2023 NBE Statistics

January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023

National Board – Arts Exam (Accredited Programs)

CategoryTotal TestedPassPass %FailFail %AbsentTotal Number
First Time1741135978%38222%
Repeater63528144%35456%
Total2378164269%73631%592437

National Board – Sciences Exam (Accredited Programs)

CategoryTotal TestedPassPass %FailFail %AbsentTotal Number
First Time1688116169%52731%
Repeater110536533%74067%
Total2793152655%126745%882881

Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole percent.


First-Time Administration Average Scores

Arts Exam – 78
Sciences Exam – 75

Average Subsection Scores

ARTS EXAM

Funeral Directing & Arranging – 38.2/51
Funeral Service Marketing/Merchandising – 15.4/21
Funeral Service Counseling – 13.9/19
Legal & Regulatory Compliance – 25.6/35
Cemetery/Crematory/Other Dispositions – 18.2/24

SCIENCES EXAM

Embalming – 45.8/62
Restorative Art – 23.8/34
Other Preparation of the Deceased – 20.4/28
Funeral Service Sciences – 18.6/26


NBE Statistics Frequently Asked Questions