How to Become a Medical Examiner and the Necessary Degrees
Medical examiners are medical doctors who investigate the deaths of people from unknown causes, suicide or homicide. They often specialize in medical and autopsy pathology and examine the decedent's tissue, organs, bodily fluids and cells. Often called to appear in court, they also serve to establish the cause of death in court cases. To become a medical examiner, you must have a medical degree granted by an approved medical school.
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Instructions
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Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and apply to an accredited medical school. Getting a medical degree takes four years, which often consists of two years of education complemented by two years of supervised patient care.
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Complete your residency. If you are planning to become a medical examiner, you will need to to complete a residency in forensic pathology. Residencies can last from three to eight years.
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Study for and pass your state's medical boards. This step is done by taking the national exam through the American Board of Pathology. Studying and passing the boards is a very challenging process but there are steps that you can take to make the process less stressful. The United States Medical Licensing Examination organization offers copies of past exams that you can use for practice.
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Apply for an appointment as a medical examiner through your state. The length of the appointment can vary from state to state from two to four years until retirement. These positions are often advertised through your local government's website.
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Tips & Warnings
Medical examiners deal with a wide variety of cases. Be sure that you have the constitution to deal with the sometimes grisly nature of the work.
Medical examiners, like other doctors, are often required to work long and unsociable hours.
