(1) The board of commissioners of each county of this state shall by resolution abolish the office of coroner and appoint a county medical examiner to hold office for a period of 4 years. If the office of county medical examiner becomes vacant before the expiration of the term of office, the board of commissioners may appoint a successor to complete the term of office. In counties with a civil service system, the appointment and tenure of the medical examiner shall be made in accordance with the provisions of that civil service system.

    (2) County medical examiners shall be physicians licensed to practice within this state or, if the county does not have an accredited hospital, licensed in another state that borders the county.

    (3) Two or more counties, by resolution of the respective boards of commissioners, may enter into an agreement to employ the same person to act as medical examiner for all of the counties.