
http://www.oregon.gov/MortCem/index.shtml |
