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Rules and Statutes

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

E​xhibit 1 - Oregon Trauma System Area Map
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
OAR 333-205Oregon Trauma System Hospital Identification in Trauma Area #1 
OAR 333-250Ambulance 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​
OAR 333-255Ambulance Licensing
OAR 333-260Ambulance Service Areas
OAR 333-264
EMS Education Requirements
Fact Sheet - EMS Education Standards_OAR chapter 333, division 264
OAR 333-265

EMS Providers

OAR 847-035EMS Providers and EMS Supervising Physicians Scope of Practice 
(Oregon Medical Board)
OAR 333-055

Programs to Treat Allergic Response, Adrenal Insufficiency, Hypoglycemia and Opiate Overdose

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ORS 431AEmergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems
ORS 431A.105Emergency Medical Services for Children Program
ORS 433.800-830Programs to Treat Allergic Response, Adrenal Insufficiency or Hypoglycemia
ORS 682Regulation of Ambulance Services and Emergency Medical Services Providers
ORS 431AConfidentiality under the Oregon Trauma System - see ORS 431A.090(4)(a)
ORS 431A.455Automated External Defibrillator (AED) required at places of public assembly
ORS 676Health 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:

  • 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 Stand​ards. 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.
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There are no temporary rules in place at this time.

There are no proposed rules out for public comment at this time.​

The following rule advisory committees (RACs) are in progress. RAC meetings are not sub​ject 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 location & 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. 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.

OAR 333-250 & 255 - Ambulance Service and Ambulance Vehicle Licensing Requirements

The purpose of this RAC is to discuss licensing requirement updates for an ambulance service and an ambulance vehicle. RAC meetings will be held on the dates noted below from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (RAC member recruitment is closed.)

Meeting date(s), agendas and meeting notes

RECENTLY COMPLETED ​​​

OAR 333-200 and 205 - Oregon Trauma Hospital Resource Standards - (Exhibit 4) RAC

The purpose of this RAC is to consider replacing the current Exhibit 4 based on the American College of Surgeons, Resources for the Optimal Care of the Injured Patient (2014) with the updated version from 2022. The EMS and Trauma Systems program is currently seeking persons and communities affected by these rules to serve on a Rule Advisory Committee. RAC process is complete and permanent rules filed (see 'Recently Filed New and Amended Rules.')

Meeting date(s), agendas and meeting notes
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The following meetings will held from 2pm-4pm PDT.

OAR 333-264 and 265 - EMS Provider Initial Education RAC

The purpose of this RAC is to consider amendments to initial education requirements for persons seeking licensure as an EMS provider based on changes to the certification examination policies and practices of the National Registry of EMTs, 2019 Scope of Practice Model and the 2021 National EMS Education Standards. RAC process is complete and permanent rules filed (see 'Recently Filed New and Amended Rules.')

Meeting date(s), agendas and meeting notes

OAR 333-200-0080 - Guidelines for Field Triage of Injured Patients (Exhibit 2) and Trauma Team Activation (Exhibit 3) RAC

The purpose of this RAC is to review proposed amendments to OAR 333-265-0080 and Exhibit 2 and the adoption of the 2021, National Guideline for Field Triage of Injured Patients. This RAC will also consider amendments to the Trauma Team Activation Criteria in Exhibit 3 which includes changes to align with Exhibit 2 and the addition of findings-based criteria to activate a trauma team. (The RAC process is complete and final rules were filed on 4/5/2024. Final rules are available 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 and send to mellony.c.bernal@oha.oregon.gov​. Applications will be saved and applicants contacted when future RACs are convened.

Regulatory programs: 

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Key Resources