Skip to main content
Back To Top Top Back To Top
This website publishes administrative rules on their effective dates, as designated by the adopting state agencies, colleges, and universities.

Chapter 4731-14 | Pronouncement of Death

 
 
 
Rule
Rule 4731-14-01 | Pronouncement of death.
 

(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 September 30, 2021 at 8:35 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
Five Year Review Date: 9/30/2026
Prior Effective Dates: 5/10/1990, 5/31/2002, 2/28/2004, 6/30/2007, 6/30/2016