What Kind of Degree Do You Need to Be a Mortician in Texas?
- The Texas Workforce Commission requires all prospective morticians to hold a high school diploma or the equivalent, such as proof of passing the GED examination. Prospective morticians must have graduated from an accredited school of mortuary science. The commission will accept a diploma, certificate or degree issued from any school with the necessary accreditation.
- The Texas Workforce Commission only recognizes schools accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Individuals may attend any school approved by the board in the United States; Texas is home to four accredited schools. Two of these are public, community colleges: Amarillo College in Amarillo and San Antonio College in San Antonio. Two are private institutions: the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in Dallas and the Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston. All four institutions grant Associate of Applied Science degrees.
- Candidates for a funeral director or mortician license must send proof of graduation from an accredited school to the Texas Funeral Service Commission. Proof consists of an official transcript sent from the accredited college. Amarillo College and San Antonio College have a free, online request form. The Dallas Institute of Funeral Service has an online form, and charges $5 fee per transcript at the time of publication. The Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service has a downloadable form that alumni must print and return with a $10 fee per transcript at the time of publication.
- Candidates must have a funeral director license from another state or complete a one-year apprenticeship with a licensed funeral director in Texas. Candidates must pass a written examination and criminal background check, which involves professional fingerprinting. Prospective morticians must complete an application, which can be downloaded from the Texas Funeral Service's Commission website. Applicants must include a $95 fee at the time of publication.
