Rule 4731-14-01. Pronouncement of death

119.03 (A) Only an individual holding one of the following current certificates or licenses may pronounce a person dead: (1) A certificate to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery issued under section 4731.14 of the Revised Code; (2) A training certificate issued under section 4731.291 of the Revised Code; (3) A clinical research faculty certificate issued under section 4731.293 of the Revised Code; (4) A special activities certificate issued under section 4731.294 of the Revised Code; (5) A license to practice as a certified nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist issued under section 4723.42 of the Revised Code, when the holder acts in compliance with section 4723.36 of the Revised Code; (6) A license to practice as a registered nurse issued under section 4723.09 of the Revised Code, when the holder acts in compliance with section 4723.36 of the Revised Code. (7) A license to practice as a physician assistant issued under section 4730.12 of the Revised Code, when the holder acts in compliance with section 4730.202 of the Revised Code; (8) A certificate of conceded eminence issued under section 4731.297 of the Revised Code; (9) A certificate to practice podiatric medicine and surgery issued under section 4731.56 of the Revised Code. (B) A physician holding a current certificate to practice medicine or surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery issued under section 4731.14 of the Revised Code may pronounce a person dead without personally examining the body of the deceased only if a competent observer has recited the facts of the deceased's present medical condition to the physician and the physician is satisfied that death has occurred. (C) For purposes of this rule a competent observer shall mean one of the following: (1) A licensed practical nurse holding a current license issued under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code; (2) An EMT-Basic holding a current certificate issued under section 4765.30 of the Revised Code; (3) An EMT-intermediate holding a current certificate issued under section 4765.30 of the Revised Code; (4) A EMT - paramedic holding a current certificate issued under section 4765.30 of the Revised Code; (5) A chiropractor holding a current certificate issued under Chapter 4734. of the Revised Code; (6) An individual authorized to pronounce a person dead under paragraph (A) of this rule; (7) A coroner's investigator as referenced in section 313.05 of the Revised Code. Last updated July 16, 2026 at 11:02 AM Supplemental Information Authorized By: 4731.05 , 4731.053 Amplifies: 4723.36 , 4730.202 , 4731.053 , 4731.291 , 4731.293 , 4731.294 , 4731.297 , 4731.34 , 4731.51 9/30/2026 5/10/1990, 5/31/2002, 2/28/2004, 6/30/2007, 6/30/2016 Disclaimer Contact About