Title 202 | Chapter 007 | Regulation 801REG
PROPOSED
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INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES
Board of Emergency Medical Services
(Amended at ARRS Committee)
202 KAR 7:801.Medical directors.
Section 1.
Existing Medical Directors Exempt from Initial Certification. A medical director who was approved by the board on or before October 1, 2026, shall be deemed to hold an initial medical director certification and shall not be required to apply for initial certification as an Agency Medical Director or EMS-TEI Primary Medical Director under Sections 2 or 7 of this administrative regulation.Section 2.Section 1.
Agency(1)
An individual desiring initial certification as an Agency Medical Director(a)
Hold a current, unrestricted license to practice medicine in Kentucky as a physician;(b)
Satisfy one (1) of the following:1.
Be certified in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) or the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM);2.
Be certified in emergency medicine by the ABEM or AOBEM and successfully complete the board-approved Kentucky EMS Medical Director Introductory Course; or3.
Be certified in any specialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS), or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and:a.
Successfully complete the board-approved Kentucky EMS Medical Director Full Course; andb.
Hold and maintain current provider certification in:(i)
Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS);(ii)
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), through either American Heart Association or the American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI); and(iii)
Pediatric Advanced Life Support or Pediatric Education for Prehospital Professionals (PEPP);(c)
Submit a completed EMS Medical Director application in KEMSIS; and(d)
Pay the fee required for certification pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030.(b)
(2)
(a)
(b)
1.
2.
3.
(3)
(a)
(b)
1.
2.
3.
(2)(4)
A physician applying to become an Agency Medical Director(5)
Section 3.
Renewal of Agency Medical Director Certification and Continuing Education Requirements. An Agency Medical Director shall be eligible for certification renewal if the applicant:(1)
Submits a completed EMS Medical Director application in KEMSIS;(2)
Pays the renewal fee pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030;(3)
Submits evidence of current, unrestricted licensure to practice medicine in Kentucky as a physician;(4)
Maintains evidence of successful completion of at least sixteen (16) hours of continuing education consisting of the following:(a)
A board-approved medical director update;(b)
At least eight (8) hours of providing EMS education for agencies or providers; and(c)
At least four (4) hours of EMS continuing education or other equivalent American Medical Association Physician's Recognition Award program (AMA PRA Category 1) or Continuing Education Unit (CEU) in emergency medicine; and(5)
If certified pursuant to Section 2(1)(b)3. of this administrative regulation, submits evidence of current certification in:(a)
ATLS;(b)
ACLS, through either the AHA or the ASHI; and(c)
Pediatric ALS or PEPP; or(6)
If exempt from initial certification pursuant to Section 1 of this administrative regulation, submits evidence of:(a)
Current certification in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) or the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM);(b)
(c)
Current certification in:1.
ATLS;2.
ACLS, through either the AHA or the ASHI; and3.
Pediatric ALS or PEPP.Section 4.Section 2.
Agency(1)
Establishing medical protocols and standing orders for communications and patient care personnel;(2)
Serving as a liaison with the local medical community;(3)
Interacting with regional, state, and local EMS authorities on issues relating to EMS standards, needs and requirements, and the optimization of resource utilization;(4)
Maintaining continuing education appropriate for the Agency Medical Director(5)
Restricting or limiting patient care functions of staff;(6)
Establishing patient destination policies;(7)
Establishing initial qualification of personnel involved in patient care and dispatch;(8)
Developing, implementing, and maintaining a quality improvement program for continuous system and patient care improvement;(9)
Developing, implementing, and maintaining credentialing of personnel who provide patient care; and(10)
Developing on-line medical control policies.Section 5.
Associate Medical Director Certification.(1)
An individual desiring initial certification as an Associate Medical Director shall:(a)
Be a physician who(b)
Successfully complete the board-approved Kentucky EMS Medical Director Introduction Course;(c)
Hold and maintain current provider certification in:1.
ATLS;2.
ACLS, through either AHA or the ASHI; and3.
Pediatric ALS or PEPP;(d)
Submit a completed EMS Medical Director application in KEMSIS; and(e)
Pay the fee required for certification pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030.(2)
Associate medical directors shall only function under the supervision and authority of the agency's board-certified Agency Medical Director.(3)
If approved by the Agency Medical Director, an associate medical director may serve as on-line medical control for an agency with which the associate medical director is affiliated.Section 6.
Renewal of Associate Medical Director Certification and Continuing Education Requirements. An associate medical director shall be eligible for certification renewal if the applicant:(1)
Submits a completed EMS Medical Director application in KEMSIS;(2)
Pays the fee required for certification renewal pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030;(3)
Submits evidence of current, unrestricted licensure to practice medicine in Kentucky as a nurse practitioner (NP) or physician assistant (PA); and(4)
Maintains evidence of successful completion of at least sixteen (16) hours of continuing education consisting of the following:(a)
A board-approved medical director update;(b)
At least eight (8) hours of providing EMS education for agencies or providers; and(c)
At least four (4) hours of EMS continuing education or other equivalent American Medical Association Physician's Recognition Award program (AMA PRA Category 1) or Continuing Education Unit (CEU) in emergency medicine.Section 7.
EMS-TEI Primary Medical Director Certification Requirements. An individual desiring initial certification as an EMS-TEI Primary Medical Director shall:(1)
Hold a current, unrestricted license to practice medicine in Kentucky as a physician;(2)
Satisfy one (1) of the following:(a)
Be a board-certified EMS Medical Director;(b)
Be certified in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) or the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM);(c)
(d)
(3)
Successfully complete the board-approved EMS-TEI Medical Director Course;(4)
Submit a completed EMS Medical Director application in KEMSIS; and(5)
Pay the fee required for certification pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030.Section 8.
EMS-TEI Associate Medical Director Certification Requirements. An individual desiring initial certification as an EMS-TEI Associate Medical Director shall:(1)
Hold a current, unrestricted license to practice medicine in Kentucky as a physician;(2)
Successfully complete the board-approved EMS-TEI Medical Director Course;(3)
Have training or experience in the delivery of emergency care, including the proper care and transport of patients, medical direction, and quality improvement in out-of-hospital care;(4)
Submit a completed EMS Medical Director application in KEMSIS; and(5)
Pay the fee required for certification pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030.Section 9.
EMS-TEI Assistant Medical Director Certification Requirements. An individual desiring initial certification as an EMS-TEI Assistant Medical Director shall:(1)
Hold a current, unrestricted license to practice medicine as a physician in the state where the EMS-TEI program's students are participating in clinical rotations, field experience, or a capstone field internship;(2)
Successfully complete the board-approved EMS-TEI Medical Director Course;(3)
Have training or experience in the delivery of emergency care, including the proper care and transport of patients, medical direction, and quality improvement in out-of-hospital care;(4)
Submit a completed EMS Medical Director application in KEMSIS; and(5)
Pay the fee required for certification pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030.Section 10.
Renewal of EMS-TEI Primary Medical Director, EMS-TEI Associate Medical Director, and EMS-TEI Assistant Medical Director Certifications. An EMS-TEI Primary Medical Director, EMS-TEI Associate Medical Director, or EMS-TEI Assistant Medical Director shall be eligible for certification renewal if the applicant:(1)
Submits a completed EMS Medical Director application in KEMSIS;(2)
Pays the renewal fee pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030;(3)
If exempt from initial certification pursuant to Section 1 of this administrative regulation, maintains(4)
Submits evidence of current, unrestricted licensure to practice medicine as a physician in Kentucky; or(5)
If certified as an EMS-TEI Assistant Medical Director pursuant to Section 8 of this administrative regulation, submits evidence of current, unrestricted licensure to practice medicine in the state where the EMS-TEI program students are participating in clinical rotations, field experience, or a capstone field internship.Section 11.
Expiration of Certifications.(1)
All certifications issued pursuant to this administrative regulation shall:(a)
Be valid for a period of two (2) years upon renewal; and(b)
Expire on April 30 of the second year from its initial issuance.(2)
An initial certification issued to an existing medical director pursuant to Section 1 of this administrative regulation shall expire on April 30, 2028.Section 12.
Certification and Continuing Education Validation and Audits.(1)
The board office may audit a medical director's continuing education record and certifications. The medical director shall submit the documentation requested within ten (10) business days of receipt of the board office's request.(2)
If documentation of certifications or continuing education hours consistent with this administrative regulation are not received using the board-approved submission process within ten (10) business days upon receipt of the board's request, the medical director's certification shall be deemed to have lapsed and the individual shall reapply for certification, if eligible.(3)
The ten (10) business days for submission shall not apply to investigations pursuant to KRS Chapter 311A.(4)
Each medical director shall maintain documentation of all required certifications and all continuing education for three (3) years from the date of completion.Section 13.
Public Notice of Negative Action. The board office shall cause to be published on the board website the name of any person certified pursuant to this administrative regulation who:(1)
Is fined;(2)
Is placed on probationary status;(3)
Is placed on restricted status;(4)
Is suspended; or(5)
Has had his or her certification revoked.Section 14.
Incorporation by Reference.(1)
The following material is incorporated by reference: "EMS Medical Director" application in KEMSIS, August 2025.(2)
This material may be inspected, obtained, or copied, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Office of the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services, 500 Mero Street, 5th Floor 5SE32, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, by appointment, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.(3)
This material is also available at kemsis.ky.gov.Section 3.
FILED WITH LRC: June 9, 2026
CONTACT PERSON: John K. Wood, counsel for the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services, 163 East Main Street, Suite 200, Lexington, Kentucky 40507, Phone: (859) 225-4714, Email: administrativeregulations@wgmfirm.com.
INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES
Board of Emergency Medical Services
(Amended at ARRS Committee)
202 KAR 7:801.Medical directors.
Section 1.
Existing Medical Directors Exempt from Initial Certification. A medical director who was approved by the board on or before October 1, 2026, shall be deemed to hold an initial medical director certification and shall not be required to apply for initial certification as an Agency Medical Director or EMS-TEI Primary Medical Director under Sections 2 or 7 of this administrative regulation.Section 2.
Agency Medical Director Certification Requirements.(1)
An individual desiring initial certification as an Agency Medical Director shall:(a)
Hold a current, unrestricted license to practice medicine in Kentucky as a physician;(b)
Satisfy one (1) of the following:1.
Be certified in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) or the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM);2.
Be certified in emergency medicine by the ABEM or AOBEM and successfully complete the board-approved Kentucky EMS Medical Director Introductory Course; or3.
Be certified in any specialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS), or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and:a.
Successfully complete the board-approved Kentucky EMS Medical Director Full Course; andb.
Hold and maintain current provider certification in:(i)
Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS);(ii)
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), through either American Heart Association or the American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI); and(iii)
Pediatric Advanced Life Support or Pediatric Education for Prehospital Professionals (PEPP);(c)
Submit a completed EMS Medical Director application in KEMSIS; and(d)
Pay the fee required for certification pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030.(2)
A physician applying to become an Agency Medical Directormay request a waiver for up to twelve (12) months to acquire the certifications under subsection (1)(b)3.b. of this section.Section 3.
Renewal of Agency Medical Director Certification and Continuing Education Requirements. An Agency Medical Director shall be eligible for certification renewal if the applicant:(1)
Submits a completed EMS Medical Director application in KEMSIS;(2)
Pays the renewal fee pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030;(3)
Submits evidence of current, unrestricted licensure to practice medicine in Kentucky as a physician;(4)
Maintains evidence of successful completion of at least sixteen (16) hours of continuing education consisting of the following:(a)
A board-approved medical director update;(b)
At least eight (8) hours of providing EMS education for agencies or providers; and(c)
At least four (4) hours of EMS continuing education or other equivalent American Medical Association Physician's Recognition Award program (AMA PRA Category 1) or Continuing Education Unit (CEU) in emergency medicine; and(5)
If certified pursuant to Section 2(1)(b)3. of this administrative regulation, submits evidence of current certification in:(a)
ATLS;(b)
ACLS, through either the AHA or the ASHI; and(c)
Pediatric ALS or PEPP; or(6)
If exempt from initial certification pursuant to Section 1 of this administrative regulation, submits evidence of:(a)
Current certification in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) or the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM);(b)
Current certification in emergency medicine by the ABEM or AOBEM and successful completion of the board-approved Kentucky EMS Medical Director Introductory Course; or(c)
Current certification in:1.
ATLS;2.
ACLS, through either the AHA or the ASHI; and3.
Pediatric ALS or PEPP.Section 4.
Agency Medical Director Responsibilities. Agency Medical Directors shall function under terms of employment or a contractual agreement that specifically address the responsibilities of the medical director and the employer or the contractor responsibilities for the following topics:(1)
Establishing medical protocols and standing orders for communications and patient care personnel;(2)
Serving as a liaison with the local medical community;(3)
Interacting with regional, state, and local EMS authorities on issues relating to EMS standards, needs and requirements, and the optimization of resource utilization;(4)
Maintaining continuing education appropriate for the Agency Medical Director, administrative staff, communication and patient care personnel;(5)
Restricting or limiting patient care functions of staff;(6)
Establishing patient destination policies;(7)
Establishing initial qualification of personnel involved in patient care and dispatch;(8)
Developing, implementing, and maintaining a quality improvement program for continuous system and patient care improvement;(9)
Developing, implementing, and maintaining credentialing of personnel who provide patient care; and(10)
Developing on-line medical control policies.Section 5.
Associate Medical Director Certification.(1)
An individual desiring initial certification as an Associate Medical Director shall:(a)
Be a physician who meets the requirements of Section 1 of this administrative regulation or holds a current, unrestricted license to practice medicine in Kentucky as a nurse practitioner (NP) or physician assistant (PA);(b)
Successfully complete the board-approved Kentucky EMS Medical Director Introduction Course;(c)
Hold and maintain current provider certification in:1.
ATLS;2.
ACLS, through either AHA or the ASHI; and3.
Pediatric ALS or PEPP;(d)
Submit a completed EMS Medical Director application in KEMSIS; and(e)
Pay the fee required for certification pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030.(2)
Associate medical directors shall only function under the supervision and authority of the agency's board-certified Agency Medical Director.(3)
If approved by the Agency Medical Director, an associate medical director may serve as on-line medical control for an agency with which the associate medical director is affiliated.Section 6.
Renewal of Associate Medical Director Certification and Continuing Education Requirements. An associate medical director shall be eligible for certification renewal if the applicant:(1)
Submits a completed EMS Medical Director application in KEMSIS;(2)
Pays the fee required for certification renewal pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030;(3)
Submits evidence of current, unrestricted licensure to practice medicine in Kentucky as a nurse practitioner (NP) or physician assistant (PA); and(4)
Maintains evidence of successful completion of at least sixteen (16) hours of continuing education consisting of the following:(a)
A board-approved medical director update;(b)
At least eight (8) hours of providing EMS education for agencies or providers; and(c)
At least four (4) hours of EMS continuing education or other equivalent American Medical Association Physician's Recognition Award program (AMA PRA Category 1) or Continuing Education Unit (CEU) in emergency medicine.Section 7.
EMS-TEI Primary Medical Director Certification Requirements. An individual desiring initial certification as an EMS-TEI Primary Medical Director shall:(1)
Hold a current, unrestricted license to practice medicine in Kentucky as a physician;(2)
Satisfy one (1) of the following:(a)
Be a board-certified EMS Medical Director;(b)
Be certified in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) or the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM);(c)
Be certified in emergency medicine by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Association of Physician Specialists (AAPS), the ABEM, or the AOBEM; or(d)
Be certified in any specialty by the ABMS, the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS), or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) with evidence of training or experience in the delivery of emergency care, including the proper care and transport of patients, medical direction, and quality improvement in out-of-hospital care;(3)
Successfully complete the board-approved EMS-TEI Medical Director Course;(4)
Submit a completed EMS Medical Director application in KEMSIS; and(5)
Pay the fee required for certification pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030.Section 8.
EMS-TEI Associate Medical Director Certification Requirements. An individual desiring initial certification as an EMS-TEI Associate Medical Director shall:(1)
Hold a current, unrestricted license to practice medicine in Kentucky as a physician;(2)
Successfully complete the board-approved EMS-TEI Medical Director Course;(3)
Have training or experience in the delivery of emergency care, including the proper care and transport of patients, medical direction, and quality improvement in out-of-hospital care;(4)
Submit a completed EMS Medical Director application in KEMSIS; and(5)
Pay the fee required for certification pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030.Section 9.
EMS-TEI Assistant Medical Director Certification Requirements. An individual desiring initial certification as an EMS-TEI Assistant Medical Director shall:(1)
Hold a current, unrestricted license to practice medicine as a physician in the state where the EMS-TEI program's students are participating in clinical rotations, field experience, or a capstone field internship;(2)
Successfully complete the board-approved EMS-TEI Medical Director Course;(3)
Have training or experience in the delivery of emergency care, including the proper care and transport of patients, medical direction, and quality improvement in out-of-hospital care;(4)
Submit a completed EMS Medical Director application in KEMSIS; and(5)
Pay the fee required for certification pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030.Section 10.
Renewal of EMS-TEI Primary Medical Director, EMS-TEI Associate Medical Director, and EMS-TEI Assistant Medical Director Certifications. An EMS-TEI Primary Medical Director, EMS-TEI Associate Medical Director, or EMS-TEI Assistant Medical Director shall be eligible for certification renewal if the applicant:(1)
Submits a completed EMS Medical Director application in KEMSIS;(2)
Pays the renewal fee pursuant to 202 KAR 7:030;(3)
If exempt from initial certification pursuant to Section 1 of this administrative regulation, maintains evidence of successful completion of the board-approved EMS-TEI Medical Director Course; and(4)
Submits evidence of current, unrestricted licensure to practice medicine as a physician in Kentucky; or(5)
If certified as an EMS-TEI Assistant Medical Director pursuant to Section 8 of this administrative regulation, submits evidence of current, unrestricted licensure to practice medicine in the state where the EMS-TEI program students are participating in clinical rotations, field experience, or a capstone field internship.Section 11.
Expiration of Certifications.(1)
All certifications issued pursuant to this administrative regulation shall:(a)
Be valid for a period of two (2) years upon renewal; and(b)
Expire on April 30 of the second year from its initial issuance.(2)
An initial certification issued to an existing medical director pursuant to Section 1 of this administrative regulation shall expire on April 30, 2028.Section 12.
Certification and Continuing Education Validation and Audits.(1)
The board office may audit a medical director's continuing education record and certifications. The medical director shall submit the documentation requested within ten (10) business days of receipt of the board office's request.(2)
If documentation of certifications or continuing education hours consistent with this administrative regulation are not received using the board-approved submission process within ten (10) business days upon receipt of the board's request, the medical director's certification shall be deemed to have lapsed and the individual shall reapply for certification, if eligible.(3)
The ten (10) business days for submission shall not apply to investigations pursuant to KRS Chapter 311A.(4)
Each medical director shall maintain documentation of all required certifications and all continuing education for three (3) years from the date of completion.Section 13.
Public Notice of Negative Action. The board office shall cause to be published on the board website the name of any person certified pursuant to this administrative regulation who:(1)
Is fined;(2)
Is placed on probationary status;(3)
Is placed on restricted status;(4)
Is suspended; or(5)
Has had his or her certification revoked.Section 14.
Incorporation by Reference.(1)
The following material is incorporated by reference: "EMS Medical Director" application in KEMSIS, August 2025.(2)
This material may be inspected, obtained, or copied, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Office of the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services, 500 Mero Street, 5th Floor 5SE32, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, by appointment, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.(3)
This material is also available at kemsis.ky.gov.FILED WITH LRC: June 9, 2026
CONTACT PERSON: John K. Wood, counsel for the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services, 163 East Main Street, Suite 200, Lexington, Kentucky 40507, Phone: (859) 225-4714, Email: administrativeregulations@wgmfirm.com.