STATE REQUIREMENTS
State Licensure
Each state has unique licensure requirements for the funeral service profession. State requirements can vary as some require specific college courses prior to entering mortuary school. PIMS’ accreditation allows a student to sit for the National Board Examination in all 50 states, but prospective students must become familiar with the licensing and educational requirements in the state they wish to be licensed. The Institute will assist you with questions concerning such special requirements.
The PIMS admission office regularly reviews state licensure requirements and what states will accept PIMS’ Associate and/or Diploma options. Use the following symbols and the chart below to find this information.
- * – 21 Area I and 9 Area II credits required
- # – Specific subjects of study are dictated and approved by the state’s mortuary board
- ^ – Preliminary courses required that exceed PIMS’ admission requirement
- ≠ – Yet to be determined
- Yes – Will accept our Diploma and/or Associate
Please contact the PIMS Admission Office admissions@pims.edu or 412-362-8500 for more information or visit https://pims.edu/programs-of-study/
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.