Tennessee AED Law Requirements & Compliance Guidelines

AED Requirements Summary

Supervising Doctor
- A licensed Tennessee doctor must oversee the AED program.
- Every time an AED is used, the doctor (or their designee) and the health department must be notified.
CPR & AED Training
- Anyone expected to use the AED must complete CPR and AED training from the American Heart Association or another nationally recognized program.
Tell EMS About the AED
- After getting an AED, you must register its location with the local emergency services (EMS dispatch) within 30 days.
Keep the AED in Good Condition
- The AED must be checked and maintained regularly, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Call 911 After Using the AED
- If someone uses the AED in an emergency, they must call emergency services (911) immediately after.

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.