Tennessee — AED and CPR state law overview
STATE LAW

Tennessee State AED Law

Stay compliant with Tennessee AED laws. Learn the requirements for AED placement, maintenance, training, and Good Samaritan protections to help keep your organization prepared.
1.Requirement 2.Good Samaritan Protection 3.Laws / Legislation 4.FAQs

01

Requirement

Physician

There must be a supervising physician licensed in Tennessee. Each time an AED is used for an individual in cardiac arrest, the entity shall require that the AED use is reported to the supervising physician or the person designated by the physician and to the department.

CPR/AED Training

Expected defibrillator users must receive American Heart Association CPR and AED or an equivalent nationally recognized course in defibrillator use and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

EMS Notification

Any person or entity who acquires an automatic external defibrillator must register the existence and location of the defibrillator with the emergency communications district or the ambulance dispatch center of the primary provider of emergency medical services where the automatic external defibrillator is to be located within thirty days of acquisition.

Maintenance Program

The defibrillator must be maintained and tested according to the manufacturer’s operational guidelines.

Notification of Use

Any person who renders emergency care or treatment on a person in cardiac arrest by using an automatic external defibrillator must activate the emergency medical services system as soon as possible.

02

Good Samaritan Protection

Rescuer
Purchaser
Property Owner
Physician
Trainer
TN Code § 63-6-218
2010

Provides Good Samaritan protection for use of an AED and establishes guidelines for AED programs.

03

Laws / Legislation

Reference Date Summary
House Bill 776
2019

Requires, rather than encourages, all public middle and elementary schools to place one or more automated external defibrillators within the school. – Amends TCA Title 49 and Title 68, Chapter 140, Part 4.

​House Bill 521
2018

Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-2-122(a), is amended by deleting the subsection in its entirety and substituting instead: All public high schools shall have automated external defibrillator (AED) devices.

TN Code § 68-140-409
2016

Sections § 68-140-402 and § 68-140-404 § 68-140-409 shall only apply to situations involving emergency use of an AED and in no case shall it apply where there is a duty to provide care. Nor shall it apply where a doctor has prescribed use of an AED for a patient’s use in the patient’s private home.

TN Code § 68-140-407
2016

An individual providing training to others in an approved program on the use of an AED shall be held harmless by the employer of the trainer for damages caused by training that was negligent.

TN Code § 68-140-406
2016

The entity responsible for the AED program shall not be liable for any civil liability for any personal injury that results from an act or omission that does not amount to willful or wanton misconduct or gross negligence if the applicable provisions and program established under § 68-140-404 and the rules adopted by the department pursuant to § 68-140-405 have been met by the entity and have been followed by the individuals using the AED.

TN Code § 68-140-405
2016

Specifies the rules, concerning AEDs, that shall be adopted by the department of health.

TN Code § 68-140-404
2016

Outlines the requirements for an entity to use or allow the use of an AED.

TN Code § 68-140-403
2016

Outlines instructions to ensure the public health and safety for a person that acquires an AED.

TN Code § 68-140-402
2016

Defines: Automated External Defibrillator.

TN Code § 68-140-401
2016

It is the intent of the general assembly that an AED may be used in accordance with § 68-140-403 for the purpose of saving the life of another person in cardiac arrest.

TN Code § 68-140-408
2015

Expected AED users shall complete training in CPR and the use of an AED through a course approved by the Tennessee emergency medical services board.

TN Rules and Reg § 0460-02-.07
2015

Outlines AED requirements for dental offices.

TN Code § 49-2-122
2010

Outlines AED requirements for public schools.

TN Code § 49-6-1208
2010

Outlines a comprehensive plan for training, certification, and credentialing in the use of AEDs, according to state board of education.

TN Rules and Reg § 1200-12-1-.19
2005

Outlines instructions to ensure the public health and safety for a person that acquires an AED.

Have a question?
We are here to help.

Check out the most common questions our customers asked. Still have questions? 

Contact our customer support.

Call 866-450-9906

Unbeatable Prices, Unmatched Service

Request an AED Quote Today

Interested in purchasing AEDs or in need of a purchase order? Look no further – we’re here to assist!

Request a quote