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Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland Senate Bill 510 Alters Education and Examination Requirements for Funeral Directors and Apprentices
Last action · February 3, 2026: Hearing 2/17 at 1:00 p.m.Sponsor: Chris West
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What This Bill Would Do
Maryland Senate Bill 510 modifies education requirements for aspiring funeral directors and apprentices and removes the requirement for a practical examination on body preparation and embalming for funeral director license applicants.
The measure alters licensing prerequisites for individuals seeking to practice funeral direction or serve as licensed apprentices within Maryland, taking effect October 1, 2026.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
individuals applying for a funeral director license
Applicants face modified educational credit hour requirements and are exempt from specific practical examination components regarding body preparation and embalming.
licensed apprentices
Apprentices assisting licensed funeral directors must be enrolled in or graduated from an accredited or board-approved mortuary science program.
State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors
The Board must administer licensure under updated educational standards and revised practical examination rules.
Key Facts
- Senate Bill 510 alters the education requirements an individual must meet to practice funeral direction or work as a licensed apprentice.
- The bill prohibits the practical examination qualification for a funeral director license from including a practical examination demonstrating competency in the preparation of dead human bodies for final disposition, sanitary science, or embalming.
- Applicants for a funeral director license must have graduated with an associate of arts degree in mortuary science or its equivalent from an accredited or approved school, or acquired at least an associate of arts degree and completed a board-approved mortuary science course.
- An associate of arts degree for funeral director applicants must include a minimum of 60 credit hours in courses relevant to funeral direction, with at least 30 credit hours in a program approved by the Board.
Show all 6 facts
- To assist a licensed funeral director, an apprentice must be enrolled in or have graduated from a mortuary science program at an accredited or board-approved school.
- The Act takes effect on October 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What changes are made to the funeral director licensing examination?
What education is required for a funeral director license under the bill?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.
Procedural history
2 actions- Feb 3, 2026SenateHearing 2/17 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 2, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Finance
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance40How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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