Tennessee State AED Laws

In Tennessee, AED programs require a licensed supervising physician. Users should complete American Heart Association CPR and AED training. Registration of AEDs with emergency services is mandatory upon acquisition. Regular maintenance and testing following manufacturer guidelines are essential, and emergency use of the AED should prompt activation of the medical services system.

Summary of Requirements
	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.

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.

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.