EMS Service Provider

Who needs an ALS or BLS ambulance service license?
Pursuant to section 401.25, F.S., and Rules 64J-1.002 and 64J-1.003, F.A.C., every person, firm, corporation, association, or governmental entity owning or acting as an agent for the owner of any business or service, which furnishes, operates, conducts, maintains, advertises, engages in, proposes to engage in, or professes to engage in the business or service of providing prehospital or interfacility ALS or BLS transportation services, must be licensed as an ALS or BLS ambulance service, before offering such service to the public.

What are the requirements for an ALS or BLS ambulance service license?
The requirements are listed on the application for ALS or BLS ambulance licensure. The following is a partial list of the major requirements: Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (COPCN) from the county commission in the county you wish to operate your service, a medical director (licensed Florida physician) with a Department of Justice-Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration (DEA registration is required for ALS only), vehicle liability insurance, trauma transport protocols, and an approved radio communication system. Approval of a radio communication system is completed by Department of Management Services (DMS)-Information Technology Program. Contact DMS for more information on EMS radio communication systems.

What is the required staffing for ALS and BLS vehicles and AIR ambulances?
Pursuant to section 401.25(7)(a), F.S., BLS vehicles are required to have, at a minimum, an emergency medical technician (EMT) attending the patient and a driver meeting the requirements in section 401.281, F.S. Pursuant to section 401.25(7)(b), F.S., ALS vehicles are required to have, at a minimum, a paramedic attending the patient and an EMT. Pursuant to section 401.252, F.S., Interfacility ambulance staffing is based on the patient’s condition as determined by the medical director. Aircraft-prehospital air ambulances are required to have, at a minimum, one paramedic.

Fees

Fees based on license, pursuant to section 401.34, F.S.:

• $660 for a BLS license
• $1,375 for an ALS and AIR license
• $25 for each vehicle or aircraft you permit under your license

The license and vehicle permits are issued for two years.

Who needs an AIR ambulance service license?
Pursuant to section 401.281, F.S., and Rule 64J-1.005, F.A.C., every person, firm, corporation, association or governmental entity owning or acting as an agent for the owner of any business or service, which furnishes, operates, conducts, maintains, advertises, engages in, proposes to engage in, or professes to engage in the business or service of transporting by air ambulance, must be licensed as an AIR ambulance service, before offering such service to the public.

What are the requirements for an AIR ambulance service license?
The requirements are listed on the application for air ambulance licensure. The following is a partial list of the major requirement: Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (COPCN) from the county commission in the county you wish to operate your prehospital service, a medical director (licensed Florida physician) with a Department of Justice-Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration (prehospital only), aircraft vehicle liability insurance, trauma transport protocols, and an approved radio communication system. Approval of a radio communication system is completed by DMS-Division of Telecommunication. Contact DMS for more information on EMS radio communication systems.

Fees

Fees based on license, pursuant to section 401.34, F.S.:

• $660 for a BLS license
• $1,375 for an ALS and AIR license
• $25 for each vehicle or aircraft you permit under your license

The license and vehicle permits are issued for two years.

What are the requirements for an ambulance driver?
Per section 401.281, F.S., each licensee is responsible for assuring that its vehicles are driven only by trained, experienced, and otherwise qualified personnel. The licensee must, at a minimum, document that each of its drivers:

• Is at least 18 years of age.
• Certifies under oath that he or she is not addicted to alcohol or any controlled substance.
• Certifies under oath that he or she is free from any physical or mental defect or disease that might impair his or her ability to drive an ambulance.
• Upon initial designation as a driver, has not, within the past 3 years, been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances and has not had a driver license suspended under the point system provided for in Chapter 322, F.S.
• Possesses a valid driver license issued under chapter 322, is trained in the safe operation of emergency vehicles, and has completed an emergency vehicle operator’s course or the reasonable equivalent as approved by the department; however, this paragraph applies only to a driver of a land vehicle.
• Possesses a valid American Red Cross or National Safety Council standard first aid course card or its equivalent.
• Possesses a valid American Red Cross or American Heart Association cardiopulmonary resuscitation card.
• Successfully completed a 16-hour course of instruction on driving an authorized emergency vehicle, which includes, at a minimum, classroom and behind-the-wheel training. Rule 64J-1.013, F.A.C., details the 16-hour course content.

Do I need to have vehicle or aircraft permitted before operating them?
Yes, per Florida Administrative Code, vehicles and aircraft must be permitted under your service license before operating them.

What are the levels of vehicle permitting?
Vehicles are permitted either ALS, BLS, or dually permitted. Once permitted at that level, the vehicle must be operated at all times at that level with the required staffing and equipment.

I have a permitted vehicle/aircraft that requires maintenance. Can I use an unpermitted vehicle/aircraft in its place?
Yes, when it is necessary for a permitted vehicle/aircraft to be out of service for routine maintenance or repairs, a substitute vehicle/aircraft meeting the same transport capabilities and equipment specifications as the out of service vehicle/aircraft may be used for a period of time not to exceed 30 days. An unpermitted vehicle/aircraft cannot be placed into service, nor can a BLS vehicle be used at the ALS level unless it is replacing a vehicle that has been temporarily taken out of service for maintenance. When such a substitution is made, the following information shall be maintained by the licensee and shall be accessible to the Department:

• Identification of permitted vehicle/aircraft taken out of service
• Identification of substitute vehicle/aircraft
• Date on which the substitute vehicle/aircraft was placed into service, the date on which it was removed from service, and the date the permitted vehicle/aircraft was returned to service

If I permit a vehicle/aircraft in the middle of my two-year licensure cycle, how long is the permit good for?
The permit WILL expire at the same time your license does.