N.Y.
County Law Section 679
Training requirements for coroners and coroner’s deputies
1.
Each coroner and coroner’s deputy, whether elected or appointed pursuant to § 400 (Officers)section four hundred of this chapter, shall attend and successfully complete initial state-approved courses in medical-legal investigation. The cost of such courses shall be the responsibility of the coroner or coroner’s deputy, provided however that the county may, at its discretion, reimburse the coroner or coroner’s deputy for all or a portion of the cost of such courses. Such courses shall be prescribed, certified and accredited pursuant to rules promulgated by the department of health, in consultation with the department of state, the division of criminal justice services, the superintendent of state police, the commissioner of education, and the chair of the commission on forensic science. The department of health may also consult with qualified professional groups. Such rules shall also establish the frequency and duration for successful completion of any such courses by the coroner or coroner’s deputy and may prescribe heightened levels of training for any newly elected or appointed coroner or coroner’s deputy.2.
(a) In addition to the training requirements of subdivision one of this section, each coroner and coroner’s deputy, whether elected or appointed pursuant to § 400 (Officers)section four hundred of this chapter, shall attend and successfully complete a minimum of thirty credit hours in state-approved continuing medical legal investigation courses every three years. The cost of such courses shall be the responsibility of the coroner or coroner’s deputy, provided however that the county may, at its discretion, reimburse the coroner or coroner’s deputy for all or a portion of the cost of such courses. Such courses shall be prescribed, certified and accredited pursuant to rules promulgated by the department of health, in consultation with the department of state, the division of criminal justice services, the superintendent of state police, the commissioner of education, and the chair of the commission on forensic science. The department of health may also consult with qualified professional groups.(b)
Each coroner or coroner’s deputy shall be exempt from the mandatory continuing education requirement for one year following the successful completion of the state-approved courses in medical-legal investigation required by subdivision one of this section.(c)
(i) Each coroner or coroner’s deputy shall: (A) on a form and date prescribed by the county, register triennially and attest to their respective county, and the department upon request, that they have successfully completed a minimum of thirty credit hours of continuing medical-legal investigation courses; and (B) maintain records of compliance with such continuing education requirements for seven years and shall provide such documentation of compliance upon request by their respective county or the department of health.(ii)
Coroner and coroner’s deputy attestations shall be filed in the office of the county clerk.(d)
A coroner or coroner’s deputy who does not satisfy the mandatory continuing education requirements shall be barred from practice until they have met such requirements; provided, however, that their respective county may temporarily waive such requirements for extended active duty with the armed forces of the United States or state, or for no longer than one year for other good cause, acceptable to the respective county, which may prevent compliance. * NB Effective December 19, 2026
Source:
Section 679 — Training requirements for coroners and coroner's deputies, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CNT/679 (updated Feb. 20, 2026; accessed Feb. 28, 2026).
