To become a coroner in England and Wales, you need at least 5 years' experience as a qualified solicitor or barrister, or as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, and you must serve as an assistant coroner before you can become a coroner. In the US, each state sets its own rules: in Ohio, for example, coroner is an elected county office and the coroner must be a licensed physician.
Coroners investigate deaths that need explaining: they gather evidence, order post-mortems when the cause is unclear and hold inquests. Who can do the job depends completely on where you live. In England and Wales it's a judicial role for lawyers; in Ohio it's an elected office held by a doctor. Here's what the official sources said when I read them on 26 October 2026.
England and Wales vs Ohio at a glance
| England and Wales | Ohio (US example) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can do it | Qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEx Fellow with at least 5 years' experience | A physician licensed to practise medicine and surgery, or osteopathic medicine and surgery, in good standing |
| How you get it | Appointed by the local council with the consent of the Chief Coroner and the Lord Chancellor | Elected (or appointed to fill a vacancy) |
| Starting point | Assistant coroner | Licensed for at least two years before election or appointment, outside charter counties |
| Training set in the law | Not part of the Schedule 3 qualification rules | 16 hours of education before a first term, and 32 hours in each four-year term |
The route in England and Wales, step by step
- Qualify as a lawyer. Become a solicitor or barrister, or a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
- Build at least 5 years' experience. The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 requires you to meet the judicial-appointment eligibility condition on a 5-year basis.
- Apply to be an assistant coroner. Local councils advertise assistant coroner vacancies.
- Gain experience as an assistant coroner. You need to be an assistant coroner before you can apply to be a coroner.
- Apply for coroner, then senior coroner. With experience you can progress, and the Chief Coroner leads the whole coroner service in England and Wales.
The rules people don't expect
- There's an age limit. To be appointed as a senior, area or assistant coroner, you must be under 75.
- Local councillors are barred locally. If you're a councillor for a local authority, or have been in the previous 6 months, you can't be appointed as coroner for an area that includes that authority.
- Medicine isn't the route. In England and Wales, the qualifying experience is legal, not medical, which surprises many people who picture a doctor.
The US picture: an elected office with local rules
In the US, coroner rules are set state by state, and sometimes county by county. Ohio is a clear example of a strict model. Under Ohio Revised Code section 313.02, to be eligible for the office of coroner you must be a physician licensed in Ohio to practise medicine and surgery, or osteopathic medicine and surgery, and be in good standing. Outside charter counties, you must also have held that licence for at least two years immediately before election or appointment.
Ohio also builds in training. A newly elected coroner must complete 16 hours of continuing education before starting the term, and every coroner must complete 32 hours during each four-year term: 24 at statewide meetings and 8 at regional meetings, through programs from the Ohio State Coroners Association. A newly appointed coroner must complete 16 hours within ninety days.
The practical lesson: if you're in the US, start by looking up your own state's coroner law. Ohio's doctors-only rule is one state's model, not a national standard, so your state's law decides your route before anything else does.
What a coroner does day to day
- Decides whether an inquest into a death is needed
- Collects evidence, witness statements and details surrounding a death
- Orders a post-mortem when there are questions about the cause of death
- Explains the inquest process and findings to bereaved families
- Notifies the registrar about the death and the inquest result
- Writes reports and recommendations to prevent future deaths
The National Careers Service notes the work can be emotionally demanding, and it happens in offices, courts and hospitals. Clear, kind communication with families matters as much as legal skill.
Skills that matter
- Clear thinking using logic and reasoning
- Legal knowledge, including court procedures and government regulations
- Patience and calm in stressful situations
- Confident use of a computer and the main software packages
Assistant coroners also deputise for the senior coroner when needed, which is why the role works as the training ground for the senior job. You can later apply to become a course director with the Judicial College.
My verdict
In England and Wales, think of coroner as a judicial career for experienced lawyers, reached through the assistant coroner role. In the US, it's often an elected office with rules set locally, as Ohio's doctors-only law shows, so check your state law first. To start on the legal side, read how to become a lawyer, and if judicial work appeals, see how to become a judge.
Frequently asked questions
Where do coroners work?
The National Careers Service says coroners work in offices, courts and NHS or private hospitals, and the work can be emotionally demanding.
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Do you need to be a doctor to be a coroner?
Not in England and Wales, where coroners need at least 5 years' experience as a solicitor, barrister or CILEx Fellow. In Ohio, coroners must be licensed physicians.
How do you become a coroner in the UK?
Qualify as a lawyer, build at least 5 years' experience, become an assistant coroner, then apply for coroner posts advertised by local councils.
Is there an age limit for coroners?
Yes. Under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, you must be under 75 to be appointed as a senior, area or assistant coroner.
Who appoints coroners in England and Wales?
Local councils choose coroners with the consent of the Chief Coroner and the Lord Chancellor.
Are coroners elected in the US?
In Ohio, yes. The coroner is elected, or appointed to fill a vacancy, and must be a licensed physician. Other states set their own rules.
What training do Ohio coroners need?
16 hours of continuing education before a first term and 32 hours during each four-year term.
