The exam content outline is developed from a Job Task Analysis (JTA) Survey, utilizing a diverse group of funeral service practitioners from across the nation. This survey is conducted every five to seven years by The Conference under the guidance of testing and psychometric experts and is used to determine the significance/importance of the various activities performed by current practitioners across the country. The updated content outline, also known as the exam blueprint, is developed through analysis of this data. This process ensures that the exam is current and testing relevant material that is vital knowledge for entry-level practitioners to serve the public safely.

Every question on the exam is referenced to three resources:

• Exam content outline/blueprint: Created by The Conference through a Job Task Analysis Survey, which is conducted every five to seven years.
• ABFSE Curriculum Outline: Created by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) and used by the accredited programs.
• Reference book(s): Each question is tied to at least one reference on the approved textbook list. This list is created through a survey completed by ABFSE-accredited programs and can be found here on the website.

Furthermore, every question is pretested before it becomes a scored question on the exam. This is so that the statistics can be reviewed and approved by psychometricians before a question ever counts for or against someone’s score. These are 20 pretest questions that appear on each section of the NBE.

To take the NBE, candidates must meet one of the below requirements:

1) graduated from an ABFSE-accredited mortuary science program (funeral directing and embalming),
2) completed an affiliated mortuary science program (funeral directing and/or embalming),
3) met state eligibility requirements to become eligible for a funeral directing and/or embalming exam.

There is no limit to the number of exam attempts per candidate. The required waiting period between exams will be 30 days.

Candidates may only have one Arts or Sciences application open at one time.

The Conference Board of Directors periodically reviews and revises policies regarding exam administration keeping in mind the security of the exam program as well as best practices within the field of high stakes licensure testing. It is also to the candidates’ benefit to allow sufficient time for study and remediation following an unsuccessful attempt on the NBE.

NBE Arts Section
Funeral Arranging and Directing 51 Items
Funeral Service Marketing/Merchandising 21 Items
Funeral Service Counseling 22 Items
Legal and Regulatory Compliance 36 Items
Cemetery and Crematory Operations 20 Items
Pretest Questions 20 Items

NBE Science Section
Embalming 58 Items
Restorative Art 34 Items
Preparation for Disposition 31 Items
Funeral Service Sciences 27 Items
Pretest Questions 20 Items

The National Board Exam (NBE) is a pass/fail exam and is not designed to distinguish between varying levels of competence, but rather to distinguish whether a candidate has at least the minimum level of competence required to practice as an entry-level Funeral Director and Embalmer. The passing standard is a scaled score of 75; therefore, any score of 75 or higher is a passing score, and any score below 75 is a failing score. The number of questions that have to be answered correctly to achieve a score of 75 can change from form to form, but is generally within a 1-2 question range. If a form of the exam is slightly easier than the form on which the passing score was set, an examinee would have to answer more questions correctly to obtain a scale score of 75. If the form of the exam is slightly harder, an examinee would have to answer fewer questions correctly to pass the exam. This process ensures that we apply the same standard of difficulty regardless of whether the items are a little easier or a little harder than those on another form.

Failed results will be accompanied with a Performance Feedback Chart; which visually represents the candidate’s performance in each section. The Conference does not release numerical score information to candidates. The Arts and Sciences sections of the NBE are scored separately. Candidates must pass both sections in order to be considered passing the NBE. Only the 150 core items are used to calculate scores for each section. The 20 pretest items do not count for or against you.

You will receive a pass/fail results report immediately following your exam at the test center. Numerical scores are not given, however, unsuccessful candidates will receive a Performance Feedback Chart, indicating your performance in each content area. Per Conference policy, NBE scores are only released to state boards for licensure purposes only.

Please note, changes to the NBE/SBE program go into effect January 1, 2023. For more information, please visit the FAQ page specific to the upcoming changes.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to review your test once it has been scored. For study purposes, please refer to the Performance Feedback Chart for guidance on which content areas to review.

Once you have passed the NBE (both sections), The Conference will mail an NBE wall certificate with your name and the year you passed the NBE to the address provided on your application. Allow three to four weeks for delivery. Wallet ID cards are available upon request. Additional wall certificates and ID cards are available for purchase from The Conference. Order forms can be submitted online at www.theconferenceonline.org. Wall certificates can be purchased for $30 and ID cards for $20.

Visit here for NBE pass rate FAQs.