7-4-2904. Qualifications for office of county coroner. (1) In addition to the qualifications set forth in 7-4-2201, to be eligible for the office of coroner, at the time of election or appointment to office a person must be a high school graduate or holder of an equivalency of completion of secondary education as provided by the superintendent of public instruction under 20-7-131 or of an equivalency issued by another state.

(2) Each coroner, before entering the duties of office, shall:

(a) take and file with the county clerk the constitutional oath of office; and

(b) certify to the county clerk that:

(i) the individual has successfully completed the basic coroner course of study as provided for in 7-4-2905 or that the individual has completed the equivalent educational requirements as approved by the public safety officer standards and training council established in 2-15-2029; or

(ii) the individual intends to take the basic coroner course at the next offering of the course if the coroner has been appointed or was elected by other than a local government general election and, from the date of appointment or election and assumption of the duties as coroner, a basic coroner course was not offered. A coroner forfeits office for failure to take and successfully complete the next offering of the basic coroner course.