Emergency Medical Services

Ambulance Service Information

Important Information:

Ambulance Equipment Specifications Effective July 1, 2019

State law requires that all ambulance services operating in Tennessee have a state license issued by the Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). TCA 68-140-506 requires such licensure and authorizes the state EMS Board to promulgate rules for this purpose. The EMS Board’s ambulance service licensing and related rules are contained in Rule 1200-12-1-.01, .02, .03, .05 - .11, .14, and .15.

Tennessee’s Ambulance services are categorized as Ground or Air. The ambulance services licensed are Standard Ground, Invalid or Volunteer Services. The Air services licensed are Helicopter or Fixed Wing services. Invalid Service only provide stretcher transportation for those who do not need medical care or monitoring while being transported (rule 1200-12-1-.09).

An applicant applying for an ambulance service license must complete and submit to the EMS Office the “Application for Initial Ambulance Service Licensure” form in its entirety along with all other required documents and fees (those forms can be downloaded from this web site). Each ambulance (vehicle) to be operated under the license must pass an inspection by the EMS Office and be separately permitted.

A separate service license is required for each county in which the service has a base of operations. Ambulances (vehicles) will be separately permitted to each license to which they are assigned. Only licensed ambulance services will be issued ambulance (vehicle) permits.

All ambulance service licenses and ambulance (vehicle) permits must be renewed by July 1 of each year. Renewal notices are mailed each spring and must be returned by the deadline with the appropriate fees.

If you have questions regarding ambulance licensure contact the EMS Office at:

665 Mainstream Drive
Nashville, TN 37243
Telephone# 615-741-2584
Toll Free# 1-800-778-4505
Fax# 615-741-4217
Email: health.ems@tn.gov