Acts & Regulations

A list of the Acts and Regulations which govern the funeral directing and embalming professions.

Applications and professional information

All professional information and forms can now be reviewed and downloaded on this web site. If you have any problems, please contact the office.

CEC Information

Please see our list of pre-approved continuing education credits, including courses available on-line.

COVID-19

Important information and resources for funeral professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic

Apprentice Funeral Director Information

Embalmers and Funeral Directors Board
 
Apprentice Funeral Director Registration
 
Who Needs This Registration?
 
Anyone who wants to act as an apprentice funeral director and train in Nova Scotia.
 
Issuing Department / Agency:
 
The Nova Scotia Board of Registration of Embalmers and Funeral Directors
 
Where can you get this Registration and / or further information?
 
The Nova Scotia Board of Registration of Embalmers and Funeral Directors
C/O Kortney Adams, Executive Manager
168 Hobsons Lake Drive, Suite 301,
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3S 0G4
 
Email: kortneyadams@nsbrefd.com
Telephone: (902) 407 - 6001
 
Application Forms & Process:
 
You can get an application form in the following ways:
  1. Create an account through the applicant/licensee online protal and submit your appliation online. The online portal can be found here
  2. Downloading from our Forms and Applications page
  3. Visiting any Access Nova Scotia Centre
  4. Calling, mailing, or emailing the Board of Registration of Embalmers and Funeral Directors
  • Applications and supporting documentation can be submitted through the new online applicant and licensee portal found here. Alternatively, you can send in a hard copy or submit the completed application to the Board electronically by, along with the applicable fee (see Price below), and supporting documentation..
 
The apprenticeship includes academic and practical training, and both written and practical examinations.
 
Applicants for registration as an apprentice funeral director must:
  1. It is the responsibility of the applicant to send in with their application, proof of valid Class 5 driver's license, a criminal record check completed within the last 90 days, proof of completion of high school or equivalent, the applicable fee, and signed Mentor Agreement to request mentor approval by the Board.
  2. Applicants must be 19 years of age or older at the time of application.
  3. During the course of apprenticeship, if approved, the apprentice is required to complete a combination of academic/practical apprentice training and experience. The minimum requirement for practical experience is that the apprentice (under the direct supervision of their approved, licensed mentor) conduct: 25 funerals, 25 committals, assist in 25 arrangements with their licensed, approved mentor, and conduct 25 arrangements. Apprentices must keep a detailed log of their activities and it must be reviewed, confirmed, and signed by the licensed, approved funeral director mentor.
  4. Once the apprentice has completed the minimum apprenticeship duration (12 months) and once the apprentice has conducted the minimum number of funeral director cases as detailed above, the apprentice can apply to complete the written examination. Examination applications and exam fees must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the written examination. Apprentices must successfully pass both written and practical examinations. The pass mark for these examinations is 75%. If all requirements are met and the application is approved, the license will be sent to the employer by mail.
Waiting Period:
 
This license is normally processed within 14 working days, , once all the items which must accompany the application have been received, and all requirements are met.
 
(Please allow several extra days for mail delivery.)
 
Expiry:
 
This registration is valid for 1 (one) year from the date it was issued, depending upon academic qualifications.
 
Fees:
 
Apprentice licensing fee: $100.00
Written exam: $100.00
Practical Exam: $200.00
Funeral Director or Embalmer Licensing Fee: $200.00
Supplement exam (written or practical): $200.00
Mortuary Law Exam : $250.00
 
Please pay by cheque or money order made out to the N.S. Board of Registration of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. E-mail money transfers can be sent to kortneyadams@nsbrefd.com. If you are paying through the online portal you also have the option to pay by cheque, money order, or email money transfer by selecting "offline" payment, or by credit card through the online portal application.
 
Statue of Limitation Policies      APPROVED March 6, 2019
 
  • A license lapsed for three (3) years or more, whether it be a funeral director or embalmer will re-do their written exam and do their clinical or practical exam over again and pass with a mark of 75% on both.
  •  
  • Apprentice funeral directors or embalmers will be suspended if their written exam and reports are not completed in three (3) years from the date of registering.
  •  
  • Practical or clinical exams for apprentice funeral directors or embalmers must be completed within a three (3) year period from the date that the written exam was completed and passed.
  •  
Additional Information:
 
Who is regulated under the Embalmers and Funeral Directors Act?
 
Individuals regulated under this Act, as listed below, are under the jurisdiction of the Nova Scotia Board of Registration of Embalmers and Funeral Directors.
 
Definitions:
  1. Embalmer - any person who preserves a dead human body.
  2. Funeral Director - any person who, for gain or profit, takes charge of a dead human body for the purposes of burial, cremation, removal, or other disposition.
  3. Apprentice Embalmers and Funeral Directors - individuals training to obtain the necessary qualifications to obtain a license under this Act.
Licenses are issued to apprentice embalmers and apprentice funeral directors are registered with the Board.
 
What is regulated?
 
  1. The academic and practical experience that an individual must possess to qualify for a license under this Act.
  2. The standards of business practice of embalmers and funeral directors.
Legislative Authority:
 
The Embalmers and Funeral Directors Act, Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1989, Chapter 144