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Ambulance Services and Agencies


Program Responsibilities

The Ambulance Service and Ambulance Licensing program has the responsibility for developing, implementing and enforcing the standards pertaining to the operation of ambulance services in the state of Oregon to ensure the citizens of and visitors to Oregon have access to efficient and effective ambulance services.

Regulatory Role

ORS 682

  1. Establishing standards for the licensing and the operation of ambulance services and ambulances - OAR 333-250 & OAR 333-255
  2. Establishing standards for county ambulance service area plans and to approve each county ambulance service area plan - OAR 333-260
  3. Conducting announced and unannounced inspections of ambulance service facilities, records and ambulances to ensure that the established standards are being met - OAR 333-250-0360 & OAR 333-250-0370 
  4. Responding to and investigating complaints - OAR 333-250-0350
  5. Approving medical directors, who provide direction of, and are ultimately responsible for emergency and non-emergency care rendered by licensed EMS providers affiliated with ambulance services and non-transporting emergency medical service agencies - OAR 847-035-0020

Key Resources

Service Information

Initial Applicants

OHA-EMS licenses and regulates ambulance services. To start the initial service license application process, use this link to go to eLicense​ and sign in to your existing account or create an account. Complete and submit the Initial Service Account Creation Form and you will be emailed further instructions.  A survey of the service facilities and ambulances will take place before a license is issued.

Service Renewal

Service and ambulance vehicle renewal applications will be available April 1 every year. To ensure you receive your service and vehicle licenses before July, applications must be submitted by May 30.

Complete the Service License Renewal Application and the Ambulance Vehicle License Application here: eLicense log in​ and go to Service Applications.

Ambulance Staffing

Basic Life Support (BLS): a licensed ground ambulance shall have a minimum of one qualified driver that meets the requirements specified in OAR 333-250-0270 (6), and one EMT or above or an ambulance-based clinician or two EMS providers, one of which must be an EMT or above, or two ambulance-based clinicians.

Advanced Life Support (ALS): A licensed ground ambulance shall have a minimum of two EMS providers, one of which must be an EMT or above and one AEMT, EMT-Intermediate, Paramedic or ambulance-based clinician.

Rural Staffing

​OHA-EMS determines if a licensed ambulance service meets the qualifications set forth in Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 333-255-0070 (4)​, which allows a rural ambulance service to operate a ground ambulance providing advanced life support with a qualified driver and one AEMT, EMT-Intermediate, Paramedic or ambulance-based clinician.

​Variance Requests​

Please refer to Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) Chapter 333, Division 250 - Ambulance Service Licensing:

Waiver or Variance from Standards OAR 333-250-0340 

Application requests and questions regarding rural staffing utilization, waivers, or variances from standards, please contact the office of EMS.

Contact Us​

OHA-EMS maintains an active database of non-transport agencies that voluntarily submit registration with basic demographic and contact information. Registered EMS agencies will be given an Oregon EMS agency number. This will allow Oregon licensed EMS providers to be affiliated with the registered agency in OHA-EMS's database for the purposes of license renewal payments and continuing education audits. Agency registry information is utilized to facilitate emergency preparedness and disaster response.

To start the registration process, use this link to go to eLicense and sign in to your existing account or create an account. Complete and submit the Initial Service Account Creation Form and you will be emailed further instructions.​


Contact your local city or county governmental agency for information about non-emergency medical transportation service rules and regulations.

Click here for information regarding the Oregon Health Plan, Ground Emergency Medical Transportation Supplemental Payment Program.​

Use this link to go to eLicense for these services:​​​​
  • Air Ambulance License Application
  • Ground Ambulance License​ Application​​
Memorandum on Ground Ambulance Construction Criteria Exceptions

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All licensed Oregon EMS agencies must have one emergency medical service medical director, responsible for issuing standing orders in accordance with OAR 847-035 and OAR 333-250-0300. Along with a medical director, a service may also have one or more agent(s) of the medical director.

​To Update a Medical Director or Agent of Medical Director:

​The medical director or agent of medical director must do the following:

The medical director or agent needs to be registered with the Oregon Health Authority, Emergency Medical Services Program (OHA-EMS). To register, they must create an account and complete a Medical Director/Agent of Medical Director Application in eLicense.

The agency must do the following:

The Oregon EMS service operations officer must complete the Service Medical Director Update Form available on their eLicense account.

Next Steps:

​​Once the medical director or agent has completed the application, and the service update form has completed, both will be processed by OHA-EMS. The physician will be added to the licensed Oregon EMS service. The service and medical director will receive an email when this has been completed. Licensed Oregon EMS services are required to notify OHA-EMS of a change in medical direction or agents 21 days prior to the change.

Requirements of a Medical Director or Agency of Medical Direction:

OAR 847-035​ specifies that each medical director or agent must:

  • ​Be a physician licensed under ORS 677.100 to 677.228, with an Active or Emeritus license status, and in good standing with the board
  • Possess thorough knowledge of skills assigned by standing order to emergency medical services providers
  • Possess thorough knowledge of laws and rules of the State of Oregon pertaining to emergency medical services providers

If the medical director or agent hasn’t already, they must complete one of the following within one year after beginning the position:

  • Thirty-six months of experience as an EMS medical director
  • Completion of the one-day National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP®) National EMS Medical Directors Course and Practicum®, or an equivalent course as approved by the Authority
  • Completion of an ACGME-approved Fellowship in EMS
  • Subspecialty board certification in EMS

A medical director must meet ongoing education standards by completing or obtaining one of the following every two calendar years:

  • Attendance at one Oregon Health Authority EMS supervising physician's forum
  • Completion of an average of four hours of EMS-related continuing medical education per year
  • Participation in maintenance of certification in the subspecialty of EMS