EMS Statutes (ORS), Administrative Rules (OAR), and Rulemaking Activity
This page provides links to EMS-related regulations, including Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) and Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs). These regulations include, but are not limited to, EMS provider licensing, EMS provider continuing education, EMS provider education requirements, ambulance service agency licensing, ambulance vehicle licensing, and trauma hospital designation.
Information on rulemaking activities, including proposed rules released for public comment, current and past rulemaking advisory committee (RAC) activities, and how members of the public may apply to serve on future RACs, is also posted.
Oregon Rules and Statutes Information
OAR 333-200
| Oregon Trauma System Rules and Exhibits
Exhibit 2 - Guidelines for Field Triage of Injured Patients
Exhibit 3 - Oregon Hospital Trauma Team Activation Criteria
Exhibit 4 -
NEW - Effective 10/1/2025 - Oregon Trauma Hospital Resource Standards
Exhibit 4 (9/25/2018)- Oregon Trauma Hospital Resource Standards
Exhibit 5 - Oregon Criteria for Consideration of Transfer to a Level I or Level II Trauma Center |
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OAR 333-205 | Oregon Trauma System Hospital Identification in Trauma Area #1
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OAR 333-250 | Ambulance Service Licensing
Appendix 1 - Patient Encounter Data Transferred to Oregon Trauma Registry (OTR)
Appendix 2 - Patient Outcome Data Transferred to Oregon Emergency Medical Services Information Systems
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OAR 333-255 | Ambulance Licensing |
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OAR 333-260 | Ambulance Service Areas
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OAR 333-264
| EMS Education Requirements
Fact Sheet - EMS Education Standards_OAR chapter 333, division 264
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OAR 333-265 | EMS Providers |
OAR 333-270
| Oregon POLST - Physician Orders or Portable Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment Registry
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OAR 847-035 | EMS Providers and EMS Supervising Physicians Scope of Practice
(Oregon Medical Board) |
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OAR 333-055 | Programs to Treat Allergic Response, Adrenal Insufficiency, Hypoglycemia and Opiate Overdose |
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ORS 431A | Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems |
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ORS 431A.105 | Emergency Medical Services for Children Program |
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ORS 433.800-830 | Programs to Treat Allergic Response, Adrenal Insufficiency or Hypoglycemia |
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ORS 682 | Regulation of Ambulance Services and Emergency Medical Services Providers
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ORS 431A | Confidentiality under the Oregon Trauma System - see ORS 431A.090(4)(a) |
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ORS 431A.455 | Automated External Defibrillator (AED) required at places of public assembly |
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ORS 676 | Health Professionals Reporting and Complaints - see ORS 676.150 - 676.180
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Rulemaking Activity
Information relating to rulemaking actions by the EMS Program can be accessed below and includes information on current Rulemaking Advisory Committees (RACs) in progress. RACs are an important process that allow members of the public and communities to provide input and suggestions during the development of new rules or amendments to current rules. Persons interested in serving on a future RAC relating to EMS regulatory functions can find information about applying, under 'General Interest in Participating in Rulemaking Advisory Committees' below.
The following rules have been recently adopted or amended:
- Criminal Conviction Petition for Determination - OAR 333-265-0029 has been adopted that allows a person, prior to beginning an education program, to petition the EMS Program to seek a determination whether a criminal conviction may prevent the person from obtaining an EMS provider license. Persons interested in pursuing this option may do so through eLicense and must pay a $50 fee.
- Ambulance Service and Ambulance Vehicles - Ambulance Service and Ambulance Vehicle licensing requirements have been amended and revised rules will go into effect January 1, 2026. The changes to these administrative rules improve the accuracy, structure and clarity of the rules; align language with current processes including simplifying procedures; clarify licensing requirements; address concerns regarding ambulance service agencies responding to calls in accordance with an ambulance service plan; address enforcement issues for violation of ambulance service vehicle regulations; address confusion around ambulance vehicle construction requirements; and ensure that ambulance vehicles are properly cleaned and decontaminated or disinfected to ensure compliance with federal standards.
- EMS Initial Education Standards - The EMS and Trauma Systems program has adopted new administrative rules under
OAR chapter 333, division 264 and amended and repealed rules under
OAR chapter 333, division 265 relating to EMS initial education standards. These rules go into effective November 1, 2024. Administrative rules have been amended due to changes to the certification examination policies and practices of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, the 2019 National EMS Scope of Practice Model, and the 2021 National EMS Education Standards. More information about these changes can be found in the factsheet:
- Trauma Hospital Categorization and Resource Standards (Exhibit 4) - The EMS and Trauma Systems program has revised
OAR chapter 333, division 200 and
division 205 and corresponding Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 4. Rules go into effect November 1, 2024. A trauma system hospital must comply with the revised Exhibit 4 standards on or before October 1, 2025. A trauma system must continue to meet the Exhibit 4 standards dated September 25, 2018 until the revised standards are implemented.
- Field Triage Guidelines (Exhibit 2) and Trauma Team Activation Criteria (Exhibit 3) - The EMS and Trauma Systems program has revised OAR chapter 333, division 200 and corresponding Exhibit 2 to align with the revised 2021 National Guideline for Field Triage of Injured Patients. Exhibit 3 has been amended based on the changes to the field triage criteria and the American College of Surgeons, Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient (2022 Standards.) These amendments are effective October 15, 2024 at which time ambulance service agencies and trauma hospitals must comply with the revised standards. The current rules remain in effect until that date.
There are no temporary rules in place at this time.
Notice of Proposed Permanent Rulemaking: OAR chapter 333, division 260 – “Ambulance Service Plans”
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Public Health Division, Emergency Medical Services Program is proposing to permanently amend administrative rules in chapter 333, division 260 relating to the adoption and amendment of ambulance service plans and the establishment of ambulance service areas. These rules have not been updated since 2001. The proposed changes seek to modernize language to address longstanding gaps and challenges, reflect current processes, and align with statutory requirements.
In accordance with ORS 682.062, each county must create a plan for how ambulance services are organized. As part of this plan, counties must define specific areas where ambulance services will operate, making sure emergency services are delivered efficiently and effectively. The EMS Program is responsible for adopting rules identifying the subject matter that must be addressed in each plan, as well as reviewing and approving each county ambulance service plan.
For more details, including a description of each rule's proposed changes, please see the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking including the Statement of Need and Fiscal and Racial Equity Impacts, and the full text of the proposed rules:
You are invited to review and comment on the proposed rules. There are two (2) options to provide comment:
1) You may provide oral (spoken) testimony during a public hearing scheduled on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. Pacific Time via video/phone conference using Microsoft Teams.
- To provide oral testimony during this hearing:
- Join using the Meeting URL. You can also find the join link for the meeting in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking under “Remote Meeting Details” using the “Meeting URL."
- You may also contact the Public Health Division Rules Coordinator at publichealth.rules@odhsoha.oregon.gov to sign-up to give oral testimony and receive the link for the Microsoft Teams video conference via calendar appointment.
- To join the hearing via phone (audio/listen only), you may dial 971-277-2343, phone conference ID 142 883 816#
2) Written comments may be submitted before 5:00 P.M. Pacific Time on August 25, 2026:
Mail comments to: OHA-Public Health Division
Brittany Hall, Administrative Rules Coordinator
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 930
Portland, OR 97232
Send comments by fax to 971-673-1299
Final rules will be filed after consideration of all comments.
Accessibility Statement: For individuals with disabilities or individuals who speak a language other than English, OHA can provide free help. Some examples are sign language and spoken language interpreters, real-time captioning, braille, large print, audio, and written materials in other languages. If you need help with these services, please contact the Public Health Administrative Rules Coordinator at 971-673-1222, 711 TTY or
publichealth.rules@odhsoha.oregon.gov. All relay calls are accepted.
The following rulemaking advisory committees (RACs) are either currently active or in the recruitment phase or have been completed. RAC meetings are not subject to the public meetings law. Members of the public may attend in person or virtually to listen to the dialogue but may not participate or offer public comment during the meeting (see agenda for meeting link). Members of the public may submit comments or questions at the conclusion of the RAC meeting to
mellony.c.bernal@oha.oregon.gov and information will be shared with appropriate staff and RAC members. After the RAC process has concluded, information will be posted under "Proposed Rules Out for Public Comment" including time and location of public hearing and deadline for providing oral or written comments.
Active Rulemaking Advisory Committees
OAR 333-256 - Organ Transport Vehicle Licensure
The EMS Program is seeking individuals to serve on the Organ Transport Vehicle Rulemaking Advisory Committee. This RAC will review proposed new rules relating to the license application process and requirements for issuing an organ transport vehicle license to an organ procurement organization. Rule are being drafted in response to passage of SB 1161 (2025) - ORS 682.415. The RAC member application process has closed and RAC meetings concluded.
Meeting date(s), agenda and meeting notes
OAR 333-260 - Ambulance Service Plans
The purpose of this RAC is to modernize rule language to address longstanding gaps and challenges, clarify current processes, and evaluate possible new requirements to ensure that Oregon's ambulance service framework continues to meet the needs of communities across the state. The RAC member application process has closed and RAC meetings concluded.
Meeting dates(s), agendas and meeting notes
Completed Rulemaking Advisory Committees
OAR 333-250 & 255 - Ambulance Service and Ambulance Vehicle Licensing Requirements
This RAC discussed updates to licensing requirements for an ambulance service and an ambulance vehicle. The RAC concluded in January 2025 and permanent rules were filed in September 2025. Information on permanently adopted rules can be found under "Recently Filed New and Amended Rules."
Meeting date(s), agendas and meeting notes
EMS Rulemaking Advisory Committee Community Participation
The EMS Program is seeking persons and communities who would be affected by administrative rules relating to any of the EMS Program's regulatory functions and who would be interested in serving on a rulemaking advisory committee (RAC).
RACs are an important process that allow members of the public and communities to provide input and suggestions during the development of new administrative rules, amending or repealing existing rules, and identifying the potential fiscal impact on small business as well as the effect on racial equity in Oregon. Diverse opinions and viewpoints are an important part of the rulemaking process.
The following is a list of administrative rules pertaining to the regulatory and licensing functions of programs within EMS. Persons interested in serving on future RACs relating to any of these topics are encouraged to complete the RAC Interest Application Form. Applications will be saved and applicants contacted when future RACs are convened.
Regulatory programs: