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Rulemaking Activity

EMS and Trauma Systems Rulemaking Advisory Committees

Rulemaking Advisory Committees, also known as 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 amending current rules. Information relating to EMS and Trauma Systems rulemaking advisory committees are noted below. Additional information is also available about how a person or community affected by EMS and trauma system regulatory functions may apply to serve on a Rule Advisory Committee (RAC).

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

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OARs 333-250 and 333-265 - Licensing Requirements for Paramedics and Military Service Members and their Spouse or Domestic Partner


The Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division, EMS and Trauma Systems Program is proposing to permanently adopt and amend Oregon Administrative Rules in chapter 333, division 265 and division 250 relating to requirements to license a Paramedic and requirements to issue a license to a military service member, or the spouse or domestic partner of a military service member stationed in Oregon and who is licensed in another state. 

These rules are being amended in response to concerns raised by community partners regarding the Paramedic workforce shortage. The proposed amendments modify associate degree requirements for a person seeking to be licensed as a Paramedic, replacing the current Paramedic Provisional license with a Transitional Paramedic license. Persons currently licensed as a Provisional Paramedic will still be required to comply with the provisional rule but may apply for a Transitional Paramedic license. A person who does not have an associate degree may obtain a Transitional Paramedic license if currently certified by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) as a Paramedic and is sponsored by a licensed ambulance service and meets specified requirements. A Transitional Paramedic license would be valid for 24 months, and may be renewed, allowing an individual up to 48 months to obtain an associate degree and to apply for a Paramedic license. A Transitional Paramedic may submit a request for hardship status which may provide an additional 12 months to obtain the associate degree for a total of 60 months. 

Additional changes include:
  • ​Modifying the work experience necessary for a person to obtain a Paramedic license by reciprocity from three of five years, to allow proof of having at least two of the last five years of advanced life support, first response Paramedic experience; and
  • Adopting a new rule to comply with ORS 670.400, ORS 676.308, and new federal legislation allowing the program to issue a license to a service member or the spouse or domestic partner of a service member that is stationed in Oregon, and who has a license or certificate to practice as an EMS provider in another state. Rules specify documentation and other requirements necessary. 
Please see the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for further details.

Persons are being invited to review these proposed rules and to comment on them. Persons who wish to present oral testimony, a public hearing will be held via video/teleconference on September 20, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. To provide oral testimony during the hearing, please contact publichealth.rules@odhsoha.oregon.gov to sign-up and receive the link for the Microsoft Team video conference. Alternatively, persons may dial 971-277-2343, Phone Conference ID 838 810 5# for audio only.

Written comments may be filed before 5:00 p.m. on September 25, 2023, to the Public Health Division Rules Coordinator at the following address:

OHA, Public Health Division
Brittany Hall, Administrative Rules Coordinator
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 930
Portland, Oregon 97232

E-mail comments to: publichealth.rules@odhsoha.oregon.gov or send comments by fax to: (971) 673-1299.

Final rules will be filed after consideration of all comments. 

For more details, please see the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, including the Statement of Need and Fiscal and Racial Equity Impact, and the full text of these proposed rules:  
 Please contact Mellony Bernal at mellony.c.bernal@oha.oregon.gov for questions or to request a hardcopy. 


Accessibility Statement: For individuals with disabilities or individuals who speak a language other than English, OHA can provide information in alternate formats such as translations, large print, or braille. Contact the Public Health Division at 971-673-1222, 711 TTY or publichealth.rules@odhsoha.oregon.gov​. 

The following rule advisory committees (RACs) are in progress. 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 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 333-265 - Paramedic​ Licensure and Military Spouse/Domestic Partner Provision RAC

The purpose of this RAC is to consider the associate degree requirement for a Paramedic as well as requirements and documentation necessary for a spouse/domestic partner of a member of the armed forces who is licensed as an EMS provider in another state to seek temporary licensure in Oregon. (RAC process is complete and proposed rules out for comment.) 

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

Paused for further review - 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. (RAC recruitment is currently closed.)

Meeting date(s), agendas and meeting notes:

The EMS and Trauma Systems Program is seeking persons and communities who would be affected by administrative rules relating to any of EMS and Trauma System's regulatory functions and who would be interested in serving on a 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 the EMS and Trauma System Program. Persons interested in serving on future RACs relating to any of these topics are encouraged to send the completed RAC Interest Application form to mellony.c.​bernal@oha.oregon.gov​ 

Applications will be saved and applicants contacted when future RACs are convened. 

Regulatory Functions

  • Ambulance Service Licensing (OAR 333-250)
  • Ambulance Vehicle Licensing (OAR 333-255)
  • County Ambulance Service Area Plans (OAR 333-260)
  • Emergency Medical Services and Systems/Trauma Hospital Designation (OAR 333-200)
  • Emergency Medical Services Providers (OAR 333-265)
  • Oregon POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) Registry (OAR 333-270)
  • Training on Lifesaving Treatments (OAR 333-055)
  • Trauma System Hospital Designation in Trauma Area #1 (OAR 333-205)