STATE REQUIREMENTS

State Licensure

 

Each state licensing board sets rules for qualifying education requirements. Most states require general college credits in addition to mortuary school. Credits outlined below are measured by semester hours. If you’ve earned quarter credits, a mathematical conversion will be made. These credits do not necessarily transfer in, but instead act as credits to meet your state’s licensing rules.

Below is a table outlining each state’s licensing rules. In every case, all general college credits must be earned before a student can be accepted into the PIMS online program. No prior credits are required for the campus program to meet the rules for general college credits, as these can be earned by adding 2 terms to our campus program. 

Some states do not require any additional credits. Two states require bachelor’s degrees, which can be completed before PIMS or after graduation from PIMS through one of our partner schools.

While we do our best to stay on top of changes, checking your state’s licensing board is always a good idea. 

Please contact the PIMS Admission Office admissions@pims.edu or 412-362-8500 for more information or visit https://pims.edu/programs-of-study/

States
California, Iowa, Kansas, Nevada, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia
Michigan
Wisconsin
Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachussetts, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming
Nebraska
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia
Ohio, Minnesota
State's Licensing Rules
60 college credits in addition to PIMS30 general credits plus diploma, offered on campus
60 college credits in addition to PIMSNo additional credits needed outside of our program
24 college credits in addition to PIMS
30 college credits plus PIMS
40 college credits plus PIMS
Diploma from PIMS
Bachelor’s degree in addition to PIMS
To Qualify for Our Online Program
Must obtain all credits prior to acceptance. Credits can be in any general education categories.
Must obtain all credits prior to acceptance. Must contain 3 credits public speaking, 6 credits psychology, 3 credits religious/multicultural studies, 48 credits as desired.
Must obtain all credits prior to acceptance. Must contain English/communications, natural sciences, business studies.
Must obtain all credits prior to acceptance. They must meet the following criteria:
AREA I:
 • 21 semester credits (approx. 7 classes);
• Social sciences (psychology, behavioral sciences, sociology, etc.);
• Natural sciences (biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and things like that);
• Business studies (business law, administration, etc.)
AREA II:
• 9 semester credits (approx.. 3 classes);
• General electives
Must obtain all credits prior to acceptance. They must meet the following criteria:
AREA I:
 • 21 semester credits (approx. 7 classes);
• Social sciences (psychology, behavioral sciences, sociology, etc.);
• Natural sciences (biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and things like that);
• Business studies (business law, administration, etc.)
AREA II:
• 9 semester credits (approx.. 3 classes);
• General electives;

10 Additional Credits of Choice
No additional credits needed
Must have a completed bachelor’s degree OR a plan in place with a partnering school to obtain a bachelor’s degree
To Qualify for Our Campus Program
No prior credits needed. 2 additional terms are added to meet state requirements. If you have previous credits, we will remove terms depending on the quantity.
No prior credits needed. 2 additional terms are added to meet state requirements. If you have previous credits, we will remove terms depending on the quantity.
No prior credits needed. 2 additional terms are added to meet state requirements. If you have previous credits, we will remove terms depending on the quantity.
No prior credits needed. 2 additional terms are added to meet state requirements. If you have previous credits, we will remove terms depending on the quantity.
No prior credits needed. 2 additional terms are added to meet state requirements. If you have previous credits, we will remove terms depending on the quantity.
Unless a student wishes to obtain a higher degree than the diploma, no previous credits are required and no additional terms are added.
Must have a completed bachelor’s degree OR a plan in place with a partnering school to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

State Authorization

 

Post-secondary institutions that offer educational programs to students located outside of their home state must comply with the laws and regulations of the states where they seek to enroll students.

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is an agreement among member states that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of distance education programs.

The Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (PIMS) is a participating member of the SARA and is authorized to enroll students in online courses in SARA member states which include 49 states. California and Washington DC are not members of SARA but PIMS is authorized to offer distance education based on California and DC statute.

Students must report to PIMS if a relocation to a different state occurs as this may affect authorization or licensure requirements and reporting. Contact any member of the administrative team to make the change or update your Sonis student portal.

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