Funeral direction in the United States is controlled by state licensing boards, and requirements for licensure vary considerably from state to state. Licensure in Iowa requires:

• Completing 60 semester hours at an accredited college, not including any vocational courses, with a grade-point average of 2.00 or higher;
• Completing a mortuary education course of 12 months or longer;
• Registering with the Iowa State Board of Mortuary Science; and
• Completing a 12-month internship under the supervision of a board-approved mortician.

The University of Iowa does not offer a degree program in mortuary science, but does offer course work to help students prepare to enroll in mortuary education programs elsewhere. University of Iowa courses you may find useful include those in communication (writing and speaking), natural sciences (general chemistry, biology, anatomy, physiology, microbiology), business skills, and the humanities.

If you would like to obtain licensure in the state of Iowa, contact the Iowa Board of Mortuary Science and register with the board before attending a mortuary education program.

If you are interested in practicing in another state, visit the American Board of Funeral Service Education and the National Funeral Directors Association websites or contact the board in the state in which you would like to practice to learn more about that state's regulations.