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 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) 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 no less than thirty credits in state-approved medical legal investigation courses over a three-year period. 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 including but not limited to the New York state association of county coroners and medical examiners. Each coroner and coroner’s deputy shall register triennially with the department of health to practice and shall comply with the provisions of the mandatory continuing education requirements prescribed in this subdivision.(b)
Each coroner or coroner’s deputy shall be exempt from the mandatory continuing education requirement for one year following the date on which they are first elected or appointed pursuant to § 400 (Officers)section four hundred of this chapter.(c)
A coroner or coroner’s deputy who does not satisfy the mandatory continuing education requirements, except as provided by paragraph (b) of this subdivision, shall not practice until they have met such requirements, and they have been issued a certificate of completion by the department of health or other agency listed in paragraph (a) of this subdivision. The New York state association of county coroners and medical examiners shall retain records of compliance with the continuing education requirements by all coroners and coroner’s deputies and shall notify those individuals and their respective counties if a coroner or coroner’s deputy is not in compliance with this subdivision.(d)
In accordance with the intent of this subdivision, adjustment to the mandatory continuing education requirement may be granted by the department of health for reasons of health if certified by an appropriate health care professional, for extended active duty with the armed forces of the United States, or for other good cause acceptable to the department of health which may prevent compliance. * NB Effective June 17, 2026
Source:
Section 679 — Training requirements for coroners and coroner's deputies, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CNT/679 (updated Dec. 26, 2025; accessed Jan. 3, 2026).
