2025 NBE Statistics

January 1, 2025 – November 30, 2025

National Board – Arts Exam

Accredited Programs

Total TestedPassFailAbsentTotal Number
First Time1572122678%34622%
Repeater58120235%37965%
Combined2153142866%68132%472200

National Board – Sciences Exam

Accredited Programs

Total TestedPassFailAbsentTotal Number
First Time1538108771%45129%
Repeater93022424%70676%
Combined2468131153%115747%912559

Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole percent.

First-Time Administration Average Scores

Arts Exam – 76
Sciences Exam – 75

Average Subsection Scores – Arts Exam

  • Funeral Directing & Arranging – 36.6
  • Funeral Service Marketing/Merchandising – 14.4
  • Funeral Service Counseling – 13.5
  • Legal & Regulatory Compliance – 24.2
  • Cemetery/Crematory/Other Dispositions – 17.9

Average Subsection Scores – Sciences Exam

  • Embalming – 42.9
  • Restorative Art – 23.6
  • Other Preparation of the Deceased – 19.9
  • Funeral Service Sciences – 17.5