The Colorado Funeral Service Board is no longer accepting applications for CFSB credentials, as of August 2024, due to the upcoming funeral practitioner state licensing requirements. The CFSB will continue to renew existing MSP, CFD, CET until December 31, 2025 to ensure that those that have been certified by the CFSB can have verifiable hours towards the 4000 hour requirement. As of January 1, 2026 the CFSB will no longer exist, the CFDA will adjust and conform to the new normal of Licensed Funeral Practitioner. 

 

In a state that does not license funeral service practitioners, credentialing by the Colorado Funeral Service Board is an important distinction that identifies individuals who have committed to a professional career in funeral service and have pledged to uphold high standards of practice and ethics.

The Colorado Funeral Service Board (CFSB) is a practical credentialing program developed and administered by the Colorado Funeral Directors Association to promote a high level of ethics and practical standards within the funeral service industry in the State of Colorado.

Previously called the "Mortuary Science Commission", the CFSB was created in 1982 by the funeral service industry to promote professionalism under a voluntary system of certification, registration and the development and maintenance of standards.

Individuals must apply for certification and provide evidence of formal education, mortuary college, required on-the-job training, period of supervised internship, and complete a defined skill set to be considered for CFSB certification.

To hold the CFSB Credential, applicants must adhere to CFDA's code of ethics and commit to upholding the integrity and respect of the funeral service profession through formal education, supervised training and internship, ongoing professional development, community involvement.

Once approved, continuing education credit is required and the credential must be renewed each calendar year to remain in good standing with the Colorado Funeral Service Board.

Although CFSB's standards are comparable to other states' licensing requirements, CFSB's credentialing program is not administered by a state regulatory agency and is not required for practice. 

 

Colorado Funeral Service Board Credentials

Certified Mortuary Science Practitioner (CMSP) Certified Funeral Director
(CFD)
Certified Embalming Technician
CET)
Certified
Intern/Trainee
(INT)
Certified Cremation Technician
(CCT)
Official transcripts to evidence at least 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) of credit from academic college or university, and/or mortuary college. Official transcripts to evidence at least 60 semester hours of college credit OR 6 years of CMSP-supervised internship in lieu of college Official transcripts to evidence degree from ABFSE-accredited Mortuary Science program OR 4 years of CMSP-supervised internship in lieu of college Verification of high school completion Verification of high school completion
Official transcripts to evidence degree from ABFSE-accredited Mortuary Science program Minimum period of internship supervised by CMSP  Minimum period of internship supervised by CMSP  Verification of employment and supervised internship by CMSP Minimum period of internship supervised by CMSP 
Verification of passing the National Board Examination from the ICFSEB Minimum number of documented cases supervised by CMSP during the period of internship Minimum number of documented cases supervised by CMSP during the period of internship Completed skills checklist and case logs verified by CMSP supervisor required annually. Minimum number of documented cases supervised by CMSP during the period of internship
Minimum period of internship supervised by CMSP (or licensed practitioner if internship served in another state) Completed skills checklist and case logs verified by CMSP supervisor Completed skills checklist and case logs verified by CMSP supervisor   Completed skills checklist and case logs verified by CMSP supervisor
Minimum number of documented cases supervised by CMSP during the period of internship May apply for dual certification as CET May apply for dual certification as CFD   May apply for dual certification as CMSP, CFD or CET
Completed skills checklist and case logs verified by CMSP supervisor        

Refer to application packet for case requirements, internship period and reciprocity guidelines.

 

Refer to application packet for case requirements, internship period and reciprocity guidelines. Refer to application packet for case requirements, internship period and reciprocity guidelines. Refer to application packet for case requirements and internship period. Refer to application packet for case requirements and internship period.
$100 CMSP
Application Fee
$100 CFD
Application Fee
$100 CET
Application Fee
$100 INT
Application Fee
$100 CCT
Application Fee
Applications reviewed on quarterly basis. Submission deadlines January 15, April 15, July 15, October 15 Applications reviewed on quarterly basis. Submission deadlines January 15, April 15, July 15, October 15 Applications reviewed on quarterly basis. Submission deadlines January 15, April 15, July 15, October 15 Applications reviewed on quarterly basis. Submission deadlines January 15, April 15, July 15, October 15 Applications reviewed on quarterly basis. Submission deadlines January 15, April 15, July 15, October 15
If approved, credential must be renewed annually with payment of annual renewal fee plus evidence of six (6) contact hours of CE credit. If approved, credential must be renewed annually with payment of annual renewal fee plus evidence of six (6) contact hours of CE credit. If approved, credential must be renewed annually with payment of annual renewal fee plus evidence of six (6) contact hours of CE credit. If approved, credential must be renewed annually with payment of annual renewal fee plus evidence of six (6) contact hours of CE credit. If approved, credential must be renewed annually with payment of annual renewal fee plus evidence of six (6) contact hours of CE credit.
2 contact hours of Colorado Laws credit approved by CFDA is required with annual renewal in even number years (2022, 2024, etc.) 2 contact hours of Colorado Laws credit approved by CFDA is required with annual renewal in even number years (2022, 2024, etc.) 2 contact hours of Colorado Laws credit approved by CFDA is required with annual renewal in even number years (2022, 2024, etc.) 2 contact hours of Colorado Laws credit approved by CFDA is required with annual renewal in even number years (2022, 2024, etc.) 2 contact hours of Colorado Laws credit approved by CFDA is required with annual renewal in even number years (2022, 2024, etc.)