What's happening
This bill allows the funeral director licensing exam in New York to be taken remotely.
Why it matters
Expands exam access statewide. By allowing remote proctoring, the bill makes it easier for aspiring funeral directors across all regions of New York—including rural and underserved areas—to take licensing exams without the need to travel to in-person test centers.
Supports workforce development. The change could help address staffing shortages in the funeral services sector by reducing logistical barriers to entry, potentially increasing the number of licensed professionals throughout the state.
Maintains exam security and integrity. The law requires that remote testing uses secure, department-approved technology with identity verification and monitoring, ensuring the standards and credibility of the licensing process remain as rigorous as in-person exams.
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Who cares
Aspiring Funeral Directors
Individuals seeking licensure as funeral directors in New York who may benefit from increased flexibility and accessibility through remote exam options.
Funeral Homes and Mortuary Businesses
Employers who rely on a steady pipeline of licensed professionals and may see improved recruitment and reduced delays in onboarding new staff.
Department of Health and Exam Administrators
State agencies responsible for overseeing the integrity and security of licensing examinations and implementing secure remote testing protocols.
Educational Institutions and Training Programs
Schools and programs that prepare candidates for the funeral director licensing exam, as remote testing may impact curriculum planning and student support services.
Headline styles
Allow Online License Exams
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to health
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
10258
IN SENATE
May 8, 2026
Introduced by Sen. BYNOE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT act to amend the public health law, in relation to authorizing the remote administration of the funeral director licensing examination
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative findings and intent. The legislature hereby finds and declares that expanding access to professional licensure examinations through the use of secure remote proctoring technologies promotes workforce entry while maintaining the integrity and security of such examinations. It is the intent of the legislature to authorize the department of health to permit the funeral director licensing examination to be administered remotely, provided that such administration maintains standards substantially equivalent to in-person testing.
§ 2. Subdivision 2 of section 3422 of the public health law is amended to read as follows:
2. Examinations shall be held at least twice in each year, or more frequently as determined by the commissioner, and may be administered in person, remotely pursuant to subdivision five of this section, or through a combination of such methods.
§ 3. Section 3422 of the public health law is amended by adding a new subdivision 5 to read as follows:
5. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the commissioner may permit any examination under this section to be administered remotely through secure, proctored technology approved by the department.
(a) Such remote administration shall include measures to ensure the integrity of the examination, including, but not limited to, identity verification, audiovisual monitoring, and the protection of examination materials.
(b) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to require the elimination of in-person examination options.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15816-01-6
§ 4. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act act to amend the public health law, in relation to authorizing the remote administration of the funeral director licensing examination
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Department of Health to permit the funeral director licensing examination to be administered remotely through secure, proctored technology, while maintaining in-per- son examination options.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 establishes the legislative intent, which reads as follows: "The legislature hereby finds and declares that expanding access to professional licensure examinations through the use of secure remote proctoring technologies promotes workforce entry while maintaining the integrity and security of such examinations. It is the intent of the legislature to authorize the department of health to permit the funeral director licensing examination to be administered remotely, provided that such administration maintains standards substantially equivalent to in-person testing."
Section 2 amends subdivision 2 of section 3422 of the public health law is amended to read as follows: "2. Examinations shall be held at least twice in each year, or more frequently as determined by the commission- er, and may be administered in person, remotely pursuant to subdivision five of this section, or through a combination of such methods."
Section 3 amends section 3422 of the public health law by adding a new subdivision 5 to read as follows:
"5. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the commis- sioner may permit any examination authorized under this section, includ- ing the funeral directing examination, to be administered remotely through secure, proctored technology approved by the department.
(a) Such remote administration shall include measures to ensure the integrity of the examination, including, but not limited to, identity verification, audiovisual monitoring, and the protection of examination materials.
(b) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to require the elimi- nation of in-person examination options.
Section 4 establishes the effective date, which reads as follows: This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027. Effective immediately, the commissioner is authorized to promulgate any rules and regulations necessary for the timely implementation of this act.
Justification
New York's funeral director licensing examination is currently adminis- tered on a limited, scheduled basis at designated locations, and is consistently held in Albany, creating unnecessary barriers for qualified applicants, particularly those with employment or caregiving obli- gations. Authorizing a remote option would reduce travel and scheduling burdens while preserving the substance, rigor, and uniformity of the examination.
Secure remote proctoring technologies are widely used across profes- sional licensing contexts and incorporate safeguards such as identity verification, audiovisual monitoring, and secure testing platforms to ensure examination integrity. This bill does not alter the content, standards, or scoring of the examination, but instead provides the Department of Health with flexibility to modernize its administration while maintaining protections equivalent to in-person testing and preserving existing in-person options.
Legislative history
New Legislation
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027. Effective immediately, the commissioner is authorized to promulgate any rules and regulations necessary for the timely implementation of this act.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.