How to Apply for Certification

1. Review the Table Comparison below to determine which certification category is most applicable for you.

Table Comparison of CFSB Certification Criteria (PDF format)

2. Download and print the appropriate Application and affidavit forms for MSP, CFD, CET or INT.

3. Review and complete both pages of the Application form.

4. Affidavit form should be submitted with MSP, CFD and CET applications to confirm the period of supervised internship and cases handled.. The affidavit must be completed by a currently certified MSP (or licensed funeral service practitioner in another state) and must also be notarized.

5. Documentation to be included with applications may include:

• Transcripts from all education institutions

  • High school transcript, diploma or GED equivalency

  • College transcripts (60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours which may include mortuary science training)

  • Mortuary Science School transcripts (completion at an ABFSE accredited school)

• National Board Exam results from the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards. (You must contact The Conference to order an official statement; scores will be sent directly to the CFSB.)

• Copy of your current license(s) if  license is held in another state.

• Letter from the state licensing authority attesting to your standing with home state licensing board.

• Verification of occupational practice for five (5) consecutive years of active practice in the licensed profession, evidenced by letters of recommendations from three (3) funeral directors with equivalent licenses in your home state.

6. Return completed Application form along with appropriate documentation and check payable to the Colorado Funeral Service Board. Certification fee for MSP, CFD, CET or INT is $65; the fee is $85 if applying for both CFD and CET.

7. All documentation and payment must be received before applications are considered for approval. All applicant materials must be in English – foreign language translation is the responsibility of the applicant.

8. Applications are reviewed by the CFSB Board on a quarterly basis on the second Tuesday in February, May, August and November. Applications must be received at the CFSB office at least 3 weeks prior to the quarterly meeting, or the application may be deferred for consideration at the next quarterly meeting.

9. Applicants will be notified by mail within three weeks after the quarterly meeting about the status of their application. A certificate will be mailed to the applicant if the certification is approved.

10. Application fees will cover certification through December of the current year. Applications approved at the November quarterly meeting will be certified through December of the following year. If certification is not approved, application fees will be returned to the applicant.

11. Certifications must be renewal annually. Renewal notices are mailed to certified professionals in November and must be paid by January 30 to avoid lapse.

12. Certified professionals will be required to earn at least six (6) hours of continuing education each year to maintain Active status. Evidence (such as a certificate of attendance) must be returned with the annual renewal notice to document CE participation.

Please Note: The Colorado Funeral Directors Association/Colorado Funeral Service Board does not maintain files for individuals who were previously licensed by the State of Colorado, or records of individuals who were previously certified under the Mortuary Science Commission.

Application Forms

Mortuary Science Practitioner (MSP)

• Application Form for MSP (PDF format)
  

Certified Funeral Director (CFD)

• Application form for CFD (PDF format)

Certified Embalming Technician (CET)

• Application form for CET (PDF format)

Internship

• Colorado Intern Application (PDF format)

 

 

Table Comparison of CFSB Certifications                   return to top

For information on requirements of other states or the names of other accredited Schools of Mortuary Science contact: 

• International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards (ICFSEB) www.cfseb.org 
• National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) www.nfda.org 
• American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) www.abfse.org