Vital statistics: death certificates and permits 14
A body arrives from another state with a burial permit issued where the death occurred. What else is needed to bury it in Pennsylvania?Answer: Nothing more; no local registrar's indorsement is needed. Source: Vital Statistics Law of 1953, Section 505
A body has not been positively identified. Before a certificate of death is issued, to whom is a DNA sample submitted?Answer: The Pennsylvania State Police. Source: Vital Statistics Law of 1953, Section 506.1
A professional nurse pronounces a death under Section 507. Who remains responsible for determining the cause of death?Answer: The physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or coroner. Source: Vital Statistics Law of 1953, Section 507
After an interment or cremation, how soon must the sexton return the endorsed permit to the registrar?Answer: Within ten days. Source: Vital Statistics Law of 1953, Section 504
After holding cremated remains for more than how long may a funeral director act to find out whether they are a veteran's?Answer: 120 days from the cremation. Source: Vital Statistics Law of 1953, Section 506.2
Show all 75 questions (70 more)
Vital statistics: death certificates and permits, continued
In every instance, the certificate of death must be filed before what happens?Answer: A permit for interment or other disposition is issued. Source: Vital Statistics Law of 1953, Section 501
No health regulation may require the top of the outer case holding a casket to be buried more than what distance below the natural surface?Answer: Two feet. Source: Vital Statistics Law of 1953, Section 506
The physician who would supply the medical certification is a member of the deceased's immediate family. What does the law require?Answer: The case is referred to another qualified practitioner. Source: Vital Statistics Law of 1953, Section 502
To whom may a registrar issue blank presigned permits for disposal?Answer: The funeral director only. Source: Vital Statistics Law of 1953, Section 504
What must be issued before any person disposes of a dead body in Pennsylvania?Answer: A permit for disposal from a local registrar or the State Registrar. Source: Vital Statistics Law of 1953, Section 504
Which of these deaths must be referred to the coroner under Section 503?Answer: A death whose circumstances suggest it was sudden, violent or suspicious. Source: Vital Statistics Law of 1953, Section 503
Who supplies the personal information about the deceased for the certificate of death?Answer: The person best acquainted with the facts. Source: Vital Statistics Law of 1953, Section 502
Whose duty is it to file the certificate of death with a local registrar or the State Registrar?Answer: The person in charge of interment or of removing the body from the registration district. Source: Vital Statistics Law of 1953, Section 501
Within what time after a death in Pennsylvania must the certificate of death be filed?Answer: Four business days. Source: Vital Statistics Law of 1953, Section 501
The Funeral Director Law (the Act) 21
A Board member forfeits the seat after failing to attend how many consecutive meetings, unless excused?Answer: Three. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 19
A funeral director accepts money on a contract with a living person for funeral services when needed. What must be done with the money?Answer: It goes forthwith into escrow or trust at a Pennsylvania banking institution. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 13
A funeral director's license is revoked. When may the person reapply for a license?Answer: At the end of a five-year period. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 11
A licensee dies. For how long may the Board license the estate to carry on the practice?Answer: Not more than three years. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 8
A restricted corporation stops meeting the conditions of its license. How long does it have to cure the failure?Answer: 60 days. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 8
A sole proprietor wants to keep the name of a predecessor funeral establishment. What does Section 8 require?Answer: The owner's name must appear as operator on all signs, forms and advertising. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 8
After a licensee dies, within how many days must the widow, widower or estate tell the Board in writing of the intent to continue the practice?Answer: Ten. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 8
Besides one principal place, how many branch places of business may a licensee practice at?Answer: No more than one. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 8
The Board's inspectors must be licensed funeral directors who have actively practiced for how long?Answer: At least ten years. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 16
For how long may the widow or widower of a deceased licensee be licensed to continue the practice?Answer: Without time limitation. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 8
How many bodies must each resident interne completely embalm under the Law?Answer: At least 25. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 3
How many hours of mandatory continuing education does the Law require in each two-year license period?Answer: 6. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 10
How many licensed funeral directors does the Governor appoint to the State Board of Funeral Directors?Answer: Five. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 19
How old must an applicant for a Pennsylvania funeral director license be under Section 3 of the Law?Answer: At least 21. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 3
On what day do Pennsylvania funeral directors' licenses expire, every second year?Answer: The first day of February. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 10
Under whose supervision must the practice carried on by a licensee's estate, widow or widower be?Answer: A licensed funeral director employed on a full time basis. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 8
What does Section 7 of the Law say about food in a funeral establishment?Answer: No food or intoxicating beverages shall be served. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 7
What is the largest fine a court may impose for a misdemeanor violation of the Funeral Director Law?Answer: $1,000. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 17
When may an unlicensed member of the funeral home staff make tentative funeral arrangements after a death?Answer: When the licensed funeral director is temporarily absent. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 13
Which of these is a ground for suspension or revocation under Section 11 of the Law?Answer: Accepting a rebate for sending a body to a particular cemetery. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 11
Who may prepare or embalm the body of a deceased person under Section 13 of the Law?Answer: A licensed funeral director or a resident interne. Source: Funeral Director Law, Section 13
Board regulations (49 Pa. Code Chapter 13) 25
A family that owes money asks that the remains be released to another funeral director. What is refusing until payment is made?Answer: Unprofessional conduct. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.202
A licensee changes mailing address. Within how many days must the Board be notified?Answer: 15 days. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.231
A prepaid burial account earns interest. What happens to the interest?Answer: It stays in the account with the principal. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.226
At what temperature must remains kept under refrigeration over 24 hours beyond death be maintained?Answer: Between 35° and 40°F. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.201
Besides a preparation room and a proper area for reposing remains, what must every funeral establishment contain?Answer: Restroom facilities. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.94
For how long must the funeral director retain the signed copy of the written agreement with the records of the transaction?Answer: 6 years. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.204
For more than how many days may a funeral director not retain a dead human body without special permission from the Board?Answer: 10 days. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.184
How long is an "hour of continuing education" in the Board's definitions?Answer: Sixty minutes of actual instruction. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.1
How long must a resident intern serve in that capacity under the Board's regulation?Answer: 12 full continuous months. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.51
How many hours per week must a resident intern work, at a minimum?Answer: 40. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.51
How must a body be positioned when a funeral director transports it?Answer: Horizontal, face-up and covered from public view. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.213
Human remains are held more than 24 hours beyond death. Unless a religious belief or medical examination conflicts, what must be done?Answer: They are embalmed, sealed in a container that holds fumes and odors, or refrigerated. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.201
In which subject may continuing education credit NOT be earned?Answer: Office management or marketing. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.403
Of the continuing education required in each biennial period, how much must be approved courses in child abuse recognition and reporting?Answer: At least 2 hours. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.401
On how many deceased individuals, 1 year of age or older, must a resident intern complete the required details and keep a case history?Answer: A minimum of 35. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.52
Refrigerated remains are removed from refrigeration. Within how many hours must they be buried, cremated or entombed?Answer: 5 hours. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.201
Renting an establishment for funeral services more often than what is evidence of trying to create a secondary location?Answer: Over 10 times a year. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.202
Under normal circumstances, the public should not view an unembalmed body that has been refrigerated for longer than how many hours?Answer: 36 hours. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.201
Under the Board's regulation, how long after the time of death may a dead human body be cremated?Answer: At any time after 24 hours. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.212
Under the Board's regulation, what form of permission to embalm is acceptable?Answer: Written permission, or oral permission followed by written confirmation. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.202
Unlicensed staff make tentative arrangements while the funeral director is absent. Within what time must a licensed funeral director ratify them?Answer: 48 hours. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.205
What share of the money received under a prepaid burial contract must be deposited in escrow or trust?Answer: 100%. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.224
When must the signed statement of funeral goods and services be given to the family representative?Answer: At the time of arrangements, before the disposition. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.204
Within how many days must a funeral director report a fulfilled prepaid contract?Answer: 30 days. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.224
Within how many days must a funeral director report a new prepaid contract to the Board?Answer: 90 days. Source: 49 Pa. Code 13.224
Federal Trade Commission Funeral Rule 15
A funeral provider arranges direct cremations. What must it make available for them?Answer: An alternative container. Source: 16 CFR 453.4
A person asks in person about funeral goods and prices. When must the funeral provider give the general price list?Answer: Upon beginning discussion of prices, the type of funeral or specific goods and services. Source: 16 CFR 453.2
A person telephones a funeral provider to ask about prices. What does the Funeral Rule require?Answer: Accurate information from the price lists. Source: 16 CFR 453.2
A provider adds its own charge to a cash advance item. What must the itemized statement say?Answer: That the provider charges for its services in obtaining the item. Source: 16 CFR 453.3
A provider embalms after due diligence fails to reach the family and it has no reason to think they object. To charge a fee, what must it obtain?Answer: Subsequent approval for the embalming already performed. Source: 16 CFR 453.5
By what point must a funeral provider offer the casket price list to a person who asks in person about caskets?Answer: Before showing the caskets. Source: 16 CFR 453.2
For how long does the Funeral Rule require a provider to keep copies of its price lists after their last distribution?Answer: At least one year. Source: 16 CFR 453.6
In the Funeral Rule, what separates a "memorial service" from a "funeral ceremony"?Answer: The body is not present at a memorial service. Source: 16 CFR 453.1
To which business does the Funeral Rule say it does not apply?Answer: The business of insurance. Source: 16 CFR 453.8
What is a "direct cremation" in the Funeral Rule?Answer: Cremation without formal viewing, visitation or ceremony with the body present. Source: 16 CFR 453.1
What must a funeral provider disclose about outer burial containers?Answer: That in most areas law does not require one, though many cemeteries do. Source: 16 CFR 453.3
When must the itemized statement of funeral goods and services selected be given?Answer: At the conclusion of the discussion of arrangements. Source: 16 CFR 453.2
Which claim about funeral goods does the Funeral Rule name as deceptive?Answer: That the goods will delay natural decomposition for a long-term or indefinite time. Source: 16 CFR 453.3
Which describes an "alternative container" in the Funeral Rule?Answer: An unfinished wood box or other non-metal receptacle without ornamentation. Source: 16 CFR 453.1
Which fee is the only one the Funeral Rule permits to be non-declinable, unless law requires otherwise?Answer: The fee for basic services of funeral director and staff. Source: 16 CFR 453.2
How this list was compiled: The Funeral Director Law, Act of January 14, 1952 (P.L. 1898, No. 522), with amendments through October 31, 2024 (https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/PDF/1951/0/0522..PDF), and Article V of the Vital Statistics Law of 1953, with amendments through July 20, 2026 (https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/PDF/1953/0/0066..PDF), both read on October 15, 2026 on the General Assembly's site; the State Board of Funeral Directors' regulations, 49 Pa. Code Chapter 13, read the same day in the online Pennsylvania Code (https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/049/chapter13/chap13toc.html); and the Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule, 16 CFR Part 453, read the same day in the eCFR. The four topics follow the content outline of the Funeral Director Jurisprudence examination in the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Candidate Information Bulletin, August 2026 (https://www.pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/publications/283930.pdf). Each question names its section. Licence: Own work. Every question, every wrong choice and every explanation was written for this site from the text of the section it cites. Short quoted phrases are from Pennsylvania's statutes and regulations and from the Code of Federal Regulations, which are public. Nothing is taken from the state's examination, from the examination vendor or from any study guide or other practice test.
How it works
This unofficial study guide for the PA funeral directors state board exam is 75 practice questions of our own on the Funeral Director Jurisprudence examination. Not affiliated with the Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors or its examination vendor.
Read the full guide
What the state board exams are
The August 2026 candidate bulletin describes two separate exams of 60 minutes each: the Funeral Director Jurisprudence examination and the Written Practical examination, the second with 35 scored and 5 pretest questions.
What is here, and what is not
Four topics: death certificates and permits under the Vital Statistics Law, the Funeral Director Law, the Board's regulations in 49 Pa. Code Chapter 13, and the federal Funeral Rule. The Written Practical exam is not asked here.
A death certificate is filed within four business days, before any disposal permit is issued (Vital Statistics Law, Section 501).
A resident intern serves 12 continuous months, at least 40 hours a week, on a minimum of 35 cases (49 Pa. Code 13.51, 13.52).
Pennsylvania keeps the signed written agreement 6 years; the federal Funeral Rule asks one year for price lists (13.204, 16 CFR 453.6).
Questions and answers
Is there a study guide for the PA funeral directors state board exam?
The official guide is the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Candidate Information Bulletin, which gives the content outlines. This page is unofficial practice on the Jurisprudence outline: 75 questions, each naming the section of law behind its answer.
What should a PA state funeral board test study guide cover?
For the Jurisprudence exam the bulletin lists vital statistics, the regulations in the Code and the Act, and the Federal Trade Commission rule. For the Written Practical exam it lists restorative arts, body preparation and mortuary science, and disease control and safety precautions.
How many questions are on the Pennsylvania funeral director jurisprudence exam?
50: 45 scored and 5 unscored pretest questions, with 60 minutes to finish, by the August 2026 bulletin. Each question has four answer options, and an unanswered question is marked as incorrect.
What is the passing score on the PA funeral director exams?
The bulletin gives a passing scaled score of 75 on a scale of 0 to 100. A scaled score is not the number or the percentage of questions answered correctly, so the practice exam here shows a score and no verdict.