226+ Free NBE Practice Questions

Prepare for the National Board Funeral Service Licensing Exam exam with instant access — no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately

Arts 78% / Sciences 71% Pass Rate

226+ Questions

100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More Funeral Service National Board Exam (NBE)

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

NBE Arts — Funeral Service National Board Exam

Practice Questions150 questions Study Guide

NBE Sciences — Funeral Service National Board Exam

Practice Questions100 questions

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NBE Exam

Arts 78% / Sci 71%

First-Time Pass Rates

2025 ICFSEB statistics

Scaled 75

Passing Score

The Conference

340

Total Questions

The Conference

170 min / section

Exam Duration

The Conference

$285 / section

Exam Fee

The Conference

The National Board Examination (NBE) requires a scaled score of 75 to pass. The exam is split into two sections (Arts and Sciences) of 170 questions each, with a 170-minute limit per section. It is required for funeral service licensure in most states.

Sample NBE Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NBE exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 226+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1When a death occurs at home, what is the first legal document a funeral director must obtain before proceeding with any arrangements?

A.Death certificate

B.Burial transit permit

C.Embalming authorization

D.Pronouncement of death by a medical professional

Explanation: Before any funeral arrangements can proceed, a death must be legally pronounced by a medical professional (physician, nurse practitioner, or coroner depending on state law). The funeral director cannot transport the deceased or begin arrangements until this pronouncement is documented. The death certificate is filed afterward, the burial transit permit is obtained later for disposition, and embalming authorization requires permission from the legal next of kin.

2Which of the following is required on the FTC Funeral Rule General Price List (GPL)?

A.Packages combining multiple services at a discount

B.Itemized prices for 16 specified goods and services

C.Descriptions of religious funeral customs

D.Comparative prices with other funeral homes

Explanation: The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to provide a General Price List (GPL) that itemizes the prices for 16 specified goods and services, including basic professional services, transfer of remains, embalming, other preparation, use of facilities, and caskets. While packages may be offered, they are not required. Religious customs and competitor pricing are not required on the GPL.

3When making arrangements with a family, the funeral director learns the deceased was a veteran who served during wartime. What burial benefit is the family potentially entitled to from the VA?

A.A cash payment of $2,000 for funeral expenses

B.Free burial in a national cemetery with grave marker

C.Reimbursement for the cost of the casket

D.Payment of all funeral home service charges

Explanation: Veterans who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable are entitled to free burial in a national cemetery, including the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a grave liner, and a government headstone or marker. The VA also provides a burial flag. While there is a small burial allowance for service-connected deaths ($2,000) and non-service-connected deaths (up to $1,002, plus a separate $1,002 plot allowance as of FY2026), this does not cover all funeral expenses or the casket.

4In a traditional funeral procession, what is the proper order of vehicles?

A.Family vehicles, clergy vehicle, lead car, funeral coach

B.Lead car, clergy vehicle, funeral coach, family vehicles

C.Funeral coach, lead car, clergy vehicle, family vehicles

D.Clergy vehicle, lead car, funeral coach, family vehicles

Explanation: The traditional funeral procession order is: (1) lead car (funeral director), (2) clergy vehicle, (3) funeral coach (hearse), (4) family vehicles, and (5) other mourners. The lead car guides the procession and typically carries the funeral director. This order ensures the casket arrives first at the place of disposition, followed by immediate family.

5What information is required on a death certificate in most jurisdictions?

A.Only the attending physician's name and signature

B.Cause of death, decedent's personal information, and informant details

C.Funeral home pricing information

D.Names of all funeral attendees

Explanation: A death certificate typically requires: (1) decedent information (name, DOB, SSN, address, marital status, occupation), (2) cause of death (completed by the certifying physician or medical examiner), (3) disposition information (funeral director, place of burial/cremation), and (4) informant information (person providing personal data). Pricing and attendee information is not included.

6When arranging a funeral service, a family requests to hold the visitation at their church instead of the funeral home. What is this type of arrangement called?

A.Direct disposition

B.Immediate burial

C.Alternative service location

D.Home funeral

Explanation: An alternative service location refers to holding services at a place other than the funeral home, such as a church, community center, or private residence. This is common and allows families to honor their loved ones in meaningful locations. Direct disposition means no service, immediate burial occurs shortly after death without viewing, and home funerals involve families conducting arrangements themselves with minimal professional assistance.

7Under the FTC Funeral Rule, when must the General Price List be presented to a consumer?

A.Only when asked by the consumer

B.Before discussing prices or specific goods and services

C.At the conclusion of the arrangement conference

D.Only if the consumer is paying with cash

Explanation: The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to provide the General Price List (GPL) to anyone who asks in person about funeral goods, funeral services, or the prices of such goods or services. The GPL must be given before any discussion of prices or specific goods and services. This allows consumers to comparison shop and make informed decisions.

8What is the primary purpose of an arrangement conference?

A.To collect payment for services

B.To plan and personalize the funeral service and disposition

C.To complete required government forms only

D.To select a cemetery plot

Explanation: The arrangement conference serves multiple purposes: planning the funeral or memorial service (type, location, participants), selecting disposition method (burial, cremation, etc.), choosing merchandise (casket, urn, vault), completing necessary paperwork (death certificate, permits), and establishing a relationship with the bereaved family. While payment and forms are part of the process, the primary goal is comprehensive service planning.

9When transporting human remains across state lines, what is typically required?

A.Only the death certificate

B.A burial transit permit or disposition permit

C.Permission from the state governor

D.A special funeral director's license for each state

Explanation: When transporting human remains across state lines, a burial transit permit (also called a disposition permit) is typically required. This permit, issued by the local registrar of vital statistics, authorizes the transportation and final disposition of the body. Some states may also require embalming or refrigeration, and the death certificate is always necessary documentation.

10Which of the following best describes the role of a funeral director during a funeral service?

A.To lead religious prayers and readings

B.To coordinate logistics, ensure dignity, and support the family

C.To provide grief counseling to all attendees

D.To document attendance for legal purposes

Explanation: The funeral director's role during a service is primarily logistical and supportive: coordinating the flow of events, ensuring the dignity and respectful treatment of the deceased, managing staff, communicating with clergy or celebrants, and providing support to the bereaved family. Religious leadership is provided by clergy, professional counseling is referred to specialists, and attendance documentation is not a legal requirement.

About the NBE Exam

The National Board Examination (NBE) is required for funeral service licensure in most states. It consists of Arts and Sciences sections covering funeral directing, arrangement, law, ethics, embalming, restorative art, pathology, chemistry, and anatomy.

Questions

340 scored questions

Time Limit

170 min / section

Passing Score

Scaled 75

Exam Fee

$285 per section ($570 total) (International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards (ICFSEB))

NBE Exam Content Outline

34%

Funeral Directing (Arts)

Arrangement conferences, services, legal forms, and operational duties of funeral directing.

23%

Regulatory Compliance (Arts)

FTC Funeral Rule, documentation, contracts, and state/federal compliance.

16%

Cemetery and Crematory Operations (Arts)

Disposition methods, crematory process, cemetery procedures, and requirements.

14%

Funeral Service Merchandising (Arts)

Merchandise selection, presentation, pricing, and consumer communication.

13%

Funeral Service Counseling (Arts)

Grief support communication, ethics, and family-centered interaction.

41%

Embalming (Sciences)

Embalming chemistry, vascular preservation, and procedure selection.

23%

Restorative Art (Sciences)

Restorative anatomy, facial proportions, color theory, and facial reconstructions.

19%

Other Preparation of the Deceased (Sciences)

Pre-embalming preparation, feature setting, dressing, casketing, cosmetology, and shipping.

17%

Funeral Service Sciences (Sciences)

Pathology, postmortem changes, mortuary microbiology, disinfection, and OSHA prep-room safety.

How to Pass the NBE Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Scaled 75
Exam length: 340 questions
Time limit: 170 min / section
Exam fee: $285 per section ($570 total)

Keys to Passing

Work through all 226 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NBE Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus on the highest-weighted content areas first — they represent the most exam questions

2Complete the full practice bank and review explanations for every missed item

3Study in focused 1-2 hour blocks with active recall and spaced repetition

4Review the FTC Funeral Rule, embalming chemistry, and restorative art procedures — high-yield NBE topics

5Take at least two full-length timed practice exams before your scheduled test date

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NBE exam passing score?

The National Board Examination (NBE) requires a scaled score of 75 to pass. Each section (Arts and Sciences) is scored independently and graded on a scale ranging from 20 to 99.

How hard is the NBE exam?

The NBE is challenging, with a 2025 first-time pass rate of 78% for the Arts section and 71% for the Sciences section. Candidates typically study for 140 to 240 hours.

How long should I study for the NBE?

Most candidates study for 10 to 18 weeks, investing 140 to 240 hours across both sections. Focus on high-weight domains like Embalming (41% of Sciences) and Funeral Directing (34% of Arts).

What is the NBE exam fee?

The NBE exam fee is $285 per section ($570 total for both Arts and Sciences). Retakes also cost $285 per section, and registration is handled through The Conference.