Emergency Medical Services

Board Information

The Emergency Medical Services Board consists of 13 board members who are appointed by the Governor that include:

• Two physicians,
• One registered nurse,
• One hospital administrator,
• One member licensed as an EMT, EMT-P, registered nurse, or physician (who is affiliated with a volunteer ambulance service),
• Two operators of ambulance services (licensed as an EMT or EMT-P),
• One rescue squad member (licensed as an EMT or EMT-P),
• One professional firefighter (licensed as an EMT-Paramedic),
• One member affiliated with emergency management (licensed as an EMT or EMT-P),
• Two officials of local governments that operate ambulance services, and
• One paramedic instructor from an accredited paramedic program in Tennessee.

Four members are appointed from each of the state's three grand divisions, as well as one at-large member. Members are appointed for a term of four years, with the Board chair elected from among the members of the board. A quorum is seven members.

The Board is empowered to approve schools and prescribe courses for EMS personnel, promulgate regulations governing licenses and permits, and establish standards for the activities and operation of emergency medical and ambulance services. The Board conducts hearings to review and decide disciplinary matters presented by the Department and may suspend, revoke or otherwise discipline any authorization required for emergency medical personnel and ambulance services.