How to Become a Funeral Director in British Columbia
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Funeral director is a voluntary trade in British Columbia. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Bookmark Funeral Director”
From skilledtradesbc.ca/find-your-trade, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
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- Licensed in another province: 2 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 6 steps, listed one-time fees $120
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
-
You must already hold your full certification or licence in your trade from another Canadian province or territory.
Source
“Mutual recognition only applies if you have your full certification or license.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/labour-mobility -
Because funeral trades are regulated in B.C., you may need to contact the local regulatory body about any additional licences required to work in the province.
Source
“Regulated trades such as Electrician, Crane Operator, Security Alarm Installer, funeral trades and others may also require special licenses. (See Regulated Trades sections below.)”
skilledtradesbc.ca/labour-mobility
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with SkilledTradesBC
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 6 done
- Listed one-time fees: $120
- 5 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 1.8 to 2.3 months (only 1 of 6 steps state a time)
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Search for your trade and review the Employer Declaration or Statutory Declaration form to confirm you have the required hours and scope of hands-on work experience.
Source
“Review the Employer Declaration or Statutory Declaration form (near the bottom of your trade page), where you can find the hours of work experience, percentage of job task experience and any prerequisite credentials required.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam -
Once you have confirmed your eligibility, create a SkilledTradesBC Portal account by selecting the option to challenge a certification exam.
Source
“Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, create a SkilledTradesBC Portal account by selecting the option to challenge a certification exam to start your application.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam -
Complete and submit your application through the Portal, including an Employer or Statutory Declaration for each period of work experience, with all documents in English.
Source
“For each period of work experience listed on your application, you must submit an Employer or Statutory Declaration (near the bottom of your trade page).”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam -
Pay the $120 application fee through the Portal when you submit your application and declaration forms.
- application fee: $120
Source
“Pay the $120 application fee through the Portal and submit your application and declaration form(s).”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam
Source
“Pay the $120 application fee through the Portal and submit your application and declaration form(s).”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam - application fee: $120
-
Your application is reviewed and processed, which currently takes 8 to 10 weeks.
Time: 8 to 10 weeksTime source
“Currently, it takes 8 to 10 weeks for an application to get reviewed and processed.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersonsSource
“Currently, it takes 8 to 10 weeks for an application to get reviewed and processed.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons -
After your application is approved, you must schedule and pass your certification exam and any practical assessments within 24 months.
Source
“You can schedule and pass your certification exam and practical assessments, if applicable, within 24 months of your application approval.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $120
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $120 | 100% |
| One-time total | $120 | 100% |
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- out-of-province assessment fee: $120
Source
“$120 out-of-province assessment fee. You can pay online, by mail or with a cheque (payable to SkilledTradesBC) with your application.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders
Requirements
Experience
You must have the required hours and scope of hands-on work experience in the trade to challenge the certification exam.
Source
“You have the required hours and scope of hands-on work experience in the trade.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam
Other
Your references will be contacted by phone to verify your work experience, and the application will be denied if they cannot be contacted.
Source
“Your references will be contacted by phone to verify your work experience. If references cannot be contacted, it will result in a denied application.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-examAll documents submitted with your application must be in English.
Source
“All documents submitted must be in English.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
SkilledTradesBC recognizes a Certificate of Qualification from a trade board in Canada, and you will not have to re-certify or get a re-issued certificate. Source
“If you hold a Certificate of Qualification from a trade board in Canada, SkilledTradesBC will recognize it. You will not have to re-certify or get a re-issued certificate.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/labour-mobility
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Exams
-
certification exam
Source
“You can schedule and pass your certification exam and practical assessments, if applicable, within 24 months of your application approval.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam
Language tests
No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Exemptions: IELTS or CELPIP English language exam results are not required to become a skilled trade apprentice or to write an exam with SkilledTradesBC. Source
“No, this is not required to become a skilled trade apprentice or to write an exam with us.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons
Canadian experience
If you hold a Certificate of Qualification issued by SkilledTradesBC in a B.C. trade prior to it becoming designated as a Red Seal trade, you may be eligible to obtain a Red Seal Endorsement by applying to write the Red Seal exam. Source
“If you hold a Certificate of Qualification issued by SkilledTradesBC (or previously Industry Training Authority) in a B.C. trade prior to it becoming designated as a Red Seal trade, you may be eligible to obtain a Red Seal Endorsement by applying to write the Red Seal exam.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | $24.50 | $33.54 | $54.39 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $18.00 | $31.25 | $50.48 | — |
Funeral directors in other provinces and territories
- Alberta Not confirmed yet
- Saskatchewan Certification required
- Manitoba Certification required
- Ontario Not confirmed yet
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Certification required
- Nova Scotia Certification required
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Find Your Trade | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/find-your-trade · fetched October 9, 2026
- Labour Mobility | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/labour-mobility · fetched October 9, 2026
- Newcomers and International Tradespersons | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa... · fetched October 11, 2026
- Challenge a Certification Exam | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/challenge-certification-exam · fetched October 11, 2026
- Newcomers and International Tradespersons | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/get-certified/newcomers-international-tradespersons · fetched October 10, 2026
- Canadian and Military Certificate Holders | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a funeral director in British Columbia?
No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in British Columbia. Certification is managed by SkilledTradesBC.
Which exams are required?
certification exam.
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