A plain-language breakdown of ARS 36-2262 and the related statutes governing physician oversight, state buildings, dental offices, and the upcoming high school AED mandate in Arizona.
Arizona is one of the few states that still requires formal physician oversight as a baseline condition for every AED program. Under ARS 36-2262, any person or entity that acquires an AED must enter into an agreement with a licensed physician to oversee public access defibrillation, require trained users to call 911 when the device is used on someone in cardiac arrest, submit a written report to the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems within five working days of use, and maintain the device per manufacturer guidelines. Good Samaritan immunity under ARS 36-2263 is broad, but unlike some states, it is not automatically conditioned on every acquirer meeting all program requirements — the statute lists specific protected categories of people and entities.
Arizona also mandates AED placement in new or majorly renovated state buildings, requires AEDs as part of equipment standards for dental offices administering sedation or anesthesia, and, starting August 1, 2026, requires every public high school that sponsors an athletic team or sports program to provide an AED at each campus and athletic event, train coaches in CPR and AED use, and meet a three-minute retrieval standard.
Not legal advice. This page summarizes publicly available statutes for informational purposes. Laws change and individual circumstances vary — consult a qualified attorney or your state health department before relying on this for compliance decisions.
Arizona AED Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Summary |
|---|---|
| Good Samaritan Law | Civil liability immunity for the physician, the trainer, the acquirer, the property owner, the AED provider, intermediary nonprofits, Good Samaritans, and trained users. Does not cover willful misconduct or gross negligence. Does not limit manufacturer product liability. |
| Physician Oversight | Any entity that acquires an AED must enter into an agreement with a licensed physician to oversee public access defibrillation aspects of the program. |
| Post-Use Reporting | A written report must be submitted to the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems within five working days after AED use. |
| 911 Activation | Trained users must call 911 as soon as possible after using an AED on someone in cardiac arrest. |
| Device Maintenance | The AED must be maintained in good working order and tested per manufacturer guidelines. |
| Exemptions | Home-use AEDs under a physician’s prescription, and firefighters, EMTs, or ambulance attendants acting within their professional scope, are exempt from the program requirements. |
| State Buildings | Any state building constructed or majorly renovated (at a cost of $250,000 or more) after the statute’s effective date must be equipped with AEDs. |
| Dental Offices | Offices holding a general anesthesia, deep sedation, parenteral sedation, or oral sedation permit must have a cardiac defibrillator or AED on site as required equipment, with at least one staff member CPR-certified at the Health Care Provider level present during the procedure. |
| High Schools Eff. Aug 2026 | Public high schools that sponsor an athletic team or sports program must provide an AED at each campus and athletic event, meet accessibility and retrieval standards, and require coach CPR/AED training. |
Arizona AED Statutes & Regulations
ARS 36-2261
Definitions
What counts as an AED, a trained user, and an overseeing physician
▾
Defines an AED as an FDA-approved medical device capable of recognizing ventricular fibrillation or rapid ventricular tachycardia, determining without operator intervention whether defibrillation is needed, and automatically charging and delivering an electrical impulse.
ARS 36-2262
Automated external defibrillators; use; requirements
The core statute — physician oversight, 911 calling, 5-day reporting, maintenance
▾
Sets the four core obligations for any acquirer: a physician oversight agreement, a 911-calling requirement for trained users after AED use on a cardiac arrest patient, a written report to the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems within five working days of use, and manufacturer-compliant maintenance and testing.
ARS 36-2263
Civil liability; limited immunity; good Samaritan
Who is protected, and what immunity does not cover
▾
Provides civil liability immunity, absent willful misconduct or gross negligence, to the overseeing physician, AED trainers, the acquiring person or entity, the property owner, AED providers, intermediary nonprofits, Good Samaritans (defined as anyone using an AED in good faith and without compensation at an emergency scene), and trained users.
ARS 36-2264
Exemption from regulation
Home-use AEDs and on-duty emergency responders
▾
Exempts home-use AEDs obtained under a physician’s prescription, and firefighters, EMTs, or ambulance attendants employed by a fire district or regulated fire department or ambulance service acting within their professional scope.
ARS 34-401
New and renovated state buildings; automated external defibrillators
Mandatory AEDs for qualifying state construction projects
▾
Any state building constructed, or any state building undergoing a major renovation costing at least $250,000, after the statute’s effective date must be equipped with AEDs.
The statute also directs the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting to fund AED placement in capital budgets for new state buildings each fiscal year.
ARS 15-120.07
High school sports; automated external defibrillators; definitions
Effective August 1, 2026 — campus AEDs, retrieval standards, coach training
▾
Each AED must be in an unlocked, clearly marked, easily accessible location during the school day and during athletic events; in a location allowing prompt retrieval and use; sited in compliance with guidelines from a nationally recognized emergency cardiovascular care organization; and maintained in good working order per manufacturer guidelines.
The law was enacted through SB 1707, which also requires coaches of high school athletic programs to complete a CPR, first aid, and AED training course following nationally recognized cardiovascular care guidelines, and appropriates $500,000 in FY 2026 to the Arizona Department of Education to help schools implement these requirements, with priority given to schools where 50% or more of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. School districts and charter schools may accept gifts, grants, and donations to purchase and maintain AEDs.
AAC R4-11-1301–1304
Dental office sedation permits
Required AED and CPR-certified staff for sedation/anesthesia permits
▾
Dentists holding a permit to administer general anesthesia, deep sedation, parenteral sedation, or oral sedation must affirm that their office or clinic maintains a cardiac defibrillator or AED as part of required emergency equipment, alongside items like pulse oximeters and airway equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Arizona require physician oversight for AED programs?+
Yes. ARS 36-2262 requires any person or entity that acquires an AED to enter into an agreement with a licensed physician to oversee the public access defibrillation aspects of the program. This applies regardless of facility type, with limited exemptions under ARS 36-2264.
What must happen after an AED is used in Arizona?+
The trained user must call 911 as soon as possible, and the acquiring entity must submit a written report to the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems within five working days of the AED’s use, per ARS 36-2262.
Who is protected by Arizona’s AED Good Samaritan law?+
ARS 36-2263 protects the overseeing physician, AED trainers, the acquiring entity, the property owner, AED providers, intermediary nonprofits, Good Samaritans, and trained users from civil liability, except for willful misconduct or gross negligence. Manufacturer product liability is not affected.
Are Arizona high schools required to have AEDs?+
Starting August 1, 2026, yes. ARS 15-120.07 requires public high schools that sponsor athletic teams or sports programs to provide AEDs at every campus and athletic event, meet accessibility standards, and train coaches in CPR and AED use.
Do Arizona dental offices need an AED?+
Dental offices that hold a permit for general anesthesia, deep sedation, parenteral sedation, or oral sedation must maintain a cardiac defibrillator or AED as required equipment under the Arizona Administrative Code, along with at least one CPR-certified staff member present during the procedure.
Are state buildings in Arizona required to have AEDs?+
Yes, for buildings constructed or majorly renovated at a cost of $250,000 or more after the statute’s effective date, under ARS 34-401. The state budgets for this placement annually through capital budget appropriations.
Keep your Arizona AED program audit-ready
Arizona’s physician oversight and five-day reporting requirements mean program records need to be organized and accessible at all times. Track maintenance logs, oversight documentation, and post-use reports automatically.
Statutes cited from the Arizona State Legislature and Justia US Law.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, consult a qualified attorney or your state health department.