In recent years, discussions in funeral service about the workforce have increasingly used the terms “internship” and “apprenticeship” interchangeably. In Montana, however, these terms are not interchangeable, particularly in the licensed and highly regulated profession of funeral service and mortuary science. Understanding the distinction is critical for compliance, workforce planning and public protection.

Montana law has long recognized apprenticeship as an essential component of licensure, while internships have never been authorized as a licensing pathway.

Funeral Service Is a Licensed Profession

Funeral service in Montana is governed by Title 37, Montana Code Annotated, and administrative rules adopted by the Montana Board of Funeral Service under Title 24, Administrative Rules of Montana. These laws exist to protect the public by ensuring that individuals who care for human remains and serve grieving families are professionally trained, supervised and accountable.

Because of this regulatory structure, training models commonly used in other industries must be carefully evaluated before being applied to funeral service.

Internships: Limited Educational Exposure

An internship in the funeral service context is not defined or recognized in Montana statute or Board rule as a pathway to licensure. Internships may take the form of short-term, educational or observational experiences, often tied to career exploration or academic programs.

Key characteristics of internships include:

• Informal or short-term structure
• Limited, closely supervised participation
• No standardized training requirements
• No recognized role in meeting licensure requirements

Interns are not licensed, and internships do not authorize individuals to independently perform regulated funeral services or embalming duties. When internships are used beyond limited exposure or observation, they risk crossing into unlicensed practice and creating compliance concerns for funeral establishments.

Apprenticeship: A Core Licensing Requirement

By contrast, apprenticeship has always been a required element of mortician licensure in Montana. Historically, statutes required individuals to:

• Graduate from an accredited mortuary science program, and
• Complete a defined apprenticeship after graduation under the supervision of a licensed professional before qualifying for licensure.

This structure reflected the profession’s long-standing understanding that competency in funeral service cannot be achieved solely through classroom education.

In 2023, Montana modernized this framework by allowing the required apprenticeship to be completed concurrently with enrollment in an accredited mortuary science program. Importantly, the apprenticeship requirement itself was not eliminated. It remains mandatory; only the timing was adjusted to improve workforce access and pipeline development.

Registered Apprenticeships: A Structured, Regulated Model

A registered apprenticeship aligns closely with Montana’s statutory intent for funeral service training. Registered apprenticeships are formal workforce training programs overseen by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry and structured to meet defined standards.

Registered apprenticeships:

• Are formal employment relationships
• Require documented supervision by licensed professionals
• Include structured, on-the-job training and skill development
• Maintain accountability through training records and progression standards
• Support compliance with licensure requirements and board oversight

Apprentices do not practice independently. All regulated activities must be performed under appropriate supervision, consistent with Montana law and board rules.

Why the Difference Matters

Internships and registered apprenticeships serve different purposes. Internships offer exposure, while apprenticeships develop competence.

In a licensed profession grounded in public trust, this distinction is essential. Improper use of internships to perform regulated duties risks:

• Unlicensed practice
• Regulatory violations
• Erosion of professional standards
• Exposure for funeral establishments

Registered apprenticeships, by contrast, reflect Montana’s historical and statutory approach to protecting the public while developing the next generation of funeral service professionals.

Conclusion

In funeral service and mortuary science in the state of Montana, internships and registered apprenticeships are not interchangeable. Internships may support career exploration, but they are not licensure pathways. Apprenticeships — historically and today — are a required, regulated and essential component of professional competency.

As the profession adapts to workforce challenges and evolving education models, maintaining clarity around these distinctions protects licensees, supports compliance and preserves the trust placed in funeral service professionals by Montana families.