Chapter 4765 | First Responders, Emergency Medical Technicians

Section 4765.01 | Definitions.

• Effective: July 6, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 138 - 134th General Assembly

As used in this chapter:

(A) "First responder" means an individual who holds a current, valid certificate issued under section 4765.30 of the Revised Code to practice as a first responder.

(B) "Emergency medical technician-basic" or "EMT-basic" means an individual who holds a current, valid certificate issued under section 4765.30 of the Revised Code to practice as an emergency medical technician-basic.

(C) "Emergency medical technician-intermediate" or "EMT-I" means an individual who holds a current, valid certificate issued under section 4765.30 of the Revised Code to practice as an emergency medical technician-intermediate.

(D) "Emergency medical technician-paramedic" or "paramedic" means an individual who holds a current, valid certificate issued under section 4765.30 of the Revised Code to practice as an emergency medical technician-paramedic.

(E) "Ambulance" means any motor vehicle that is used, or is intended to be used, for the purpose of responding to emergency medical situations, transporting emergency patients, and administering emergency medical service to patients before, during, or after transportation.

(F) "Cardiac monitoring" means a procedure used for the purpose of observing and documenting the rate and rhythm of a patient's heart by attaching electrical leads from an electrocardiograph monitor to certain points on the patient's body surface.

(G) "Emergency medical service" means any of the services that first responders, emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, and paramedics are authorized to perform pursuant to rules adopted by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. "Emergency medical service" includes such services performed before or during any transport of a patient, including transports between hospitals and transports to and from helicopters.

(H) "Emergency medical service organization" means a public or private organization using first responders, EMTs-basic, EMTs-I, or paramedics, or a combination of first responders, EMTs-basic, EMTs-I, and paramedics, to provide emergency medical services.

(I) "Physician" means an individual who holds a current, valid license issued under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code authorizing the practice of medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery.

(J) "Registered nurse" means an individual who holds a current, valid license issued under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code authorizing the practice of nursing as a registered nurse.

(K) "Volunteer" means a person who provides services either for no compensation or for compensation that does not exceed the actual expenses incurred in providing the services or in training to provide the services.

(L) "Emergency medical service personnel" means first responders, emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, emergency medical technicians-paramedic, and persons who provide medical direction to such persons.

(M) "Hospital" has the same meaning as in section 3727.01 of the Revised Code.

(N) "Trauma" or "traumatic injury" means severe damage to or destruction of tissue that satisfies both of the following conditions:

(1) It creates a significant risk of any of the following:

(a) Loss of life;

(b) Loss of a limb;

(c) Significant, permanent disfigurement;

(d) Significant, permanent disability.

(2) It is caused by any of the following:

(a) Blunt or penetrating injury;

(b) Exposure to electromagnetic, chemical, or radioactive energy;

(c) Drowning, suffocation, or strangulation;

(d) A deficit or excess of heat.

(O) "Trauma victim" or "trauma patient" means a person who has sustained a traumatic injury.

(P) "Trauma care" means the assessment, diagnosis, transportation, treatment, or rehabilitation of a trauma victim by emergency medical service personnel or by a physician, nurse, physician assistant, respiratory therapist, physical therapist, chiropractor, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, audiologist, or psychologist licensed to practice as such in this state or another jurisdiction.

(Q) "Trauma center" means all of the following:

(1) Any hospital that is verified by the American college of surgeons as an adult or pediatric trauma center;

(2) Any hospital that is operating as an adult or pediatric trauma center under provisional status pursuant to section 3727.101 of the Revised Code;

(3) Until December 31, 2004, any hospital in this state that is designated by the director of health as a level II pediatric trauma center under section 3727.081 of the Revised Code;

(4) Any hospital in another state that is licensed or designated under the laws of that state as capable of providing specialized trauma care appropriate to the medical needs of the trauma patient.

(R) "Pediatric" means involving a patient who is less than sixteen years of age.

(S) "Adult" means involving a patient who is not a pediatric patient.

(T) "Geriatric" means involving a patient who is at least seventy years old or exhibits significant anatomical or physiological characteristics associated with advanced aging.

(U) "Air medical organization" means an organization that provides emergency medical services, or transports emergency victims, by means of fixed or rotary wing aircraft.

(V) "Emergency care" and "emergency facility" have the same meanings as in section 3727.01 of the Revised Code.

(W) "Stabilize" has the same meaning as in section 1753.28 of the Revised Code.

(X) "Transfer" has the same meaning as in section 1753.28 of the Revised Code.

(Y) "Firefighter" means any member of a fire department as defined in section 742.01 of the Revised Code.

(Z) "Volunteer firefighter" has the same meaning as in section 146.01 of the Revised Code.

(AA) "Part-time paid firefighter" means a person who provides firefighting services on less than a full-time basis, is routinely scheduled to be present on site at a fire station or other designated location for purposes of responding to a fire or other emergency, and receives more than nominal compensation for the provision of firefighting services.

(BB) "Physician assistant" means an individual who holds a valid license to practice as a physician assistant issued under Chapter 4730. of the Revised Code.

(CC) "Advanced practice registered nurse" has the same meaning as in section 4723.01 of the Revised Code.

Last updated April 13, 2022 at 1:28 PM

Section 4765.011 | Designation as EMR, EMT, or AEMT.

• Effective: September 23, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 128 - 129th General Assembly

(A) With respect to the following individuals who receive certificates to practice issued under this chapter, all of the following apply:

(1) A first responder shall be also known as an emergency medical responder or EMR;

(2) An emergency medical technician-basic or EMT-basic shall be also known as an emergency medical technician or EMT, respectively;

(3) An emergency medical technician-intermediate or EMT-I shall be also known as an advanced emergency medical technician or AEMT, respectively.

(B) With respect to the provisions of this chapter and all other provisions of the Revised Code that refer to the individuals specified in division (A) of this section, all of the following apply:

(1) A reference to a first responder is deemed to be a reference to an emergency medical responder or EMR;

(2) A reference to an emergency medical technician-basic or EMT-basic is deemed to be a reference to an emergency medical technician or EMT, respectively;

(3) A reference to an emergency medical technician-intermediate or EMT-I is deemed to be a reference to an advanced emergency medical technician or AEMT, respectively.

Section 4765.02 | State board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A)(1) There is hereby created the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services within the division of emergency medical services of the department of public safety. The board shall consist of the members specified in this section who are residents of this state. The governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint all members of the board, except the employee of the department of public safety designated by the director of public safety under this section to be a member of the board. In making the appointments, the governor shall appoint only members with background or experience in emergency medical services or trauma care and shall attempt to include members representing urban and rural areas, various geographical regions of the state, and various schools of training.

(2) One member of the board shall be a physician certified by the American board of emergency medicine or the American osteopathic board of emergency medicine who is active in the practice of emergency medicine and is actively involved with an emergency medical service organization. The governor shall appoint this member from among persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the American college of emergency physicians and persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association. One member shall be a physician certified by the American board of surgery or the American osteopathic board of surgery who is active in the practice of trauma surgery and is actively involved with emergency medical services. The governor shall appoint this member from among persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the American college of surgeons and persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association. One member shall be a physician certified by the American academy of pediatrics or American osteopathic board of pediatrics who is active in the practice of pediatric emergency medicine and actively involved with an emergency medical service organization. The governor shall appoint this member from among persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the American academy of pediatrics and persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association. One member shall be the administrator of a hospital located in this state. The governor shall appoint this member from among persons nominated by OHA: the association for hospitals and health systems, persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association, and persons nominated by the association of Ohio children's hospitals. One member shall be an adult or pediatric trauma program manager or trauma program director who is involved in the daily management of a verified trauma center. The governor shall appoint this member from among persons nominated by the Ohio nurses association, persons nominated by the Ohio society of trauma nurse leaders, and persons nominated by the Ohio state council of the emergency nurses association. One member shall be the chief of a fire department that is also an emergency medical service organization in which more than fifty per cent of the persons who provide emergency medical services are full-time paid employees. The governor shall appoint this member from among persons nominated by the Ohio fire chiefs' association. One member shall be the chief of a fire department that is also an emergency medical service organization in which more than fifty per cent of the persons who provide emergency medical services are volunteers. The governor shall appoint this member from among persons nominated by the Ohio fire chiefs' association. One member shall be a person who is certified to teach under section 4765.23 of the Revised Code and holds a valid certificate to practice as an EMT, AEMT, or paramedic. One member shall be an EMT, AEMT, or paramedic, and one member shall be a paramedic. The governor shall appoint these members from among EMTs, AEMTs, and paramedics nominated by the Ohio association of professional fire fighters and EMTs, AEMTs, and paramedics nominated by the northern Ohio fire fighters. One member shall be an EMT, AEMT, or paramedic, and one member shall be a paramedic. The governor shall appoint these members from among EMTs, AEMTs, and paramedics nominated by the Ohio state firefighter's association. One member shall be a person whom the governor shall appoint from among an EMT, AEMT, or a paramedic nominated by the Ohio association of emergency medical services or the Ohio ambulance and medical transportation association. One member shall be an EMT, AEMT, or a paramedic, whom the governor shall appoint from among persons nominated by the Ohio ambulance and medical transportation association. One member shall be a paramedic, whom the governor shall appoint from among persons nominated by the Ohio ambulance and medical transportation association. One member shall be the owner or operator of a private emergency medical service organization whom the governor shall appoint from among persons nominated by the Ohio ambulance and medical transportation association. One member shall be a member of a third-service emergency medical service agency or organization whom the governor shall appoint from among persons nominated by the Ohio EMS chiefs association. One member shall be a provider of mobile intensive care unit transportation in this state whom the governor shall appoint from among persons nominated by the Ohio association of critical care transport. One member shall be a provider of air-medical transportation in this state whom the governor shall appoint from among persons nominated by the Ohio association of critical care transport. One member shall be the owner or operator of a nonemergency medical service organization in this state that provides ambulette services whom the governor shall appoint from among persons nominated by the Ohio ambulance and medical transportation association.

The governor may refuse to appoint any of the persons nominated by one or more organizations under division (A)(2) of this section, except the employee of the department of public safety designated by the director of public safety under this section to be a member of the board. In that event, the organization or organizations shall continue to nominate persons until the governor appoints to the board one or more of the persons nominated by the organization or organizations. If any nominating organization ceases to exist or fails to make a nomination of a member within sixty days of a vacancy, the governor may appoint any person who meets the designated professional qualifications for that member.

The director of public safety shall designate an employee of the department of public safety to serve as a member of the board at the director's pleasure. This member shall serve as a liaison between the department and the division of emergency medical services in cooperation with the executive director of the board.

(B) Terms of office of all members appointed by the governor shall be for three years, each term ending on the same day of the same month as did the term it succeeds. Each member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. A member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member's term until the member's successor takes office, or until a period of three years has elapsed, whichever occurs first.

Each vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. A member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term.

The term of a member shall expire if the member ceases to meet any of the requirements to be appointed as that member. The governor may remove any member from office for neglect of duty, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance, after an adjudication hearing held in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(C) The members of the board shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in carrying out their duties as board members.

(D) The board shall organize by annually selecting a chair and vice-chair from among its members. The board may adopt bylaws to regulate its affairs. A majority of all members of the board shall constitute a quorum. No action shall be taken without the concurrence of a majority of all members of the board. The board shall meet at least four times annually and at the call of the chair. The chair shall call a meeting on the request of the executive director or the medical director of the board or on the written request of five members. The board shall maintain written or electronic records of its meetings.

(E) Upon twenty-four hours' notice from a member of the board, the member's employer shall release the member from the member's employment duties to attend meetings of the full board. Nothing in this division requires the employer of a member of the board to compensate the member for time the member is released from employment duties under this paragraph, but any civil immunity, workers' compensation, disability, or similar coverage that applies to a member of the board as a result of the member's employment shall continue to apply while the member is released from employment duties under this paragraph.

Last updated October 3, 2023 at 4:33 PM

Section 4765.03 | Executive director duties.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

(A) The director of public safety shall appoint a full-time executive director for the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services. The executive director shall be knowledgeable in emergency medical services and trauma care and shall serve at the pleasure of the director of public safety. The director of public safety shall appoint the executive director from among three persons nominated by the board. The director of public safety may refuse, for cause, to appoint any of the board's nominees. If the director fails to appoint any of the board's nominees, the board shall continue to nominate groups of three persons until the director does appoint one of the board's nominees. The executive director shall serve as the chief executive officer of the board and as the executive director of the division of emergency medical services. The executive director shall attend each meeting of the board, except the board may exclude the executive director from discussions concerning the employment or performance of the executive director or medical director of the board. The executive director shall give a surety bond to the state in such sum as the board determines, conditioned on the faithful performance of the duties of the executive director's office. The executive director shall receive a salary from the board and shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in carrying out duties as executive director.

The executive director shall submit a report to the director of public safety at least every three months regarding the status of emergency medical services in this state. The executive director shall meet with the director of public safety at the director's request.

(B) The board shall appoint a medical director, who shall serve at the pleasure of the board. The medical director shall be a physician certified by the American board of emergency medicine or the American osteopathic board of emergency medicine who is active in the practice of emergency medicine and has been actively involved with an emergency medical service organization for at least five years prior to being appointed. The board shall consider any recommendations for this appointment from the Ohio chapter of the American college of emergency physicians, the Ohio chapter of the American college of surgeons, the Ohio chapter of the American academy of pediatrics, the Ohio osteopathic association, and the Ohio state medical association.

The medical director shall direct the executive director and advise the board with regard to adult and pediatric trauma and emergency medical services issues. The medical director shall attend each meeting of the board, except the board may exclude the medical director from discussions concerning the appointment or performance of the medical director or executive director of the board. The medical director shall be employed and paid by the board and shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in carrying out duties as medical director.

(C) The board may appoint employees as it determines necessary. The board shall prescribe the duties and titles of its employees.

Section 4765.04 | Firefighter and fire safety inspector training committee - trauma committee - other committees and subcommittees.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The firefighter and fire safety inspector training committee of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services is hereby created and shall consist of the members of the board who are chiefs of fire departments, and the members of the board who are emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, and emergency medical technicians-paramedic appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio association of professional fire fighters or the northern Ohio fire fighters and from among persons nominated by the Ohio state firefighter's association. Each member of the committee, except the chairperson, may designate a person with fire experience to serve in that member's place. The members of the committee or their designees shall select a chairperson from among the members or their designees.

The committee may conduct investigations in the course of discharging its duties under this chapter. In the course of an investigation, the committee may issue subpoenas. If a person subpoenaed fails to comply with the subpoena, the committee may authorize its chairperson to apply to the court of common pleas in the county where the person to be subpoenaed resides for an order compelling compliance in the same manner as compliance with a subpoena issued by the court is compelled.

(B) The trauma committee of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services is hereby created and shall consist of the following members appointed by the director of public safety:

(1) A physician who is certified by the American board of surgery or American osteopathic board of surgery and actively practices general trauma surgery, appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the American college of surgeons, persons nominated by the Ohio state medical association, and persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association;

(2) A physician who is certified by the American board of surgery or the American osteopathic board of surgery and actively practices orthopedic trauma surgery, appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio orthopedic society and persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association;

(3) A physician who is certified by the American board of neurological surgeons or the American osteopathic board of surgery and actively practices neurosurgery on trauma victims, appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio state neurological society and persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association;

(4) A physician who is certified by the American board of surgeons or American osteopathic board of surgeons and actively specializes in treating burn victims, appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the American college of surgeons and persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association;

(5) A dentist who is certified by the American board of oral and maxillofacial surgery and actively practices oral and maxillofacial surgery, appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio dental association;

(6) A physician who is certified by the American board of physical medicine and rehabilitation or American osteopathic board of physical medicine and rehabilitation and actively provides rehabilitative care to trauma victims, appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio society of physical medicine and rehabilitation and persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association;

(7) A physician who is certified by the American board of surgery or American osteopathic board of surgery with special qualifications in pediatric surgery and actively practices pediatric trauma surgery, appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the American academy of pediatrics and persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association;

(8) A physician who is certified by the American board of emergency medicine or American osteopathic board of emergency medicine, actively practices emergency medicine, and is actively involved in emergency medical services, appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the American college of emergency physicians and persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association;

(9) A physician who is certified by the American board of pediatrics, American osteopathic board of pediatrics, American board of emergency medicine, or American osteopathic board of emergency medicine, is sub-boarded in pediatric emergency medicine, actively practices pediatric emergency medicine, and is actively involved in emergency medical services, appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the American academy of pediatrics, persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the American college of emergency physicians, and persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association;

(10) A physician who is certified by the American board of surgery, American osteopathic board of surgery, American board of emergency medicine, or American osteopathic board of emergency medicine and is the chief medical officer of an air medical organization, appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio association of air medical services;

(11) A coroner or medical examiner appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio state coroners' association;

(12) A registered nurse who actively practices trauma nursing at an adult or pediatric trauma center, appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio association of trauma nurse coordinators;

(13) A registered nurse who actively practices emergency nursing and is actively involved in emergency medical services, appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the emergency nurses' association;

(14) The chief trauma registrar of an adult or pediatric trauma center, appointed from among persons nominated by the alliance of Ohio trauma registrars;

(15) The administrator of an adult or pediatric trauma center, appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio hospital association, persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association, persons nominated by the association of Ohio children's hospitals, and persons nominated by the health forum of Ohio;

(16) The administrator of a hospital that is not a trauma center and actively provides emergency care to adult or pediatric trauma patients, appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio hospital association, persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association, persons nominated by the association of Ohio children's hospitals, and persons nominated by the health forum of Ohio;

(17) The operator of an ambulance company that actively provides trauma care to emergency patients, appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio ambulance association;

(18) The chief of a fire department that actively provides trauma care to emergency patients, appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio fire chiefs' association;

(19) An EMT or paramedic who is certified under this chapter and actively provides trauma care to emergency patients, appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio association of professional firefighters, persons nominated by the northern Ohio fire fighters, persons nominated by the Ohio state firefighters' association, and persons nominated by the Ohio association of emergency medical services;

(20) A person who actively advocates for trauma victims, appointed from persons nominated by the Ohio brain injury association;

(21) A physician or nurse who has substantial administrative responsibility for trauma care provided in or by an adult or pediatric trauma center, appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio hospital association, persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association, persons nominated by the association of Ohio children's hospitals, and persons nominated by the health forum of Ohio;

(22) Three representatives of hospitals that are not trauma centers and actively provide emergency care to trauma patients, appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio hospital association, persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association, persons nominated by the association of Ohio children's hospitals, and persons nominated by the health forum of Ohio. The representatives may be hospital administrators, physicians, nurses, or other clinical professionals.

Members of the committee shall have substantial experience in the categories they represent, shall be residents of this state, and may be members of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services. In appointing members of the committee, the director shall attempt to include members representing urban and rural areas, various geographical areas of the state, and various schools of training. The director shall not appoint to the committee more than one member who is employed by or who primarily practices at the same hospital or emergency medical service organization.

The director may refuse to appoint any of the persons nominated by an organization or organizations under this division. In that event, the organization or organizations shall continue to nominate persons until the director appoints to the committee one or more of the persons nominated by the organization or organizations. If any nominating organization ceases to exist or fails to make a nomination of a member to the committee within sixty days of a vacancy, the director may appoint any person who meets the designated professional qualifications for that member.

Initial appointments to the committee shall be made by the director not later than ninety days after November 3, 2000. Members of the committee shall serve at the pleasure of the director, except that any member of the committee who ceases to be qualified for the position to which the member was appointed shall cease to be a member of the committee. Vacancies on the committee shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments.

The members of the committee shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in carrying out duties as members of the committee.

The committee shall select a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among its members. A majority of all members of the committee shall constitute a quorum. No action shall be taken without the concurrence of a majority of all members of the committee. The committee shall meet at the call of the chair, upon written request of five members of the committee, and at the direction of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services. The committee shall not meet at times or locations that conflict with meetings of the board. The executive director and medical director of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services may participate in any meeting of the committee and shall do so at the request of the committee.

The committee shall advise and assist the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services in matters related to adult and pediatric trauma care and the establishment and operation of the state trauma registry. In matters relating to the state trauma registry, the board and the committee shall consult with trauma registrars from adult and pediatric trauma centers in the state. The committee may appoint a subcommittee to advise and assist with the trauma registry. The subcommittee may include persons with expertise relevant to the trauma registry who are not members of the board or committee.

(C)(1) The medical transportation committee of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services is hereby created. The committee shall consist of members appointed by the board in accordance with rules adopted by the board. In appointing members of the committee, the board shall attempt to include members representing urban and rural areas and various geographical areas of the state, and shall ensure the members have substantial experience in the transportation of patients, including addressing the unique issues of mobile intensive care and air medical services. The members of the committee shall be residents of this state and may be members of the board. The members of the committee shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in carrying out duties as members of the committee. The committee shall select a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among its members. A majority of all members of the committee shall constitute a quorum. No action shall be taken without the concurrence of a majority of all members of the committee. The committee shall meet at the call of the chair and at the direction of the board. The committee shall not meet at times or locations that conflict with meetings of the board. The committee shall advise and assist the board in matters related to the licensing of nonemergency medical service, emergency medical service, and air medical service organizations in this state.

(2) There is hereby created the critical care subcommittee of the medical transportation committee. The membership of the subcommittee and the conduct of the subcommittee's business shall conform to rules adopted by the board. The subcommittee shall advise and assist the committee and board in matters relating to mobile intensive care and air medical service organizations in this state.

(D) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services may appoint other committees and subcommittees as it considers necessary.

(E) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, and any of its committees or subcommittees, may request assistance from any state agency. The board and its committees and subcommittees may permit persons who are not members of those bodies to participate in deliberations of those bodies, but no person who is not a member of the board shall vote on the board and no person who is not a member of a committee created under division (A), (B), or (C) of this section shall vote on that committee.

(F) Sections 101.82 to 101.87 of the Revised Code do not apply to the committees established under divisions (A), (B), and (C) of this section.

Last updated October 3, 2023 at 4:33 PM

Section 4765.05 | Prehospital emergency medical services regions.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "prehospital emergency medical services" means an emergency medical services system that provides medical services to patients who require immediate assistance, because of illness or injury, prior to their arrival at an emergency medical facility.

(B) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall divide the state geographically into prehospital emergency medical services regions for purposes of overseeing the delivery of adult and pediatric prehospital emergency medical services. For each prehospital emergency medical services region, the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall appoint either a physician to serve as the regional director or a physician advisory board to serve as the regional advisory board. The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall specify the duties of each regional director and regional advisory board. Regional directors and members of regional advisory boards shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in carrying out duties as regional directors and members of regional advisory boards.

(C) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit in any way the ability of a hospital to determine the market area of that hospital.

Section 4765.06 | Emergency medical services incidence reporting system - state trauma registry.

• Effective: March 22, 2019
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 229 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall establish an emergency medical services incidence reporting system for the collection of information regarding the delivery of emergency medical services in this state and the frequency at which the services are provided. All emergency medical service organizations shall submit to the board any information that the board determines is necessary for maintaining the incidence reporting system.

(B) The board shall establish a state trauma registry to be used for the collection of information regarding the care of adult and pediatric trauma victims in this state. The registry shall provide for the reporting of adult and pediatric trauma-related deaths, identification of adult and pediatric trauma patients, monitoring of adult and pediatric trauma patient care data, determination of the total amount of uncompensated adult and pediatric trauma care provided annually by each facility that provides care to trauma victims, and collection of any other information specified by the board. All persons designated by the board shall submit to the board any information it determines is necessary for maintaining the state trauma registry. At the request of the board any state agency possessing information regarding adult or pediatric trauma care shall provide the information to the board. The board shall maintain the state trauma registry in accordance with rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

Rules relating to the state trauma registry adopted under this section and section 4765.11 of the Revised Code shall not prohibit the operation of other trauma registries and may provide for the reporting of information to the state trauma registry by or through other trauma registries in a manner consistent with information otherwise reported to the state trauma registry. Other trauma registries may report aggregate information to the state trauma registry, provided the information can be matched to the person that reported it. Information maintained by another trauma registry and reported to the state trauma registry in lieu of being reported directly to the state trauma registry is a public record and shall be maintained, made available to the public, held in confidence, risk adjusted, and not subject to discovery or introduction into evidence in a civil action as provided in section 149.43 of the Revised Code and this section. Any person who provides, maintains, or risk adjusts such information shall comply with this section and rules adopted under it in performing that function and has the same immunities with respect to that function as a person who performs that function with respect to the state trauma registry.

(C) The board and any employee or contractor of the board or the department of public safety shall not make public information it receives under Chapter 4765. of the Revised Code that identifies or would tend to identify a specific recipient of emergency medical services or adult or pediatric trauma care.

(D) Not later than two years after November 3, 2000, the board shall adopt and implement rules under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code that provide written standards and procedures for risk adjustment of information received by the board under Chapter 4765. of the Revised Code. The rules shall be developed in consultation with appropriate medical, hospital, and emergency medical service organizations and may provide for risk adjustment by a contractor of the board. Except as provided in division (G) or (H) of this section, before risk adjustment standards and procedures are implemented, no member of the board and no employee or contractor of the board or the department of public safety shall make public information received by the board under Chapter 4765. of the Revised Code that identifies or would tend to identify a specific provider of emergency medical services or adult or pediatric trauma care. Except as provided in division (G) or (H) of this section, after risk adjustment standards and procedures are implemented, the board shall make public such information only on a risk adjusted basis.

(E) The board shall adopt rules under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code that specify procedures for ensuring the confidentiality of information that is not to be made public under this section. The rules shall specify the circumstances in which deliberations of the persons performing risk adjustment functions under this section are not open to the public and records of those deliberations are maintained in confidence. Nothing in this section prohibits the board from making public statistical information that does not identify or tend to identify a specific recipient or provider of emergency medical services or adult or pediatric trauma care.

(F) No provider that furnishes information to the board with respect to any patient the provider examined or treated shall, because of this furnishing, be deemed liable in damages to any person or be held to answer for betrayal of a professional confidence in the absence of willful or wanton misconduct. No such information shall be subject to introduction in evidence in any civil action against the provider. No provider that furnishes information to the board shall be liable for the misuse or improper release of the information by the board or any other person.

No person who performs risk adjustment functions under this section shall, because of performing such functions, be held liable in a civil action for betrayal of professional confidence or otherwise in the absence of willful or wanton misconduct.

(G) In the case of data that identifies or tends to identify a specific recipient or provider of emergency medical services care and has not been risk-adjusted from the emergency medical services incident reporting system, the board may transmit the data directly to the national emergency medical services information system or another electronic information system if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The federal agency or entity administering the information system collects, stores, and organizes data for research and monitoring purposes.

(2) The board transmits the data pursuant to a written contract between the board and federal agency or entity administering the information system.

(3) The contract provides that, to the maximum extent permitted by federal law, the agency or entity shall use the data solely for inclusion in the information system and shall not disclose the data to the public, through legal discovery, a freedom of information request, or otherwise, in a manner that identifies or tends to identify a specific recipient or provider of emergency medical services care.

(H) In the case of data that identifies or tends to identify a specific trauma care recipient or provider and has not been risk-adjusted from the state trauma registry, the board may transmit the data directly to the national trauma data bank or another electronic information system if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The entity administering the data bank or information system collects, stores, and organizes data for research and monitoring purposes.

(2) The board transmits the data pursuant to a written contract between the board and entity.

(3) The contract provides that, to the maximum extent permitted by federal law, the entity shall use the data solely for inclusion in the data bank or information system and shall not disclose the data to the public, through legal discovery, a freedom of information request, or otherwise, in a manner that identifies or tends to identify a specific trauma care recipient or provider.

Section 4765.07 | Administrative rules for grant program.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

(A) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall adopt rules under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code to establish and administer a grant program under which grants are distributed according to the following priorities:

(1) First priority shall be given to emergency medical service organizations for the training of personnel, for the purchase of equipment and vehicles, and to improve the availability, accessibility, and quality of emergency medical services in this state. In this category, the board shall give priority to grants that fund training and equipping of emergency medical service personnel.

(2) Second priority shall be given to entities that research, test, and evaluate medical procedures and systems related to adult and pediatric trauma care.

(3) Third priority shall be given to entities that research the causes, nature, and effects of traumatic injuries, educate the public about injury prevention, and implement, test, and evaluate injury prevention strategies.

(4) Fourth priority shall be given to entities that research, test, and evaluate procedures that promote the rehabilitation, retraining, and reemployment of adult or pediatric trauma victims and social service support mechanisms for adult or pediatric trauma victims and their families.

(5) Fifth priority shall be given to entities that conduct research on, test, or evaluate one or more of the following:

(a) Procedures governing the performance of emergency medical services in this state;

(b) The training of emergency medical service personnel;

(c) The staffing of emergency medical service organizations.

(6) For grants distributed for the grant award years occurring not later than the award year ending June 30, 2017, sixth priority shall be given to entities that operate paramedic training programs and are seeking national accreditation of the programs.

(B) To be eligible for a grant distributed pursuant to division (A)(6) of this section, an applicant for the grant shall meet all of the following conditions:

(1) Hold a certificate of accreditation issued by the board under section 4765.17 of the Revised Code to operate a paramedic training program;

(2) Be seeking initial national accreditation of the program from an accrediting organization approved by the board;

(3) Apply for the national accreditation on or after February 25, 2010.

(C) The grant program shall be funded from the trauma and emergency medical services fund created by section 4513.263 of the Revised Code.

Section 4765.08 | Statewide emergency medical services plan - statewide regulation of emergency medical services during periods of disaster.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall prepare a statewide emergency medical services plan and shall revise the plan as necessary.

The board shall prepare a plan for the statewide regulation of emergency medical services during periods of disaster. The plan shall be consistent with the statewide emergency medical services plan required under this section and with the statewide emergency operations plan required under section 5502.22 of the Revised Code. The board shall submit the plan to the emergency management agency created under section 5502.22 of the Revised Code. The board shall cooperate with the agency in any other manner the agency considers necessary to develop and implement the statewide emergency operations plan.

Section 4765.09 | Recommendations for operation of ambulance and emergency medical service organizations.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall prepare recommendations for the operation of ambulance service organizations, air medical organizations, and emergency medical service organizations. Within thirty days following the preparation or modification of recommendations, the board shall notify the board of county commissioners of any county, the board of township trustees of any township, the board of trustees of any joint ambulance district, or the board of trustees of any joint emergency medical services district in which there exist ambulance service organizations, air medical organizations, or emergency medical service organizations of any board recommendations for the operation of such organizations. The recommendations shall include, but not be limited to:

(A) The definition and classification of ambulances and medical aircraft;

(B) The design, equipment, and supplies for ambulances and medical aircraft, including special equipment, supplies, training, and staffing required to assist pediatric and geriatric emergency victims;

(C) The minimum number and type of personnel for the operation of ambulances and medical aircraft;

(D) The communication systems necessary for the operation of ambulances and medical aircraft;

(E) Reports to be made by persons holding certificates of accreditation or approval issued under section 4765.17 of the Revised Code and certificates to practice issued under section 4765.30 of the Revised Code to ascertain compliance with this chapter and the rules and recommendations adopted thereunder and to ascertain the quantity and quality of ambulance service organizations, air medical organizations, and emergency medical service organizations throughout the state.

Section 4765.10 | State board - powers and duties.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 52 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall do all of the following:

(1) Administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter and the rules adopted under it;

(2) Approve, in accordance with procedures established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code, examinations that demonstrate competence to have a certificate to practice renewed without completing a continuing education program;

(3) Advise applicants for state or federal emergency medical services funds, review and comment on applications for these funds, and approve the use of all state and federal funds designated solely for emergency medical service programs unless federal law requires another state agency to approve the use of all such federal funds;

(4) Serve as a statewide clearinghouse for discussion, inquiry, and complaints concerning emergency medical services;

(5) Make recommendations to the general assembly on legislation to improve the delivery of emergency medical services;

(6) Maintain a toll-free long distance telephone number through which it shall respond to questions about emergency medical services;

(7) Work with appropriate state offices in coordinating the training of firefighters and emergency medical service personnel. Other state offices that are involved in the training of firefighters or emergency medical service personnel shall cooperate with the board and its committees and subcommittees to achieve this goal.

(8) Provide a liaison to the state emergency operation center during those periods when a disaster, as defined in section 5502.21 of the Revised Code, has occurred in this state and the governor has declared an emergency as defined in that section.

(B) The board may do any of the following:

(1) Investigate complaints concerning emergency medical services and emergency medical service organizations as it determines necessary;

(2) Establish a statewide public information system and public education programs regarding emergency medical services;

(3) Establish an injury prevention program.

(C) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall not regulate any profession that otherwise is regulated by another board, commission, or similar regulatory entity.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 5:20 AM

Section 4765.101 | Complaint and investigation of violations.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

(A) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall investigate any allegation that a person has violated this chapter or a rule adopted under it.

Any person may submit to the board a written complaint regarding an alleged violation of this chapter or a rule adopted under it. In the absence of fraud or bad faith, no person submitting a complaint to the board or testifying in an adjudication hearing conducted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code with regard to such an alleged violation shall be liable to any person in damages in a civil action as a result of submitting the complaint or providing testimony.

(B) In investigating an allegation, the board may do any of the following:

(1) Administer oaths;

(2) Order the taking of depositions;

(3) Issue subpoenas;

(4) Compel the attendance of witnesses and production of books, accounts, papers, records, documents, and testimony.

(C) A subpoena for patient record information shall not be issued without consultation with the attorney general's office and approval of the executive director of the board. Before issuance of a subpoena for patient record information, the executive director shall determine whether there is probable cause to believe that the complaint filed alleges a violation of this chapter or any rule adopted under it and that the records sought are relevant to the alleged violation and material to the investigation. The subpoena may apply only to records that cover a reasonable period of time surrounding the alleged violation.

(D) On failure to comply with any subpoena issued by the board and after reasonable notice to the person being subpoenaed, the board may move, pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure, for an order compelling the production of persons or records.

(E) A subpoena issued by the board may be served by a sheriff, the sheriff's deputy, or an investigator for the division of emergency medical services of the department of public safety. Service of a subpoena issued by the board may be made by delivering a copy of the subpoena to the person named in it, reading it to the person, or leaving it at the person's usual place of residence. When the person being served is an individual authorized by this chapter to practice emergency medical services, service of the subpoena may be made by certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested, and the subpoena shall be deemed served on the date delivery is made or on the date that the person refuses to accept delivery.

Section 4765.102 | Investigative information confidential.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "licensing agency" means any entity that has the authority pursuant to Title XLVII of the Revised Code to issue a license, and any other agency of this or another state, other than the Ohio supreme court, that has the authority to issue a license that authorizes an individual to engage in an occupation or profession. "Licensing agency" includes an administrative officer that has authority to issue a license that authorizes an individual to engage in an occupation or profession.

(B) Except as provided in divisions (C) and (D) of this section and section 4765.111 of the Revised Code, all information the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services receives pursuant to an investigation, including information regarding an alleged violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it or a complaint submitted under division (A) of section 4765.101 of the Revised Code, is confidential, and is not subject to discovery in any civil action, during the course of the investigation and any adjudication proceedings that result from the investigation. Upon completion of the investigation and any resulting adjudication proceedings, the information is a matter of public record for purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

(C) The board may release information otherwise made confidential by division (B) of this section to law enforcement officers or licensing agencies of this or another state that are prosecuting, adjudicating, or investigating the holder of a certificate issued under this chapter or a person who allegedly engaged in the unauthorized provision of emergency medical services.

A law enforcement officer or licensing agency with information disclosed by the board under this division shall not divulge the information other than for the purpose of an adjudication by a court or licensing agency to which the subject of the adjudication is a party.

(D) If an investigation conducted under section 4765.101 of the Revised Code requires a review of patient records, the investigation and proceedings related to it shall be conducted in such a manner as to protect patient confidentiality. The board shall not make public the name or any other identifying information about a patient unless proper consent is given in accordance with rules adopted by the board. If the patient is less than eighteen years of age, the board shall obtain consent from the patient's parent, guardian, or custodian.

Section 4765.11 | Administrative rules.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall adopt, and may amend and rescind, rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code and divisions (C) and (D) of this section that establish all of the following:

(1) Procedures for its governance and the control of its actions and business affairs;

(2) Standards for the performance of emergency medical services by first responders, emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, and emergency medical technicians-paramedic;

(3) Application fees for certificates of accreditation, certificates of approval, certificates to teach, and certificates to practice, which shall be deposited into the trauma and emergency medical services fund created in section 4513.263 of the Revised Code;

(4) Criteria for determining when the application or renewal fee for a certificate to practice may be waived because an applicant cannot afford to pay the fee;

(5) Procedures for issuance and renewal of certificates of accreditation, certificates of approval, certificates to teach, and certificates to practice, including any measures necessary to implement section 9.79 of the Revised Code and any procedures necessary to ensure that adequate notice of renewal is provided in accordance with division (E) of section 4765.30 of the Revised Code;

(6) Procedures for suspending or revoking certificates of accreditation, certificates of approval, certificates to teach, and certificates to practice;

(7) Grounds for suspension or revocation of a certificate to practice issued under section 4765.30 of the Revised Code and for taking any other disciplinary action against a first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-I, or paramedic;

(8) Procedures for taking disciplinary action against a first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-I, or paramedic;

(9) Standards for certificates of accreditation and certificates of approval;

(10) Qualifications for certificates to teach;

(11) Requirements for a certificate to practice;

(12) The curricula, number of hours of instruction and training, and instructional materials to be used in adult and pediatric emergency medical services training programs and adult and pediatric emergency medical services continuing education programs;

(13) Procedures for conducting courses in recognizing symptoms of life-threatening allergic reactions and in calculating proper dosage levels and administering injections of epinephrine to adult and pediatric patients who suffer life-threatening allergic reactions;

(14) Examinations for certificates to practice;

(15) Procedures for administering examinations for certificates to practice;

(16) Procedures for approving examinations that demonstrate competence to have a certificate to practice renewed without completing an emergency medical services continuing education program;

(17) Procedures for granting extensions and exemptions of emergency medical services continuing education requirements;

(18) Specifications of the emergency medical services that first responders are authorized to perform under section 4765.35 of the Revised Code, that EMTs-basic are authorized to perform under section 4765.37 of the Revised Code, that EMTs-I are authorized to perform under section 4765.38 of the Revised Code, and that paramedics are authorized to perform under section 4765.39 of the Revised Code;

(19) Standards and procedures for implementing the requirements of section 4765.06 of the Revised Code, including designations of the persons who are required to report information to the board and the types of information to be reported;

(20) Procedures for administering the emergency medical services grant program established under section 4765.07 of the Revised Code;

(21) Procedures consistent with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code for appealing decisions of the board;

(22) Minimum qualifications and peer review and quality improvement requirements for persons who provide medical direction to emergency medical service personnel, including, subject to division (B) of section 4765.42 of the Revised Code, qualifications for a physician to be eligible to serve as the medical director of an emergency medical service organization or a member of its cooperating physician advisory board;

(23) The manner in which a patient, or a patient's parent, guardian, or custodian, may consent to the board releasing identifying information about the patient under division (D) of section 4765.102 of the Revised Code;

(24) Circumstances under which a training program or continuing education program, or portion of either type of program, may be taught by a person who does not hold a certificate to teach issued under section 4765.23 of the Revised Code;

(25) Certification cycles for certificates issued under sections 4765.23 and 4765.30 of the Revised Code and certificates issued by the executive director of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services under section 4765.55 of the Revised Code that establish a common expiration date for all certificates.

(B) The board may adopt, and may amend and rescind, rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code and divisions (C) and (D) of this section that establish any of the following:

(1) Specifications of information that may be collected under the trauma system registry and incidence reporting system created under section 4765.06 of the Revised Code;

(2) Standards and procedures for implementing any of the recommendations made by any committees of the board or under section 4765.04 of the Revised Code;

(3) Procedures and requirements for conducting background checks on applicants for the issuance and renewal of certificates of accreditation, certificates of approval, certificates to teach, and certificates to practice in accordance with section 109.578 of the Revised Code;

(4) Any other rules necessary to implement this chapter.

(C) In developing and administering rules adopted under this chapter, the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall consult with regional directors and regional advisory boards appointed under section 4765.05 of the Revised Code and emphasize the special needs of pediatric and geriatric patients.

(D) On and after April 6, 2023, the executive director shall not issue to any new applicant a certificate to practice as an emergency medical services assistant instructor. Any emergency medical services assistant instructor certificate that was issued in accordance with rules adopted under division (A) of this section prior to April 6, 2023, remains valid, subject to any conditions or responsibilities of retaining the validity of that certificate, until the holder of the certificate allows it to expire or lapse. The certificate may be renewed by the holder of that certificate. The board shall adopt, amend, or rescind rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code in order to effectuate this division.

(E) Except as otherwise provided in this division, before adopting, amending, or rescinding any rule under this chapter, the board shall submit the proposed rule to the director of public safety for review. The director may review the proposed rule for not more than sixty days after the date it is submitted. If, within this sixty-day period, the director approves the proposed rule or does not notify the board that the rule is disapproved, the board may adopt, amend, or rescind the rule as proposed. If, within this sixty-day period, the director notifies the board that the proposed rule is disapproved, the board shall not adopt, amend, or rescind the rule as proposed unless at least twelve members of the board vote to adopt, amend, or rescind it.

This division does not apply to an emergency rule adopted in accordance with section 119.03 of the Revised Code.

(F) Notwithstanding any requirement for a certificate issued in accordance with rules adopted by the board under this section, the board, in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code, shall issue a certificate that is a license as defined in section 4796.01 of the Revised Code to an individual if either of the following applies:

(1) The individual holds a license or certificate in another state.

(2) The individual has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as a first responder, emergency medical technician-basic, emergency medical technician-intermediate, or emergency medical technician-paramedic in a state that does not issue that license or certificate.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 4:57 AM

Section 4765.111 | Disciplinary proceedings.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

Except as provided in this section or sections 4765.112 to 4765.116 of the Revised Code, the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall conduct disciplinary proceedings regarding the holder of a certificate issued under this chapter in accordance with rules adopted by the board under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

The board and a holder of a certificate are the parties to a hearing conducted under this chapter. Either party may submit a written request to the other party for a list of witnesses and copies of documents intended to be introduced at the hearing. The request shall be in writing and shall be served not less than thirty-seven days prior to the commencement of the hearing, unless the hearing officer or presiding board member grants an extension of time to make the request. Not later than thirty days before the hearing, the responding party shall provide the requested list of witnesses and copies of documents to the requesting party, unless the hearing officer or presiding board member grants an extension of time to provide the list and copies.

Failure to timely provide a list or copies requested in accordance with this section shall result in exclusion from the hearing of the witnesses, testimony, or documents.

Section 4765.112 | Suspension of certificate without hearing.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, by an affirmative vote of the majority of its members, may suspend without a prior hearing a certificate to practice issued under this chapter if the board determines that there is clear and convincing evidence that continued practice by the certificate holder presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public and that the certificate holder has done any of the following:

(1) Furnished false, fraudulent, or misleading information to the board;

(2) Engaged in activities that exceed those permitted by the individual's certificate;

(3) In a court of this or any other state or federal court been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or been the subject of a judicial finding of guilt of, a judicial finding of guilt resulting from a plea of no contest to, or a judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in lieu of conviction for, a felony or for a misdemeanor committed in the course of practice or involving gross immorality or moral turpitude.

(B) Immediately following the decision to impose a summary suspension, the board, in accordance with sections 119.05 and 119.07 of the Revised Code, shall serve a written order of suspension on the certificate holder and notify the certificate holder of the opportunity for a hearing. If timely requested by the certificate holder, a hearing shall be conducted in accordance with section 4765.115 of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 4, 2023 at 3:37 PM

Section 4765.113 | Reconsideration of suspension based on conviction.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

If the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services imposes a suspension on the basis of a conviction, judicial finding, or plea as described in division (A)(3) of section 4765.112 of the Revised Code that is overturned on appeal, the certificate holder, on exhaustion of the criminal appeal process, may file with the board a petition for reconsideration of the suspension along with appropriate court documents. On receipt of the petition and documents, the board shall reinstate the certificate holder's certificate to practice.

Section 4765.114 | Certificate automatically suspended for certain offenses.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) A certificate to practice emergency medical services issued under this chapter is automatically suspended on the certificate holder's conviction of, plea of guilty to, or judicial finding of guilt of any of the following: aggravated murder, murder, voluntary manslaughter, felonious assault, kidnapping, rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, aggravated arson, aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, or a substantially equivalent offense committed in this or another jurisdiction. Continued practice after the suspension is practicing without a certificate.

(B) If the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services has knowledge that an automatic suspension has occurred, it shall serve, in accordance with sections 119.05 and 119.07 of the Revised Code, the certificate holder of the suspension and of the opportunity for a hearing. If timely requested by the certificate holder, a hearing shall be conducted in accordance with section 4765.115 of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 4, 2023 at 3:37 PM

Section 4765.115 | Suspension orders - administrative hearing - disposition.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

(A) A suspension order issued under section 4765.112 or automatic suspension under section 4765.114 of the Revised Code is not subject to suspension by a court prior to a hearing under this section or during the pendency of any appeal filed under section 119.12 of the Revised Code.

(B) A suspension order issued under section 4765.112 or automatic suspension under section 4765.114 of the Revised Code remains in effect, unless reversed by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, until a final adjudication order issued by the board pursuant to this section becomes effective.

(C) Hearings requested pursuant to section 4765.112 or 4765.114 of the Revised Code shall be conducted under this section in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(D) A hearing under this section shall be held not later than forty-five days but not earlier than forty days after the certificate holder requests it, unless another date is agreed to by the certificate holder and the board.

(E) After completion of an adjudication hearing, the board may adopt, by an affirmative vote of the majority of its members, a final adjudication order that imposes any of the following sanctions:

(1) Suspension of the holder's certificate to practice;

(2) Revocation of the holder's certificate to practice;

(3) Issuance of a written reprimand;

(4) A refusal to renew or a limitation on the holder's certificate to practice.

The board shall issue its final adjudication order not later than forty-five days after completion of an adjudication hearing. If the board does not issue a final order within that time period, the suspension order is void, but any final adjudication order subsequently issued is not affected.

(F) Any action taken by the board under this section resulting in a suspension from practice shall be accompanied by a written statement of the conditions under which the certificate to practice may be reinstated. Reinstatement of a certificate suspended under this section requires an affirmative vote by the majority of the members of the board.

(G) When the board revokes or refuses to reinstate a certificate to practice, the board may specify that its action is permanent. An individual subject to permanent action taken by the board is forever ineligible to hold a certificate of the type revoked or refused, and the board shall not accept from the individual an application for reinstatement of the certificate or for a new certificate.

Section 4765.116 | Procedure where hearing not timely requested.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

If a certificate holder subject to a suspension order issued by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services under section 4765.112 or an automatic suspension order under section 4765.114 of the Revised Code fails to make a timely request for a hearing, the following apply:

(A) In the case of a certificate holder subject to a summary suspension order, the board is not required to hold a hearing, but may adopt, by an affirmative vote of a majority of its members, a final order that contains the board's findings. In the final order, the board may order any of the sanctions listed in division (E) of section 4765.115 of the Revised Code.

(B) In the case of a certificate holder subject to an automatic suspension order, the board may adopt, by an affirmative vote of a majority of its members, a final order that permanently revokes the holder's certificate to practice.

Section 4765.12 | Guidelines for care of trauma victims by emergency medical service personnel - conduct of peer review and quality assurance programs by emergency medical service organizations.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

(A) Not later than two years after November 3, 2000, the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall develop and distribute guidelines for the care of trauma victims by emergency medical service personnel and for the conduct of peer review and quality assurance programs by emergency medical service organizations. The guidelines shall be consistent with the state trauma triage protocols adopted in rules under sections 4765.11 and 4765.40 of the Revised Code and shall place emphasis on the special needs of pediatric and geriatric trauma victims. In developing the guidelines, the board shall consult with entities with interests in trauma and emergency medical services and shall consider any relevant guidelines adopted by national organizations, including the American college of surgeons, American college of emergency physicians, and American academy of pediatrics. The board shall distribute the guidelines, and amendments to the guidelines, to each emergency medical service organization, regional director, regional physician advisory board, certified emergency medical service instructor, and person who regularly provides medical direction to emergency medical service personnel in this state.

(B) Not later than three years after November 3, 2000, each emergency medical service organization in this state shall implement ongoing peer review and quality assurance programs designed to improve the availability and quality of the emergency medical services it provides. The form and content of the programs shall be determined by each emergency medical service organization. In implementing the programs, each emergency medical service organization shall consider how to improve its ability to provide effective trauma care, particularly for pediatric and geriatric trauma victims, and shall take into account the trauma care guidelines developed by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services under this section.

Information generated solely for use in a peer review or quality assurance program conducted on behalf of an emergency medical service organization is not a public record under section 149.43 of the Revised Code. Such information, and any discussion conducted in the course of a peer review or quality assurance program conducted on behalf of an emergency medical service organization, is not subject to discovery in a civil action and shall not be introduced into evidence in a civil action against the emergency medical service organization on whose behalf the information was generated or the discussion occurred.

No emergency medical service organization on whose behalf a peer review or quality assurance program is conducted, and no person who conducts such a program, because of performing such functions, shall be liable in a civil action for betrayal of professional confidence or otherwise in the absence of willful or wanton misconduct.

Section 4765.15 | Continuing education - approval and accreditation.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 52 - 135th General Assembly

A person seeking to operate an emergency medical services training program shall submit a completed application for accreditation to the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services on a form the board shall prescribe and furnish. The application shall be accompanied by the appropriate application fee established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

A person seeking to operate an emergency medical services continuing education program shall submit a completed application for approval to the board on a form the board shall prescribe and furnish. The application shall be accompanied by the appropriate application fee established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

The board shall administer the accreditation and approval processes pursuant to rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. In administering these processes, the board may authorize other persons to evaluate applications for accreditation or approval and may accept the recommendations made by those persons.

The board may cause an investigation to be made into the accuracy of the information submitted in any application for accreditation or approval. If an investigation indicates that false, misleading, or incomplete information has been submitted to the board in connection with any application for accreditation or approval, the board shall conduct a hearing on the matter in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Last updated April 27, 2023 at 1:57 PM

Section 4765.16 | Continuing education - development.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 52 - 135th General Assembly

(A) All courses offered through an emergency medical services training program or an emergency medical services continuing education program, other than an ambulance driving course and the dementia-related training course developed under section 4765.162 of the Revised Code, shall be developed under the direction of a physician who specializes in emergency medicine. Each course that deals with trauma care shall be developed in consultation with a physician who specializes in trauma surgery.

Except as specified by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services pursuant to rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code, each course offered through a training program or continuing education program shall be taught by a person who holds the appropriate certificate to teach issued under section 4765.23 of the Revised Code.

(B) A training program for first responders shall meet the standards established in rules adopted by the board under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. The program shall include courses in each of the following areas for at least the number of hours established by the board's rules:

(1) Emergency victim care;

(2) Reading and interpreting a trauma victim's vital signs;

(3) Identifying and interacting with individuals with dementia, as provided in the dementia-related training course developed under section 4765.162 of the Revised Code.

(C) A training program for emergency medical technicians-basic shall meet the standards established in rules adopted by the board under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. The program shall include courses in each of the following areas for at least the number of hours established by the board's rules:

(1) Emergency victim care;

(2) Reading and interpreting a trauma victim's vital signs;

(3) Triage protocols for adult and pediatric trauma victims;

(4) In-hospital training;

(5) Clinical training;

(6) Training as an ambulance driver;

(7) Identifying and interacting with individuals with dementia, as provided in the dementia-related training course developed under section 4765.162 of the Revised Code.

Each operator of a training program for emergency medical technicians-basic shall allow any pupil in the twelfth grade in a secondary school who is at least seventeen years old and who otherwise meets the requirements for admission into such a training program to be admitted to and complete the program and, as part of the training, to ride in an ambulance with emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, and emergency medical technicians-paramedic. Each emergency medical service organization shall allow pupils participating in training programs to ride in an ambulance with emergency medical technicians-basic, advanced emergency medical technicians-intermediate, and emergency medical technicians-paramedic.

(D) A training program for emergency medical technicians-intermediate shall meet the standards established in rules adopted by the board under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. The program shall include, or require as a prerequisite, the training specified in division (C) of this section and courses in each of the following areas for at least the number of hours established by the board's rules:

(1) Recognizing symptoms of life-threatening allergic reactions and in calculating proper dosage levels and administering injections of epinephrine to persons who suffer life-threatening allergic reactions, conducted in accordance with rules adopted by the board under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code;

(2) Venous access procedures;

(3) Cardiac monitoring and electrical interventions to support or correct the cardiac function.

(E) A training program for emergency medical technicians-paramedic shall meet the standards established in rules adopted by the board under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. The program shall include, or require as a prerequisite, the training specified in divisions (C) and (D) of this section and courses in each of the following areas for at least the number of hours established by the board's rules:

(1) Medical terminology;

(2) Venous access procedures;

(3) Airway procedures;

(4) Patient assessment and triage;

(5) Acute cardiac care, including administration of parenteral injections, electrical interventions, and other emergency medical services;

(6) Emergency and trauma victim care beyond that required under division (C) of this section;

(7) Clinical training beyond that required under division (C) of this section.

(F) A continuing education program for first responders, EMTs-basic, EMTs-I, or paramedics shall meet the standards established in rules adopted by the board under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. A continuing education program shall include instruction and training in subjects established by the board's rules for at least the number of hours established by the board's rules. A continuing education program also shall include instruction in identifying and interacting with individuals with dementia, as provided in the dementia-related training course developed under section 4765.162 of the Revised Code. The continuing education requirements for paramedics shall not require more than seventy-five hours of continuing education for every three-year certification cycle.

Last updated April 27, 2023 at 1:58 PM

Section 4765.161 | Expedited paramedic certification for veterans.

• Effective: September 29, 2015
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly

The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall adopt rules under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code to establish an expedited veterans paramedic certification program for any person who is a veteran of the armed forces of the United States and who, while serving in the armed forces of the United States, received training as what this state categorizes as a paramedic. The program shall provide for a method or procedure whereby, upon application by such a veteran, the veteran is evaluated to determine the extent of the training the veteran received while serving in the armed forces of the United States. If the evaluation indicates that the training the veteran received while serving in the armed forces of the United States was such that the veteran is eligible to be issued a certificate to practice as a paramedic, the board shall issue the veteran a certificate to practice as a paramedic as provided in section 4765.30 of the Revised Code upon payment of the appropriate fee.

If the evaluation indicates that the training the veteran received while serving in the armed forces of the United States was such that the veteran is not eligible to be issued a certificate to practice as a paramedic, the veteran shall receive credit for the training the veteran received while serving in the armed forces of the United States and shall be required to successfully complete only the necessary additional training or instruction in order to be issued a certificate to practice as a paramedic.

Last updated May 6, 2021 at 4:06 PM

Section 4765.162 | Dementia-related training.

• Effective: April 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 23 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "dementia" includes Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder.

(B) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, in consultation with the departments of aging and job and family services, shall develop a dementia-related training course to be included in all emergency medical services training programs accredited under section 4765.15 of the Revised Code and all emergency medical services continuing education programs approved under that section.

(C) The board shall adopt rules under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code governing the dementia-related training course developed under this section. The rules shall specify both of the following:

(1) The amount of training, which shall be at least two hours of instruction, that is necessary for satisfactory completion of the dementia-related training course included in an emergency medical services training program;

(2) The amount of training, which shall be at least one hour of instruction, that is necessary for satisfactory completion of the dementia-related training course included in an emergency medical services continuing education program.

(D) The dementia-related training course developed under this section shall include instruction in all of the following:

(1) Identifying individuals with dementia, including psychiatric and behavioral symptoms of dementia and common medical emergencies experienced by individuals with dementia;

(2) Respectful and effective communication techniques for communicating with individuals with dementia and their caregivers;

(3) Techniques for addressing the behavioral symptoms of dementia during the administration of emergency medical treatment;

(4) Identifying and reporting incidents of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of individuals with dementia to the appropriate county department of job and family services in accordance with section 5101.63 of the Revised Code;

(5) Protocols for contacting caregivers when an individual with dementia is found wandering or during an emergency or crisis situation;

(6) Local resources available for individuals with dementia;

(7) Local and national organizations that assist emergency medical service personnel with locating missing and wandering individuals with dementia and returning them to their caregivers.

Last updated January 31, 2023 at 12:52 PM

Section 4765.17 | Issuing certificate of accreditation or certificate of approval.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 52 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall issue the appropriate certificate of accreditation or certificate of approval to an applicant who meets the requirements of section 4765.16 of the Revised Code. The board shall grant or deny a certificate of accreditation or certificate of approval within one hundred twenty days of receipt of the application. The board may issue a certificate of accreditation or certificate of approval on a provisional basis to an applicant who is in substantial compliance with the requirements of section 4765.16 of the Revised Code or renew a certificate of accreditation or certificate of approval on a provisional basis to an applicant who is of good reputation and is in substantial compliance with the requirements of section 4765.16 of the Revised Code. The board shall inform an applicant receiving such a certificate of the conditions that must be met to complete compliance with section 4765.16 of the Revised Code.

(B) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, a certificate of accreditation or certificate of approval is valid for up to five years and may be renewed by the board pursuant to procedures and standards established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. An application for renewal shall be accompanied by the appropriate renewal fee established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

(C) A certificate of accreditation or certificate of approval issued on a provisional basis is valid for the length of time established by the board. If the board finds that the holder of such a certificate has met the conditions it specifies under division (A) of this section, the board shall issue the appropriate certificate of accreditation or certificate of approval.

(D) A certificate of accreditation is valid only for the emergency medical services training program or programs for which it is issued. The holder of a certificate of accreditation may apply to operate additional training programs in accordance with rules adopted by the board under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. Any additional training programs shall expire on the expiration date of the applicant's current certificate. A certificate of approval is valid only for the emergency medical services continuing education program for which it is issued. Neither is transferable.

(E) The holder of a certificate of accreditation or certificate of approval may offer courses at more than one location in accordance with rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

Last updated April 27, 2023 at 2:20 PM

Section 4765.18 | Grounds for suspension or revocation of certificate.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 52 - 135th General Assembly

The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services may suspend or revoke a certificate of accreditation or a certificate of approval issued under section 4765.17 of the Revised Code for any of the following reasons:

(A) Violation of this chapter or any rule adopted under it;

(B) Furnishing of false, misleading, or incomplete information to the board;

(C) The signing of an application or the holding of a certificate of accreditation by a person who has pleaded guilty to or has been convicted of a felony, or has pleaded guilty to or been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude;

(D) The signing of an application or the holding of a certificate of accreditation by a person who is addicted to the use of any controlled substance or has been adjudicated incompetent for that purpose by a court, as provided in section 5122.301 of the Revised Code;

(E) Violation of any commitment made in an application for a certificate of accreditation or certificate of approval;

(F) Presentation to prospective students of misleading, false, or fraudulent information relating to the emergency medical services training program or emergency medical services continuing education program, employment opportunities, or opportunities for enrollment in accredited institutions of higher education after entering or completing courses offered by the operator of a program;

(G) Failure to maintain in a safe and sanitary condition premises and equipment used in conducting courses of study;

(H) Failure to maintain financial resources adequate for the satisfactory conduct of courses of study or to retain a sufficient number of certified instructors;

(I) Discrimination in the acceptance of students upon the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Last updated April 27, 2023 at 1:59 PM

Section 4765.22 | Applying to teach in emergency medical services training or continuing education program.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 52 - 135th General Assembly

A person seeking a certificate to teach in an emergency medical services training program or an emergency medical services continuing education program shall submit a completed application for certification to the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services on a form the board shall prescribe and furnish. The application shall be accompanied by the appropriate application fee established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

Last updated April 27, 2023 at 1:59 PM

Section 4765.23 | Teaching certificate - issuance - renewal - suspension or revocation.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 52 - 135th General Assembly

The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall issue a certificate to teach in an emergency medical services training program or an emergency medical services continuing education program to any applicant who it determines meets the qualifications established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. The certificate shall indicate each type of instruction and training the certificate holder may teach under the certificate.

A certificate to teach shall have a certification cycle established by the board and may be renewed by the board pursuant to rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. An application for renewal shall be accompanied by the appropriate renewal fee established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

The board may suspend or revoke a certificate to teach pursuant to rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

Last updated April 27, 2023 at 2:00 PM

Section 4765.24 | Continuing education - certificate of completion.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 52 - 135th General Assembly

The operator of an accredited training program for first responders shall issue a certificate of completion in first responder training to each student who successfully completes the training program described in division (B) of section 4765.16 of the Revised Code.

The operator of an accredited training program for emergency medical technicians-basic shall issue a certificate of completion in emergency medical services training-basic to each student who successfully completes the EMT-basic program described in division (C) of section 4765.16 of the Revised Code.

The operator of an accredited training program for emergency medical technicians-intermediate shall issue a certificate of completion in emergency medical services training-intermediate to each student who successfully completes the EMT-I program described in division (D) of section 4765.16 of the Revised Code.

The operator of an accredited training program for emergency medical technicians-paramedic shall issue a certificate of completion in emergency medical services training-paramedic to each student who successfully completes the training program described in division (E) of section 4765.16 of the Revised Code.

The operator of an approved emergency medical services continuing education program shall issue the appropriate certificate of completion in emergency medical services continuing education to each student who successfully completes a continuing education program described in division (F) of section 4765.16 of the Revised Code.

Last updated April 27, 2023 at 2:01 PM

Section 4765.28 | Applying for certificate to practice.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

A person seeking a certificate to practice as a first responder, emergency medical technician-basic, emergency medical technician-intermediate, or emergency medical technician-paramedic shall submit a completed application for certification to the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services on a form the board shall prescribe and furnish. Except as provided in division (B) of section 4765.29 of the Revised Code, the application shall include evidence that the applicant received the appropriate certificate of completion pursuant to section 4765.24 of the Revised Code. The application shall be accompanied by the appropriate application fee established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code, unless the board waives the fee on determining pursuant to those rules that the applicant cannot afford to pay the fee.

Section 4765.29 | Examination.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 52 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall provide for the examination of applicants for certification to practice as first responders, emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, and emergency medical technicians-paramedic. The examinations shall be established by the board in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. The board may administer the examinations or contract with other persons to administer the examinations. In either case, the examinations shall be administered pursuant to procedures established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code and shall be offered at various locations in the state selected by the board.

Except as provided in division (B) of this section, an applicant shall not be permitted to take an examination for the same certificate to practice more than three times since last receiving the certificate of completion pursuant to section 4765.24 of the Revised Code that qualifies the applicant to take the examination unless the applicant receives another certificate of completion that qualifies the applicant to take the examination.

(B) On request of an applicant who fails three examinations for the same certificate to practice, the board may direct the applicant to complete a specific portion of an accredited emergency medical services training program. If the applicant provides satisfactory proof to the board that the applicant has successfully completed that portion of the program, the applicant shall be permitted to take the examination.

Last updated April 27, 2023 at 2:01 PM

Section 4765.30 | Qualifications for certificate to practice.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 52 - 135th General Assembly

All of the following apply to the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services with respect to issuing and renewing certificates to practice:

(A) The board shall issue a certificate to practice as a first responder to an applicant who meets all of the following conditions:

(1) Holds the appropriate certificate of completion issued in accordance with section 4765.24 of the Revised Code;

(2) Passes the appropriate examination conducted under section 4765.29 of the Revised Code;

(3) Is not in violation of any provision of this chapter or the rules adopted under it;

(4) Meets any other certification requirements established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

(B) The board shall issue a certificate to practice as an emergency medical technician-basic to an applicant who meets all of the following conditions:

(1) Holds the appropriate certificate of completion issued in accordance with section 4765.24 of the Revised Code;

(2) Passes the appropriate examination conducted under section 4765.29 of the Revised Code;

(3) Is not in violation of any provision of this chapter or the rules adopted under it;

(4) Meets any other certification requirements established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

(C) The board shall issue a certificate to practice as an emergency medical technician-intermediate or emergency medical technician-paramedic to an applicant who meets all of the following conditions:

(1) Holds a certificate to practice as an emergency medical technician-basic;

(2) Holds the appropriate certificate of completion issued in accordance with section 4765.24 of the Revised Code;

(3) Passes the appropriate examination conducted under section 4765.29 of the Revised Code;

(4) Is not in violation of any provision of this chapter or the rules adopted under it;

(5) Meets any other certification requirements established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

(D) Notwithstanding any requirement for a certificate to practice issued under this section, the board shall issue a certificate in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to an individual if either of the following applies:

(1) The individual holds a license or certificate in another state.

(2) The individual has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as a first responder in a state that does not issue that license or certificate.

(E) A certificate to practice shall have a certification cycle established by the board and may be renewed by the board pursuant to rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. Not later than sixty days prior to the expiration date of an individual's certificate to practice, the board shall notify the individual of the scheduled expiration.

An application for renewal shall be accompanied by the appropriate renewal fee established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code, unless the board waives the fee on determining pursuant to those rules that the applicant cannot afford to pay the fee. Except as provided in division (B) of section 4765.31 of the Revised Code, the application shall include evidence of either of the following:

(1) That the applicant received a certificate of completion from the appropriate emergency medical services continuing education program pursuant to section 4765.24 of the Revised Code;

(2) That the applicant has successfully passed an examination that demonstrates the competence to have a certificate renewed without completing an emergency medical services continuing education program. The board shall approve such examinations in accordance with rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

(F) The board shall not require an applicant for renewal of a certificate to practice to take an examination as a condition of renewing the certificate. This division does not preclude the use of examinations by operators of approved emergency medical services continuing education programs as a condition for issuance of a certificate of completion in emergency medical services continuing education.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 5:20 AM

Section 4765.301 | Criminal records check.

• Effective: October 9, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 263 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) An appointing authority may request the superintendent of BCII to conduct a criminal records check with respect to any person who is under consideration for appointment or employment as an emergency medical technician-basic, an emergency medical technician-intermediate, or an emergency medical technician-paramedic. An appointing authority may refuse to appoint a person based on the results of that criminal records check if the individual is convicted of or pleads guilty to an offense included on the list developed by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services under section 9.79 of the Revised Code and performs the evaluation described in division (D) of that section.

(B)(1) The appointing authority may request that the superintendent of BCII obtain information from the federal bureau of investigation as a part of the criminal records check requested pursuant to division (A) of this section.

(2) An appointing authority authorized by division (A) of this section to request a criminal records check shall provide to each person for whom the appointing authority intends to request a criminal records check a copy of the form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of section 109.578 of the Revised Code and a standard impression sheet to obtain fingerprint impressions prescribed pursuant to division (C)(2) of section 109.578 of the Revised Code, obtain the completed form and impression sheet from the person, and forward the completed form and impression sheet to the superintendent of BCII at the time the criminal records check is requested.

(3) Any person subject to a criminal records check who receives a copy of the form and a copy of the impression sheet pursuant to division (B)(2) of this section and who is requested to complete the form and provide a set of fingerprint impressions shall complete the form or provide all the information necessary to complete the form and shall provide the impression sheet with the impressions of the person's fingerprints. If a person fails to provide the information necessary to complete the form or fails to provide impressions of the person's fingerprints, the appointing authority shall not appoint or employ the person as an emergency medical technician-basic, an emergency medical technician-intermediate, or an emergency medical technician-paramedic.

(C) If an appointing authority requests a criminal records check pursuant to division (A) of this section, the appointing authority may appoint or employ a person as an emergency medical technician-basic, an emergency medical technician-intermediate, or an emergency medical technician-paramedic conditionally until the criminal records check is completed and the appointing authority receives the results.

(D) The appointing authority shall pay to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation the fee prescribed pursuant to division (C)(3) of section 109.578 of the Revised Code for each criminal records check conducted in accordance with that section. The appointing authority may charge the applicant who is subject to the criminal records check a fee for the costs the appointing authority incurs in obtaining the criminal records check. A fee charged under this division shall not exceed the amount of fees the appointing authority pays for the criminal records check. If a fee is charged under this division, the appointing authority shall notify the applicant at the time of the applicant's initial application for appointment or employment of the amount of the fee and that, unless the fee is paid, the applicant will not be considered for appointment or employment.

(E) The appointing authority shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement this section.

(F) An appointing authority that intends to request a criminal records check for an applicant shall inform each applicant, at the time of the person's initial application for appointment or employment, that the applicant is required to provide a set of impressions of the person's fingerprints and that the appointing authority requires a criminal records check to be conducted and satisfactorily completed in accordance with section 109.578 of the Revised Code.

(G) As used in this section:

(1) "Appointing authority" means any person or body that has the authority to hire, appoint, or employ emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, or emergency medical technicians-paramedic.

(2) "Criminal records check" has the same meaning as in section 109.578 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Superintendent of BCII" has the same meaning as in section 2151.86 of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 9, 2021 at 5:12 AM

Section 4765.31 | Continuing education - extension or exemption.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 52 - 135th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, a first responder, emergency medical technician-basic, emergency medical technician-intermediate, and emergency medical technician-paramedic shall complete an emergency medical services continuing education program or pass an examination approved by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services under division (A) of section 4765.10 of the Revised Code prior to the expiration of the individual's certificate to practice. Completion of the continuing education requirements for EMTs-I or paramedics satisfies the continuing education requirements for renewing the certificate to practice as an EMT-basic held by an EMT-I or paramedic.

(B)(1) An applicant for renewal of a certificate to practice may apply to the board, in writing, for an extension to complete the continuing education requirements established under division (A) of this section. The board may grant such an extension and determine the length of the extension. The board may authorize the applicant to continue to practice during the extension as if the certificate to practice had not expired.

(2) An applicant for renewal of a certificate to practice may apply to the board, in writing, for an exemption from the continuing education requirements established under division (A) of this section. The board may exempt an individual or a group of individuals from all or any part of the continuing education requirements due to active military service, unusual circumstance, emergency, special hardship, or any other cause considered reasonable by the board.

(C) Decisions of whether to grant an extension or exemption under division (B) of this section shall be made by the board pursuant to procedures established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

Last updated April 27, 2023 at 2:04 PM

Section 4765.32 | Certificates issued under prior law.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

A current, valid certificate of accreditation issued under the provisions of former section 3303.11 or 3303.23 of the Revised Code shall remain valid until one year after the expiration date of the certificate as determined by the provisions of those sections and shall confer the same privileges and impose the same responsibilities and requirements as a certificate of accreditation issued by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services under section 4765.17 of the Revised Code.

A certificate to practice as an emergency medical technician-ambulance that is valid on November 24, 1995, shall be considered a certificate to practice as an emergency medical technician-basic. A certificate to practice as an advanced emergency medical technician-ambulance that is valid on November 24, 1995, shall be considered a certificate to practice as an emergency medical technician-intermediate.

Section 4765.33 | Disciplinary actions.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services may suspend or revoke certificates to practice issued under section 4765.30 of the Revised Code, and may take other disciplinary action against first responders, emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, and emergency medical technicians-paramedic pursuant to rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

Section 4765.35 | Authorized services by first responders.

• Effective: July 6, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 138 - 134th General Assembly

(A) A first responder may perform any of the emergency medical services specified for first responders in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services. A first responder shall perform the emergency medical services in accordance with this chapter and any rules adopted under it by the board.

(B)(1) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section, the emergency medical services provided by a first responder shall be performed only pursuant to one of the following:

(a) The written or verbal authorization of a physician or of the cooperating physician advisory board;

(b) An authorization transmitted through a direct communication device by a physician, physician assistant designated by a physician, or registered nurse designated by a physician;

(c) Any applicable protocols adopted by the emergency medical service organization with which the first responder is affiliated.

(2) Division (B)(1) of this section does not prohibit a first responder from complying with a do-not-resuscitate order issued by a physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse pursuant to section 2133.211 of the Revised Code.

Last updated April 13, 2022 at 1:38 PM

Section 4765.36 | Authorized services in hospital.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 284 - 129th General Assembly

In a hospital, an emergency medical technician-basic, emergency medical technician-intermediate, or emergency medical technician-paramedic may perform emergency medical services if the services are performed in accordance with both of the following conditions:

(A) Only in the hospital's emergency department or while moving a patient between the emergency department and another part of the hospital;

(B) Only under the direction and supervision of one of the following:

(1) A physician;

(2) A physician assistant designated by a physician;

(3) A registered nurse designated by a physician.

Section 4765.361 | Performance of services in nonemergency situations.

• Effective: September 29, 2015
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly

An emergency medical technician-basic, emergency medical technician-intermediate, or emergency medical technician-paramedic may perform medical services that the technician is authorized by law to perform in nonemergency situations if the services are performed under the direction of the technician's medical director or cooperating physician advisory board. In nonemergency situations, no medical director or cooperating physician advisory board shall delegate, instruct, or otherwise authorize a technician to perform any medical service that the technician is not authorized by law to perform.

Section 4765.37 | Authorized services by EMT-basic.

• Effective: July 6, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 138 - 134th General Assembly

(A) An emergency medical technician-basic may perform any of the emergency medical services specified for EMTs-basic in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services. An EMT-basic shall perform the emergency medical services in accordance with this chapter and any rules adopted under it by the board.

(B)(1) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section, the emergency medical services provided by an EMT-basic shall be performed only pursuant to one of the following:

(a) The written or verbal authorization of a physician or of the cooperating physician advisory board;

(b) An authorization transmitted through a direct communication device by a physician, physician assistant designated by a physician, or registered nurse designated by a physician;

(c) Any applicable protocols adopted by the emergency medical service organization with which the EMT-basic is affiliated.

(2) Division (B)(1) of this section does not prohibit an EMT-basic from complying with a do-not-resuscitate order issued by a physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse pursuant to section 2133.211 of the Revised Code.

Last updated April 13, 2022 at 1:38 PM

Section 4765.38 | Authorized services by EMT-intermediate.

• Effective: July 6, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 138 - 134th General Assembly

(A) An emergency medical technician-intermediate may perform any of the emergency medical services specified for EMTs-I in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services. An EMT-I shall perform emergency medical services in accordance with this chapter and any rules adopted under it by the board.

(B)(1) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section, the emergency medical services provided by an EMT-I shall be performed only pursuant to one of the following:

(a) The written or verbal authorization of a physician or of the cooperating physician advisory board;

(b) An authorization transmitted through a direct communication device by a physician, physician assistant designated by a physician, or registered nurse designated by a physician;

(c) Any applicable protocols adopted by the emergency medical service organization with which the EMT-I is affiliated.

(2) Division (B)(1) of this section does not prohibit an EMT-I from complying with a do-not-resuscitate order issued by a physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse pursuant to section 2133.211 of the Revised Code.

(C) In addition to, and in the course of, providing emergency medical treatment, an EMT-I may withdraw blood as provided under sections 1547.11, 4506.17, and 4511.19 of the Revised Code. An EMT-I shall withdraw blood in accordance with this chapter and any rules adopted under it by the board.

Last updated April 13, 2022 at 1:39 PM

Section 4765.39 | Authorized services by EMT-paramedic.

• Effective: July 6, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 138 - 134th General Assembly

(A) An emergency medical technician-paramedic may perform any of the emergency medical services specified for paramedics in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services. A paramedic shall perform emergency medical services in accordance with this chapter and any rules adopted under it by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services.

(B)(1) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section, the emergency medical services provided by a paramedic shall be performed only pursuant to one of the following:

(a) The written or verbal authorization of a physician or of the cooperating physician advisory board;

(b) An authorization transmitted through a direct communication device by a physician, physician assistant designated by a physician, or registered nurse designated by a physician;

(c) Any applicable protocols adopted by the emergency medical service organization with which the paramedic is affiliated.

(2) Division (B)(1) of this section does not prohibit a paramedic from complying with a do-not-resuscitate order issued by a physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse pursuant to section 2133.211 of the Revised Code.

(C) In addition to, and in the course of, providing emergency medical treatment, a paramedic may withdraw blood as provided under sections 1547.11, 4506.17, and 4511.19 of the Revised Code. A paramedic shall withdraw blood in accordance with this chapter and any rules adopted under it by the board.

Last updated April 13, 2022 at 1:39 PM

Section 4765.391 | Administration of immunizations for influenza to firefighters or EMTs.

• Effective: August 15, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 244 - 129th General Assembly

(A) The medical director or cooperating physician advisory board of each emergency medical service organization may authorize one or more emergency medical technicians-paramedic within the organization to administer immunizations for influenza to either of the following:

(1) A full-time paid firefighter, part-time paid firefighter, or volunteer firefighter;

(2) An emergency medical technician-basic, emergency medical technician-intermediate, or paramedic.

(B) The medical director or cooperating physician advisory board of each emergency medical service organization shall establish written protocols and training necessary for a paramedic to administer an immunization for influenza under this section. A paramedic administering an immunization under this section shall do so in accordance with the protocols and training.

(C) For each immunization administered under this section, the paramedic administering the immunization shall, not later than thirty days after the immunization is administered, do either of the following:

(1) Provide notice of the immunization administration to the board of health of the city or general health district in which the individual receiving the immunization resides or, if there is no board of health for that district, the authority having the duties of a board of health under section 3709.05 of the Revised Code;

(2) Submit the immunization administration information to the state immunization registry maintained by the department of health.

Section 4765.40 | Written protocols for triage of adult and pediatric trauma victims.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

(A)(1) Not later than two years after November 3, 2000, the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall adopt rules under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code establishing written protocols for the triage of adult and pediatric trauma victims. The rules shall define adult and pediatric trauma in a manner that is consistent with section 4765.01 of the Revised Code, minimizes overtriage and undertriage, and emphasizes the special needs of pediatric and geriatric trauma patients.

(2) The state triage protocols adopted under division (A) of this section shall require a trauma victim to be transported directly to an adult or pediatric trauma center that is qualified to provide appropriate adult or pediatric trauma care, unless one or more of the following exceptions applies:

(a) It is medically necessary to transport the victim to another hospital for initial assessment and stabilization before transfer to an adult or pediatric trauma center;

(b) It is unsafe or medically inappropriate to transport the victim directly to an adult or pediatric trauma center due to adverse weather or ground conditions or excessive transport time;

(c) Transporting the victim to an adult or pediatric trauma center would cause a shortage of local emergency medical service resources;

(d) No appropriate adult or pediatric trauma center is able to receive and provide adult or pediatric trauma care to the trauma victim without undue delay;

(e) Before transport of a patient begins, the patient requests to be taken to a particular hospital that is not a trauma center or, if the patient is less than eighteen years of age or is not able to communicate, such a request is made by an adult member of the patient's family or a legal representative of the patient.

(3)(a) The state triage protocols adopted under division (A) of this section shall require trauma patients to be transported to an adult or pediatric trauma center that is able to provide appropriate adult or pediatric trauma care, but shall not require a trauma patient to be transported to a particular trauma center. The state triage protocols shall establish one or more procedures for evaluating whether an injury victim requires or would benefit from adult or pediatric trauma care, which procedures shall be applied by emergency medical service personnel based on the patient's medical needs. In developing state trauma triage protocols, the board shall consider relevant model triage rules and shall consult with the commission on minority health, regional directors, regional physician advisory boards, and appropriate medical, hospital, and emergency medical service organizations.

(b) Before the joint committee on agency rule review considers state triage protocols for trauma victims proposed by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, or amendments thereto, the board shall send a copy of the proposal to the Ohio chapter of the American college of emergency physicians, the Ohio chapter of the American college of surgeons, the Ohio chapter of the American academy of pediatrics, OHA: the association for hospitals and health systems, the Ohio osteopathic association, and the association of Ohio children's hospitals and shall hold a public hearing at which it must consider the appropriateness of the protocols to minimize overtriage and undertriage of trauma victims.

(c) The board shall provide copies of the state triage protocols, and amendments to the protocols, to each emergency medical service organization, regional director, regional physician advisory board, certified emergency medical service instructor, and person who regularly provides medical direction to emergency medical service personnel in the state; to each medical service organization in other jurisdictions that regularly provide emergency medical services in this state; and to others upon request.

(B)(1) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall approve regional protocols for the triage of adult and pediatric trauma victims, and amendments to such protocols, that are submitted to the board as provided in division (B)(2) of this section and provide a level of adult and pediatric trauma care comparable to the state triage protocols adopted under division (A) of this section. The board shall not otherwise approve regional triage protocols for trauma victims. The board shall not approve regional triage protocols for regions that overlap and shall resolve any such disputes by apportioning the overlapping territory among appropriate regions in a manner that best serves the medical needs of the residents of that territory. The trauma committee of the board shall have reasonable opportunity to review and comment on regional triage protocols and amendments to such protocols before the board approves or disapproves them.

(2) Regional protocols for the triage of adult and pediatric trauma victims, and amendments to such protocols, shall be submitted in writing to the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services by the regional physician advisory board or regional director, as appropriate, that serves a majority of the population in the region in which the protocols apply. Prior to submitting regional triage protocols, or an amendment to such protocols, to the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, a regional physician advisory board or regional director shall consult with each of the following that regularly serves the region in which the protocols apply:

(a) Other regional physician advisory boards and regional directors;

(b) Hospitals that operate an emergency facility;

(c) Adult and pediatric trauma centers;

(d) Professional societies of physicians who specialize in adult or pediatric emergency medicine or adult or pediatric trauma surgery;

(e) Professional societies of nurses who specialize in adult or pediatric emergency nursing or adult or pediatric trauma surgery;

(f) Professional associations or labor organizations of emergency medical service personnel;

(g) Emergency medical service organizations and medical directors of such organizations;

(h) Certified emergency medical service instructors.

(3) Regional protocols for the triage of adult and pediatric trauma victims approved under division (B)(2) of this section shall require patients to be transported to a trauma center that is able to provide an appropriate level of adult or pediatric trauma care; shall not discriminate among trauma centers for reasons not related to a patient's medical needs; shall seek to minimize undertriage and overtriage; may include any of the exceptions in division (A)(2) of this section; and supersede the state triage protocols adopted under division (A) of this section in the region in which the regional protocols apply.

(4) Upon approval of regional protocols for the triage of adult and pediatric trauma victims under division (B)(2) of this section, or an amendment to such protocols, the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall provide written notice of the approval and a copy of the protocols or amendment to each entity in the region in which the protocols apply to which the board is required to send a copy of the state triage protocols adopted under division (A) of this section.

(C)(1) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall review the state triage protocols adopted under division (A) of this section at least every three years to determine if they are causing overtriage or undertriage of trauma patients, and shall modify them as necessary to minimize overtriage and undertriage.

(2) Each regional physician advisory board or regional director that has had regional triage protocols approved under division (B)(2) of this section shall review the protocols at least every three years to determine if they are causing overtriage or undertriage of trauma patients and shall submit an appropriate amendment to the state board, as provided in division (B) of this section, as necessary to minimize overtriage and undertriage. The state board shall approve the amendment if it will reduce overtriage or undertriage while complying with division (B) of this section, and shall not otherwise approve the amendment.

(D) No provider of emergency medical services or person who provides medical direction to emergency medical service personnel in this state shall fail to comply with the state triage protocols adopted under division (A) of this section or applicable regional triage protocols approved under division (B)(2) of this section.

(E) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall adopt rules under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code that provide for enforcement of the state triage protocols adopted under division (A) of this section and regional triage protocols approved under division (B)(2) of this section, and for education regarding those protocols for emergency medical service organizations and personnel, regional directors and regional physician advisory boards, emergency medical service instructors, and persons who regularly provide medical direction to emergency medical service personnel in this state.

Section 4765.401 | Protocols for stroke patients.

• Effective: September 21, 2021
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 21 - 134th General Assembly

(A)(1) Not later than ninety days after the effective date of this amendment, the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall develop guidelines for the assessment, triage, and transport to hospitals of stroke patients by emergency medical service personnel. In doing so, the board shall consult with a diverse group of hospital leaders around this state, including those that represent large health systems, hospitals not affiliated with a large health system, hospitals located in rural communities, as well as comprehensive stroke centers, primary stroke centers, and acute stroke ready hospitals recognized as such by the department of health pursuant to section 3727.13 of the Revised Code. The board shall make the guidelines available on the internet web site maintained by the board. The board shall review the guidelines periodically and update them as needed. If the board updates the guidelines, the board shall make the updated versions available on the web site it maintains. The board may distribute the guidelines and their updated versions in any other manner acceptable to the board.

(2) Based on the guidelines developed under division (A)(1) of this section and not later than one hundred eighty days after the effective date of this amendment, the medical director or cooperating physician advisory board of each emergency medical service organization shall establish written protocols for the assessment, treatment, and transport to hospitals of stroke patients by emergency medical service personnel. When establishing protocols, the medical director or cooperating physician advisory board shall consult with one or more local hospitals.

(B)(1) The medical director or cooperating physician advisory board of each emergency medical service organization shall provide copies of its protocols annually to the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services; the department of health; and the regional director or regional advisory board appointed under section 4765.05 of the Revised Code for the organization's emergency medical services region.

(2) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall make available to the public copies of the protocols submitted under division (B)(1) of this section.

(C) The medical director or cooperating physician advisory board of each emergency medical service organization shall provide periodically to its emergency medical service personnel training in the assessment and treatment of stroke patients. The training shall address the assessment of stroke severity.

(D) The immunity from civil liability granted by section 4765.49 of the Revised Code applies to actions taken under this section.

Last updated July 12, 2021 at 11:25 AM

Section 4765.41 | Local written protocols.

• Effective: July 6, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 138 - 134th General Assembly

The medical director or cooperating physician advisory board of each emergency medical service organization shall establish written protocols to be followed by first responders, emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, and emergency medical technicians-paramedic in performing emergency medical services. Those protocols shall be consistent with applicable trauma triage protocols adopted under division (A) or approved under division (B)(2) of section 4765.40 of the Revised Code, but may direct to an adult or pediatric trauma center emergency victims that the applicable trauma triage protocols do not require to be transported to an adult or pediatric trauma center.

Last updated April 13, 2022 at 1:40 PM

Section 4765.42 | Appointment and qualifications of medical director, member of cooperating physician advisory board.

• Effective: July 6, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 138 - 134th General Assembly

(A) Each emergency medical service organization shall appoint a medical director or a cooperating physician advisory board. The organization shall give notice of the name of its medical director or the names of the members of its cooperating physician advisory board to the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services. The notice shall be made in writing.

(B) To be eligible to serve as a medical director or member of a cooperating physician advisory board, an individual shall be a physician who meets the qualifications established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. In adopting the rules, the state board shall require that all physicians meet the same qualifications regarding medical experience and completion of a medical director course, subject to both of the following:

(1) With respect to medical experience, the state board shall not limit eligibility to only those physicians who have completed a residency or fellowship program in emergency medicine or a related area or who are certified or eligible to be certified in a specialty or subspecialty of emergency medicine or a related area.

(2) With respect to completion of a medical director course, the state board shall permit a physician who has completed a residency or fellowship program in emergency medicine or a related area to use completion of that program as evidence of completing a medical director course.

Last updated April 13, 2022 at 4:42 PM

Section 4765.43 | Ambulance staffing.

• Effective: April 12, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 444 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) During each emergency run made by an ambulance that is equipped for emergency medical services, the emergency medical service organization operating the ambulance shall staff the ambulance in accordance with this section.

For purposes of determining the applicable staffing requirements, both of the following apply:

(1) An emergency run consists of components that are distinguished between the period during which the ambulance is traveling to the scene of an emergency and, if applicable, the period during which the ambulance is transporting a patient from the scene of the emergency.

(2) In the case of an emergency medical service organization that utilizes a combination of volunteer and paid emergency medical responders, emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians, or paramedics, the organization is considered to be substantially utilizing volunteers in a particular week when the paid individuals, taken as a whole, are scheduled for a total of not more than one hundred ninety-two hours in that week.

(B) With respect to the driver of an ambulance during an emergency run, both of the following apply:

(1) The driver must be at least eighteen years of age and hold a valid driver's license.

(2) The driver must meet at least one of the following criteria:

(a) Hold a valid certificate issued under section 4765.30 of the Revised Code to practice as an EMR, EMT, AEMT, or paramedic;

(b) Hold a valid fire training certificate issued pursuant to section 4765.55 of the Revised Code to provide services as a firefighter;

(c) Be employed and in good standing as a sworn sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, police officer, marshal, deputy marshal, or highway patrol trooper in this state;

(d) Have successfully completed either the emergency vehicle operations course approved by the national highway traffic safety administration or an equivalent course approved by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services.

(C) With respect to the component of an emergency run during which the ambulance is traveling to the scene of the emergency, the ambulance shall be staffed by at least one of the following:

(1) An EMT;

(2) An AEMT;

(3) A paramedic;

(4) Any other person authorized to drive an ambulance in accordance with division (B) of this section, without an EMT, AEMT, or paramedic, provided that the driver meets an EMT, AEMT, or paramedic at the scene of the emergency.

(D) With respect to the component of an emergency run during which a patient is being transported, the ambulance shall be staffed as follows:

(1) If the emergency medical service organization utilizes only paid individuals or utilizes volunteers on a basis that is not considered to be substantially utilizing volunteers, the ambulance shall be staffed by at least two EMTs, AEMTs, or paramedics. One of these individuals may serve as the driver.

(2) If the emergency medical service organization is substantially utilizing volunteers or utilizes only volunteers, the ambulance shall be staffed by at least two EMTs, AEMTs, or paramedics or by at least one EMR and one EMT, AEMT, or paramedic. One of these individuals may serve as the driver, but if the staffing requirement is being met by utilizing an EMR, the EMR shall serve as the driver. However, if the driver to the scene of the emergency was an individual authorized under division (C)(4) of this section who is not an EMR, that individual shall serve as the driver.

(E) As used in this section:

(1) "Emergency medical responder" and "EMR" have the same meanings as "first responder."

(2) "Emergency medical technician" and "EMT" have the same meanings as "emergency medical technician-basic" and "EMT-basic," respectively.

(3) "Advanced emergency medical technician" and "AEMT" have the same meanings as "emergency medical technician-intermediate" and "EMT-I," respectively.

Section 4765.431 | Ambulance staffing - nonemergency transport.

• Effective: July 6, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 138 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Emergency medical technician" and "EMT" have the same meanings as "emergency medical technician-basic" and "EMT-basic," respectively.

(2) "Advanced emergency medical technician" and "AEMT" have the same meanings as "emergency medical technician-intermediate" and "AEMT," respectively.

(3) "Nonemergency transport" means the transport of an individual who requires routine transportation to or from a medical appointment or service, is convalescent or otherwise nonambulatory, and, during transport to the destination facility, does not require medical monitoring, aid, care, or treatment.

(B) When an ambulance is used for the nonemergency transport of a patient, the emergency medical service organization operating the ambulance shall staff the ambulance as follows:

(1) One individual to serve as the driver who meets the requirements established in rules adopted under this section, but is not necessarily an emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician, or paramedic;

(2) In addition to the driver, at least one EMT, AEMT, or paramedic.

(C) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Last updated April 13, 2022 at 4:44 PM

Section 4765.45 | Reports to department of health.

• Effective: September 23, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 193 - 134th General Assembly

(A) If the department of public safety collects any of the following information regarding the administration of overdose reversal drugs, as defined in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code, by emergency medical service personnel or any firefighter or volunteer firefighter, the department of public safety shall report the information for the previous month to the department of health on a monthly basis and in a manner prescribed by the department of health:

(1) The five-digit postal zip code plus four-digit add-on where the overdose reversal drug was administered;

(2) The date on which the overdose reversal drug was administered;

(3) The number of doses administered;

(4) The name of the emergency medical service organization or fire department that administered the overdose reversal drug;

(5) Whether or not an overdose was reversed;

(6) Whether the individual to whom the overdose reversal drug was administered was taken to a hospital;

(7) If known, the individual's age;

(8) If known, the United States postal zip code in which the individual resides.

When reporting to the department of health, the department of public safety shall not include any information that identifies or tends to identify specific individuals to whom overdose reversal drugs were administered.

(B) Each month, the department of health shall compile the information received under division (A) of this section, organize it by county, and forward it to each board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services in this state.

(C) The department of health may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Last updated July 11, 2022 at 9:20 AM

Section 4765.48 | Prosecutions - injunctions.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

The attorney general, the prosecuting attorney of the county, or the city director of law shall, upon complaint of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, prosecute to termination or bring an action for injunction against any person violating this chapter or the rules adopted under it. The common pleas court in which an action for injunction is filed has the jurisdiction to grant injunctive relief upon a showing that the respondent named in the complaint is in violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under it.

Section 4765.49 | Emergency medical personnel and agencies - immunity.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 52 - 135th General Assembly

(A) A first responder, emergency medical technician-basic, emergency medical technician-intermediate, or emergency medical technician-paramedic is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from the individual's administration of emergency medical services, unless the services are administered in a manner that constitutes willful or wanton misconduct. A physician, physician assistant designated by a physician, or registered nurse designated by a physician, any of whom is advising or assisting in the emergency medical services by means of any communication device or telemetering system, is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from the individual's advisory communication or assistance, unless the advisory communication or assistance is provided in a manner that constitutes willful or wanton misconduct. Medical directors and members of cooperating physician advisory boards of emergency medical service organizations are not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from their acts or omissions in the performance of their duties, unless the act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(B) A political subdivision, joint ambulance district, joint emergency medical services district, or other public agency, and any officer or employee of a public agency or of a private organization operating under contract or in joint agreement with one or more political subdivisions, that provides emergency medical services, or that enters into a joint agreement or a contract with the state, any political subdivision, joint ambulance district, or joint emergency medical services district for the provision of emergency medical services, is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property arising out of any actions taken by a first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-I, or paramedic working under the officer's or employee's jurisdiction, or for injury, death, or loss to person or property arising out of any actions of licensed medical personnel advising or assisting the first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-I, or paramedic, unless the services are provided in a manner that constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(C) A student who is enrolled in an emergency medical services training program accredited under section 4765.17 of the Revised Code or an emergency medical services continuing education program approved under that section is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from either of the following:

(1) The student's administration of emergency medical services or patient care or treatment, if the services, care, or treatment is administered while the student is under the direct supervision and in the immediate presence of an EMT-basic, EMT-I, paramedic, registered nurse, physician assistant, or physician and while the student is receiving clinical training that is required by the program, unless the services, care, or treatment is provided in a manner that constitutes willful or wanton misconduct;

(2) The student's training as an ambulance driver, unless the driving is done in a manner that constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(D) An EMT-basic, EMT-I, paramedic, or other operator, who holds a valid commercial driver's license issued pursuant to Chapter 4506. of the Revised Code or driver's license issued pursuant to Chapter 4507. of the Revised Code and who is employed by an emergency medical service organization that is not owned or operated by a political subdivision as defined in section 2744.01 of the Revised Code, is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property that is caused by the operation of an ambulance by the EMT-basic, EMT-I, paramedic, or other operator while responding to or completing a call for emergency medical services, unless the operation constitutes willful or wanton misconduct or does not comply with the precautions of section 4511.03 of the Revised Code. An emergency medical service organization is not liable in damages in a civil action for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that is caused by the operation of an ambulance by its employee or agent, if this division grants the employee or agent immunity from civil liability for the injury, death, or loss.

(E) An employee or agent of an emergency medical service organization who receives requests for emergency medical services that are directed to the organization, dispatches first responders, EMTs-basic, EMTs-I, or paramedics in response to those requests, communicates those requests to those employees or agents of the organization who are authorized to dispatch first responders, EMTs-basic, EMTs-I, or paramedics, or performs any combination of these functions for the organization, is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from the individual's acts or omissions in the performance of those duties for the organization, unless an act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(F) A person who is performing the functions of a first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-I, or paramedic under the authority of the laws of a state that borders this state and who provides emergency medical services to or transportation of a patient in this state is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from the person's administration of emergency medical services, unless the services are administered in a manner that constitutes willful or wanton misconduct. A physician, physician assistant designated by a physician, or registered nurse designated by a physician, any of whom is licensed to practice in the adjoining state and who is advising or assisting in the emergency medical services by means of any communication device or telemetering system, is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from the person's advisory communication or assistance, unless the advisory communication or assistance is provided in a manner that constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(G) A person certified under section 4765.23 of the Revised Code to teach in an emergency medical services training program or emergency medical services continuing education program, and a person who teaches at the Ohio fire academy established under section 3737.33 of the Revised Code or in a fire service training program described in division (A) of section 4765.55 of the Revised Code, is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from the person's acts or omissions in the performance of the person's duties, unless an act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(H) In the accreditation of emergency medical services training programs or approval of emergency medical services continuing education programs, the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services and any person or entity authorized by the board to evaluate applications for accreditation or approval are not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from their acts or omissions in the performance of their duties, unless an act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(I) A person authorized by an emergency medical service organization to review the performance of first responders, EMTs-basic, EMTs-I, and paramedics or to administer quality assurance programs is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from the person's acts or omissions in the performance of the person's duties, unless an act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

Last updated April 27, 2023 at 2:04 PM

Section 4765.50 | Unauthorized practice.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 52 - 135th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (D) of this section, no person shall represent that the person is a first responder, an emergency medical technician-basic or EMT-basic, an emergency medical technician-intermediate or EMT-I, or an emergency medical technician-paramedic or paramedic unless appropriately certified under section 4765.30 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) No person shall operate an emergency medical services training program without a certificate of accreditation issued under section 4765.17 of the Revised Code.

(2) No person shall operate an emergency medical services continuing education program without a certificate of approval issued under section 4765.17 of the Revised Code.

(C) No public or private entity shall advertise or disseminate information leading the public to believe that the entity is an emergency medical service organization, unless that entity actually provides emergency medical services.

(D) A person who is performing the functions of a first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-I, or paramedic under the authority of the laws of a jurisdiction other than this state, who is employed by or serves as a volunteer with an emergency medical service organization based in that state, and provides emergency medical services to or transportation of a patient in this state is not in violation of division (A) of this section.

A person who is performing the functions of a first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-I, or paramedic under a reciprocal agreement authorized by section 4765.10 of the Revised Code is not in violation of division (A) of this section.

(E) On and after November 3, 2002, no physician shall purposefully do any of the following:

(1) Admit an adult trauma patient to a hospital that is not an adult trauma center for the purpose of providing adult trauma care;

(2) Admit a pediatric trauma patient to a hospital that is not a pediatric trauma center for the purpose of providing pediatric trauma care;

(3) Fail to transfer an adult or pediatric trauma patient to an adult or pediatric trauma center in accordance with applicable federal law, state law, and adult or pediatric trauma protocols and patient transfer agreements adopted under section 3727.09 of the Revised Code.

Last updated April 27, 2023 at 2:05 PM

Section 4765.51 | Registered nurses and physician assistants.

• Effective: October 15, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 110 - 131st General Assembly

Nothing in this chapter prevents or restricts the practice, services, or activities of any registered nurse practicing within the scope of the registered nurse's practice.

Nothing in this chapter prevents or restricts the practice, services, or activities of any physician assistant practicing in accordance with a supervision agreement entered into under section 4730.19 of the Revised Code, including, if applicable, the policies of the health care facility in which the physician assistant is practicing.

Section 4765.52 | Emergency medical attention to dog or cat.

• Effective: April 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 193 (GA 134), House Bill 392 (GA 134)

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Veterinarian" means an individual licensed under Chapter 4741. of the Revised Code to practice veterinary medicine.

(2) "Police dog" has the same meaning as in section 2921.321 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Overdose reversal drug" has the same meaning as in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) In the course of an emergency medical response, fire response, or response to aid law enforcement, a first responder, emergency medical technician-basic, emergency medical technician-intermediate, or emergency medical technician-paramedic may provide any of the following emergency medical services to a dog or cat prior to the dog or cat being transferred to a veterinarian for further treatment, but only to the extent that the first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-I, or paramedic is authorized by this chapter or rules adopted pursuant to this chapter to perform the corresponding form of each of the services when providing emergency medical services to a human patient:

(1) Opening and manually maintaining an airway;

(2) Giving mouth to snout or mouth to barrier ventilation;

(3) Administering oxygen;

(4) Managing ventilation by mask;

(5) Controlling hemorrhage with direct pressure;

(6) Immobilizing fractures;

(7) Bandaging;

(8) Administering an overdose reversal drug, if administering the drug has been authorized by the medical director or cooperating physician advisory board of an emergency medical service organization and the drug is administered either in accordance with a written protocol established and provided by a veterinarian or pursuant to a consultation with a veterinarian.

(C) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Revised Code to the contrary, a person authorized to drive an ambulance under this chapter and rules adopted under it may transport an injured police dog to a veterinarian for further treatment in the ambulance if both of the following apply:

(1) The police dog is injured in the line of duty.

(2) No other human person requires emergency transport by the ambulance at the time of the transport.

(D) In addition to the immunity from civil liability granted under division (A) of section 4765.49 of the Revised Code, a first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-I, paramedic, ambulance driver, or medical director or member of a cooperating physician advisory board of an emergency medical service organization is not subject to prosecution in a criminal proceeding or professional disciplinary action allegedly arising from an act or omission associated with the provision of emergency medical services to a dog or cat under this section or allegedly arising from an act or omission associated with the transport of a police dog under this section, unless the act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(E)(1) An emergency medical service organization is not liable for or subject to any of the following that allegedly arises from an act or omission associated with the provision of emergency medical services to a dog or cat under this section or allegedly arises from an act or omission associated with the transport of a police dog under this section, unless the act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct: damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property; prosecution in a criminal proceeding; or professional disciplinary action.

(2) The state board of pharmacy shall not take disciplinary action against an emergency medical service organization's license issued under Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code as a terminal distributor of dangerous drugs for reasons arising from an act or omission associated with the provision of emergency medical services to a dog or cat under this section or for reasons arising from an act or omission associated with the transport of a police dog under this section, unless the act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(F)(1) Notwithstanding any conflicting provision of Chapter 4741. of the Revised Code or rule adopted by the state veterinary medical licensing board, a veterinarian may establish and provide a written protocol to, or consult with, a first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-I, or paramedic for the purpose of enabling the provision of emergency medical services to a dog or cat under this section.

(2) A veterinarian who acts in good faith in accordance with this section is not liable for or subject to any of the following for any act or omission associated with a first responder's, EMT-basic's, EMT-I's, or paramedic's provision of emergency medical services to a dog or cat under this section: damages in any civil action; prosecution in any criminal proceeding; or professional disciplinary action.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Last updated February 15, 2023 at 4:43 PM

Section 4765.53 | COVID-19 tests and specimens.

• Effective: July 6, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 138 - 134th General Assembly

Notwithstanding any conflicting provision of the Revised Code, an emergency medical technician-basic, emergency medical technician-intermediate, or emergency medical technician-paramedic may administer a test for COVID-19 and may collect and label specimens from a test for COVID-19 if that individual has received proper training to engage in those activities.

Last updated April 13, 2022 at 4:45 PM

Section 4765.55 | Fire service training programs.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The executive director of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, with the advice and counsel of the firefighter and fire safety inspector training committee of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, shall assist in the establishment and maintenance by any state agency, or any county, township, city, village, school district, or educational service center of a fire service training program for the training of all persons in positions of any fire training certification level approved by the executive director, including full-time paid firefighters, part-time paid firefighters, volunteer firefighters, and fire safety inspectors in this state. The executive director, with the advice and counsel of the committee, shall adopt rules to regulate those firefighter and fire safety inspector training programs, and other training programs approved by the executive director. The rules may include, but need not be limited to, training curriculum, certification examinations, training schedules, minimum hours of instruction, attendance requirements, required equipment and facilities, basic physical requirements, and methods of training for all persons in positions of any fire training certification level approved by the executive director, including full-time paid firefighters, part-time paid firefighters, volunteer firefighters, and fire safety inspectors. The rules adopted to regulate training programs for volunteer firefighters shall not require more than thirty-six hours of training.

The executive director, with the advice and counsel of the committee, shall provide for the classification and chartering of fire service training programs in accordance with rules adopted under division (B) of this section, and may take action against any chartered training program or applicant, in accordance with rules adopted under divisions (B)(4) and (5) of this section, for failure to meet standards set by the adopted rules.

(B) The executive director, with the advice and counsel of the firefighter and fire safety inspector training committee of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, shall adopt, and may amend or rescind, rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that establish all of the following:

(1) Requirements for, and procedures for chartering, the training programs regulated by this section;

(2) Requirements for, and requirements and procedures for obtaining and renewing, an instructor certificate to teach the training programs and continuing education classes regulated by this section;

(3) Requirements for, and requirements and procedures for obtaining and renewing, any of the fire training certificates regulated by this section;

(4) Grounds and procedures for suspending, revoking, restricting, or refusing to issue or renew any of the certificates or charters regulated by this section, which grounds shall be limited to one of the following:

(a) Failure to satisfy the education or training requirements of this section;

(b) Conviction of a felony offense;

(c) Conviction of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;

(d) Conviction of a misdemeanor committed in the course of practice;

(e) In the case of a chartered training program or applicant, failure to meet standards set by the rules adopted under this division.

(5) Grounds and procedures for imposing and collecting fines, not to exceed one thousand dollars, in relation to actions taken under division (B)(4) of this section against persons holding certificates and charters regulated by this section, the fines to be deposited into the trauma and emergency medical services fund established under section 4513.263 of the Revised Code;

(6) Continuing education requirements for certificate holders, including a requirement that credit shall be granted for in-service training programs conducted by local entities. The continuing education requirements shall not require more than thirty-six hours of continuing education every three-year certification cycle. Local entities may require additional continuing education, provided that completion of such additional continuing education is not required for renewal of certification.

(7) Procedures for considering the granting of an extension or exemption of fire service continuing education requirements;

(8) Certification cycles for which the certificates and charters regulated by this section are valid;

(9) If determined necessary by the executive director, procedures and requirements for conducting background checks on applicants for the issuance and renewal of certification as a fire safety inspector in accordance with section 109.578 of the Revised Code.

(C)(1) The executive director, with the advice and counsel of the firefighter and fire safety inspector training committee of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, shall issue or renew an instructor certificate to teach the training programs and continuing education classes regulated by this section to any applicant that the executive director determines meets the qualifications established in rules adopted under division (B) of this section, and may take disciplinary action against an instructor certificate holder or applicant in accordance with rules adopted under division (B) of this section.

(2) On and after April 6, 2023, the executive director shall not issue to any new applicant a certificate to practice as an assistant fire instructor. Any assistant fire instructor certificate that was issued in accordance with rules adopted under division (B) of this section prior to April 6, 2023, remains valid, subject to any conditions or responsibilities of retaining the validity of that certificate, until the holder of the certificate allows it to expire or lapse. The certificate may be renewed by the holder of that certificate. The executive director shall adopt, amend, or rescind rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code in order to effectuate division (C)(2) of this section.

(3) The executive director, with the advice and counsel of the committee, shall charter or renew the charter of any training program that the executive director determines meets the qualifications established in rules adopted under division (B) of this section, and may take disciplinary action against the holder of a charter in accordance with rules adopted under division (B) of this section.

(D) The executive director shall issue or renew a fire training certificate for a firefighter, a fire safety inspector, or another position of any fire training certification level approved by the executive director, to any applicant that the executive director determines meets the qualifications established in rules adopted under division (B) of this section and may take disciplinary actions against a certificate holder or applicant in accordance with rules adopted under division (B) of this section.

(E) Certificates issued under this section shall be on a form prescribed by the executive director, with the advice and counsel of the firefighter and fire safety inspector training committee of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services.

(F)(1) The executive director, with the advice and counsel of the firefighter and fire safety inspector training committee of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, shall establish criteria for evaluating the standards maintained by the branches of the United States military for firefighter, fire safety inspector, and fire instructor training programs, and other training programs recognized by the executive director, to determine whether the standards are equivalent to those established under this section and shall establish requirements and procedures for issuing a certificate to each person who presents proof to the executive director of having satisfactorily completed a training program that meets those standards.

(2) The executive director, with the committee's advice and counsel, shall adopt rules establishing requirements and procedures for issuing a fire training certificate in lieu of completing a chartered training program.

(G) Notwithstanding any requirement for a certificate issued under this section, the executive director shall issue a certificate in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to an individual if either of the following applies:

(1) The individual holds a license or certificate in another state.

(2) The individual has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as a firefighter or fire safety inspector in a state that does not issue that license or certificate.

(H) Nothing in this section invalidates any other section of the Revised Code relating to the fire training academy. Section 4765.11 of the Revised Code does not affect any powers and duties granted to the executive director under this section.

(I) Notwithstanding any provision of division (B)(4) of this section to the contrary, the executive director shall not adopt rules for refusing to issue any of the certificates or charters regulated by this section to an applicant because of a criminal conviction unless the rules establishing grounds and procedures for refusal are in accordance with section 9.79 of the Revised Code.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 4:56 AM

Section 4765.56 | Effect of child support default on certificate to practice.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

On receipt of a notice pursuant to section 3123.43 of the Revised Code, the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall comply with sections 3123.41 to 3123.50 of the Revised Code and any applicable rules adopted under section 3123.63 of the Revised Code with respect to a certificate to practice issued pursuant to this chapter.

Section 4765.57 | Disposition of fetal death remains.

• Effective: September 12, 2008
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 175 - 127th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "fetal death" has the same meaning as in section 3705.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) Emergency medical service personnel shall dispose of the product of a fetal death in the manner set forth for the disposition of fetal remains in the "emergency medical technician-basic: national standard curriculum."

Section 4765.58 | Compliance with law regarding sanctions for human trafficking.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 247 - 129th General Assembly

The state board of emergency medical services shall comply with section 4776.20 of the Revised Code.

Section 4765.59 | Administration and rule-making authority.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall not administer laws and rules exceeding the statutory authority provided to the board under Chapters 4765. and 4766. of the Revised Code.

Section 4765.99 | Penalty.

• Effective: November 12, 1992
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 98 - 119th General Assembly

Whoever violates division (A),(B), or (C) of section 4765.50 of the Revised Code is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense. On each subsequent offense, such person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.