Ohio AED requirements at a glance
Here is what Ohio law asks of an AED program, row by row, with the statute behind each answer.
| Requirement | Required? | What the law says |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect and maintain AEDs | Yes | Anyone who possesses an AED must maintain and test it according to the manufacturer's guidelines (R.C. 3701.85(B)(2)). The AED immunity law does not make this a condition of immunity. |
| Train expected users | Limited | Required only in named settings: district teachers, principals, administrators, coaches and athletic trainers at least every five years; assigned staff at chartered nonpublic and community schools; enough staff at covered local sports and recreation sites (R.C. 3313.6023, 3313.717, 3314.16, 755.13). |
| Notify agencies of AEDs | Encouraged | Through AED placement reporting: see that row. |
| Register the program | No | Not in state law. |
| Report AED locations | Encouraged | State law recommends, but does not require, that anyone who possesses an AED tell an emergency medical services organization where it is (R.C. 3701.85(C)). |
| Physician medical direction | No | Not in state law. |
| Report each AED use | No | Not in state law. |
| Written plan or records | Limited | No general rule. |
| Call 911 when an AED is used | Yes | Anyone who uses an AED must make a good-faith effort to activate EMS, or have someone else do it, as soon as possible, unless working within an EMS system or a hospital. A user who makes no good-faith attempt loses the AED immunity (R.C. 3701.85(D); 2305.235(D)). |
| School cardiac emergency plan | Yes | Since October 24, 2024, every public school district board, chartered nonpublic school authority and community school governing authority must adopt an emergency action plan for using AEDs. Schools may use the Department of Health's model plan, which calls for practicing the plan at least quarterly (R.C. 3313.717(B)(3), 3314.16(B), 3701.851). |
| Other requirements | No | Not in state law. |
| AEDs required at specific sites | Yes | Schools and youth sports. See the list below. |
Compare nearby states: Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia, or see every state on the AED laws by state table.
Is medical direction required in Ohio?
No. Ohio law doesn’t require a physician to oversee an AED program.
Some programs choose a medical director anyway, for example to write the response protocol or review each use. If you want one, AED Log’s Medical Direction add-on is $65 per AED per year.
Training requirements
Only in certain settings. Ohio doesn’t require training for AED owners in general, but the law names some settings that must train people.
Required only in named settings: district teachers, principals, administrators, coaches and athletic trainers at least every five years; assigned staff at chartered nonpublic and community schools; enough staff at covered local sports and recreation sites (R.C. 3313.6023, 3313.717, 3314.16, 755.13).
Other AED possessors must only encourage expected users to take a course (R.C. 3701.85).
Training still matters: an AED talks the rescuer through each step, but people who have practiced start CPR sooner and hesitate less. Keep each responder’s card current, since most CPR and AED cards last two years. See how long CPR and AED certification lasts.
Inspection and maintenance
Yes. Ohio law requires AED owners to keep each AED maintained and tested.
Anyone who possesses an AED must maintain and test it according to the manufacturer's guidelines (R.C. 3701.85(B)(2)). The AED immunity law does not make this a condition of immunity.
Written plan and records: No general rule. Public school district boards, chartered nonpublic schools, community schools and covered local sports and recreation sites must adopt an AED emergency action plan, which may follow the Department of Health's model (R.C. 3313.717, 3314.16, 755.13, 3701.851).
In practice, that means check the status indicator, the pads’ and battery’s expiration dates and the cabinet on a regular schedule, replace anything used or expired, and keep a dated record of each check. Our AED inspection requirements guide covers the routine, and the free AED inspection checklist is a printable version.
EMS notification, registration and placement reporting
Only in some cases. Ohio doesn’t require every AED owner to register or report AED locations.
Placement reporting: State law recommends, but does not require, that anyone who possesses an AED tell an emergency medical services organization where it is (R.C. 3701.85(C)).
Keep the confirmation with your program records, and update it when an AED moves or is replaced. AED Log’s document library keeps registrations, letters and notices with the AEDs they cover.
Notification after an AED is used
Yes. Ohio law requires the person who uses an AED to call 911 or notify EMS.
Calling 911: Anyone who uses an AED must make a good-faith effort to activate EMS, or have someone else do it, as soon as possible, unless working within an EMS system or a hospital. A user who makes no good-faith attempt loses the AED immunity (R.C. 3701.85(D); 2305.235(D)).
After any use, replace the pads, check the AED and its rescue kit, and write down what happened while it’s fresh. AED Log’s incident reports record whether a shock was advised, how many were delivered, whether CPR was given and when EMS arrived.
AEDs required at specific locations in Ohio
Yes. Ohio law requires AEDs at four kinds of sites.
- Each school under a public school district board (city, local, exempted village or joint vocational district) Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.717
- Each chartered nonpublic school Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.717
- Each community (charter) school (Internet- or computer-based community schools are exempt.) Ohio Rev. Code § 3314.16
- Local government sports and recreation sites (recreation centers, gyms, pools and fields) (while hosting an organized youth sport activity; small villages and townships are exempt) Ohio Rev. Code § 755.13(D)-(E)
School cardiac emergency plans: Since October 24, 2024, every public school district board, chartered nonpublic school authority and community school governing authority must adopt an emergency action plan for using AEDs. Schools may use the Department of Health's model plan, which calls for practicing the plan at least quarterly (R.C. 3313.717(B)(3), 3314.16(B), 3701.851).
See AEDs in schools by state to compare, and our cardiac emergency response plan template for a starting point.
Does Ohio's Good Samaritan law protect AED users?
Yes, with conditions. Ohio protects people who use an AED in good faith, but some of that protection depends on the AED program meeting the law’s duties.
What the Ohio (OH) Good Samaritan law covers: Anyone who gives emergency care at an emergency outside a hospital, doctor's office or other place with proper medical equipment can’t be held liable for civil damages unless the acts are willful or wanton misconduct. It does not cover care given for pay or an expectation of pay, though care by paid police officers and firefighters as part of their duties is not treated as paid care.
AED-specific protection: A person who uses an AED in good faith is shielded from civil and criminal liability, trained or not, unless the conduct is willful or wanton or no good-faith attempt is made to activate EMS. People who acquire an AED, own or manage the premises, run the program, train users or prescribe the device are shielded from civil damages except for willful or wanton misconduct, with no maintenance or other conditions.
Statutes and sources
Every answer on this page comes from these laws, read on Ohio’s official legislature or code website.
- Ohio Rev. Code § 3701.85: Automated external defibrillator - requirements for use
- Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.235: Immunity of person involved with providing automated external defibrillation
- Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.23: Liability for emergency care
- Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.717: Placement of automated external defibrillator in schools; staff training; qualified immunity
- Ohio Rev. Code § 3314.16: Placement of automatic external defibrillator in schools - staff training - qualified immunity (community schools)
- Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.6023: AED training for school district employees
- Ohio Rev. Code § 3701.851: Development of model emergency action plan
- Ohio Rev. Code § 755.13(D)-(E): Supervision and maintenance of recreation facilities (sports and recreation location AEDs)
- Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.6021: CPR and AED instruction in high schools
Last reviewed against each statute on the state’s official website. This is a plain-language summary for general information, not legal advice. Laws change, so read the statute or ask a lawyer before you rely on it.
Managing a compliant AED program in Ohio
AED Log keeps the records Ohio law asks for, and reminds you before anything lapses.
- Monthly AED inspections on a phone, with a dated record of every check (inspection tracking)
- Pad and battery expiration dates, with a warning before each one (expiration tracking)
- Responders’ CPR and AED cards, with an alert before each expires (certification tracking)
- A report for every AED use, so the details are on record (incident reporting)
- Registrations, EMS notices and your written plan, filed with the AEDs they cover (document management)
Plans start at $114 a year for one AED, with unlimited users and locations. Start a free trial (no credit card) or talk to us.
Ohio AED laws FAQ
Are businesses required to have an AED in Ohio?
No. Ohio law requires AEDs only at schools and youth sports, not at businesses in general, and federal OSHA has no AED standard.
Where does Ohio law require an AED?
Ohio law requires AEDs in schools and youth sports. See the full list, with each statute, on this page.
Do you need medical direction for an AED in Ohio?
No. Ohio law doesn’t require a physician to oversee an AED program. You can still choose one: AED Log’s Medical Direction add-on is $65 per AED per year.
Is AED training required in Ohio?
Only in certain settings. Required only in named settings: district teachers, principals, administrators, coaches and athletic trainers at least every five years; assigned staff at chartered nonpublic and community schools; enough staff at covered local sports and recreation sites.
Does Ohio law require AED inspections?
Yes. Anyone who possesses an AED must maintain and test it according to the manufacturer's guidelines (R.C. 3701.85(B)(2)). The AED immunity law does not make this a condition of immunity.
Do you have to register an AED in Ohio?
It’s encouraged, not required. State law recommends, but does not require, that anyone who possesses an AED tell an emergency medical services organization where it is (R.C. 3701.85(C)).
What does Ohio law require after an AED is used?
Anyone who uses an AED must make a good-faith effort to activate EMS, or have someone else do it, as soon as possible, unless working within an EMS system or a hospital. A user who makes no good-faith attempt loses the AED immunity (R.C. 3701.85(D); 2305.235(D)).
Are AEDs required in Ohio schools?
Ohio law requires AEDs at each school under a public school district board (city, local, exempted village or joint vocational district); each chartered nonpublic school; and each community (charter) school (internet- or computer-based community schools are exempt).
Do Ohio schools need a cardiac emergency response plan?
Yes. Since October 24, 2024, every public school district board, chartered nonpublic school authority and community school governing authority must adopt an emergency action plan for using AEDs.
Do gyms in Ohio need an AED?
No. Ohio law doesn’t require health clubs or gyms to have an AED.
Are AEDs required at youth sports in Ohio?
Ohio law requires AEDs at local government sports and recreation sites (recreation centers, gyms, pools and fields; while hosting an organized youth sport activity; small villages and townships are exempt).
What does the Ohio Good Samaritan law cover?
Anyone who gives emergency care at an emergency outside a hospital, doctor's office or other place with proper medical equipment can’t be held liable for civil damages unless the acts are willful or wanton misconduct.
Does the Ohio Good Samaritan law protect someone who uses an AED?
Yes, with conditions. A good-faith user, trained or not, and anyone who acquires the AED or owns the premises are protected unless willful or wanton, but a user who makes no good-faith attempt to activate EMS is not (R.C. 2305.235).
Which Ohio laws cover AEDs?
Ohio’s AED rules come from Ohio Rev. Code § 3701.85, Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.235, Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.23, Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.717, Ohio Rev. Code § 3314.16, Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.6023, Ohio Rev. Code § 3701.851 and two more, each linked to its official text on this page.