Arizona AED requirements at a glance
Here is what Arizona 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 acquires an AED must keep it in good working order and test it as the manufacturer directs (A.R.S. § 36-2262(4)). |
| Train expected users | Limited | No general rule. The AED law defines a 'trained user' but never requires owners to train anyone (A.R.S. § 36-2261(4)). |
| Notify agencies of AEDs | No | Not in state law. |
| Register the program | No | Not in state law. |
| Report AED locations | No | Not in state law. |
| Physician medical direction | Yes | Anyone who acquires an AED must sign an agreement with a physician licensed in Arizona (MD or DO) who oversees its public access defibrillation program (A.R.S. §§ 36-2261(3), 36-2262(1)). About medical direction |
| Report each AED use | Yes | After each use, the acquirer must send a written report to the state Department of Health Services (its EMS and trauma bureau) within five working days (A.R.S. § 36-2262(3)). |
| Written plan or records | No | Not in state law. |
| Call 911 when an AED is used | Yes | The acquirer must require every trained user who uses the AED on someone in cardiac arrest to call 911 as soon as possible. The rule names trained users only (A.R.S. § 36-2262(2)). |
| School cardiac emergency plan | No | No law requires school cardiac emergency response plans. SB 1131 (2026), first titled as a school cardiac plan bill, was held in the House. |
| Other requirements | Limited | Public high schools with sports programs must keep each required AED unlocked, clearly marked and easy to reach during the school day and at athletic events, in a spot where it can be grabbed and used quickly (A.R.S. § 15-120.07(B)(2)(a)-(b)). |
| AEDs required at specific sites | Yes | Schools, school sports and some government buildings. See the list below. |
Compare nearby states: California, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico, or see every state on the AED laws by state table.
Is medical direction required in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona law requires a physician (or another licensed practitioner it names) to be involved in an AED program.
Anyone who acquires an AED must sign an agreement with a physician licensed in Arizona (MD or DO) who oversees its public access defibrillation program (A.R.S. §§ 36-2261(3), 36-2262(1)).
AED Log’s Medical Direction add-on covers this for $65 per AED per year, on top of your plan: a licensed physician oversees the program, AED Log handles the paperwork, and each covered AED shows that it’s covered.
Training requirements
Only in certain settings. Arizona doesn’t require training for AED owners in general, but the law names some settings that must train people.
No general rule. The AED law defines a 'trained user' but never requires owners to train anyone (A.R.S. § 36-2261(4)).
From August 1, 2027, every public school campus needs at least one employee there during school hours trained in CPR and first aid, and in AED use if the campus has an AED (A.R.S. § 15-120.07(A)).
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. Arizona law requires AED owners to keep each AED maintained and tested.
Anyone who acquires an AED must keep it in good working order and test it as the manufacturer directs (A.R.S. § 36-2262(4)).
High schools covered by the school AED law must do the same for those AEDs (A.R.S. § 15-120.07(B)(2)(d)).
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
No. Arizona law doesn’t require AED owners to register their AEDs or report where they are.
Telling your local EMS agency about your AEDs is still worth doing: some 911 centers can direct a caller to the nearest one. AED Log’s document library keeps registrations, letters and notices with the AEDs they cover.
Notification after an AED is used
Yes. In Arizona, the rescuer must call 911, and each use has to be reported.
Calling 911: The acquirer must require every trained user who uses the AED on someone in cardiac arrest to call 911 as soon as possible. The rule names trained users only (A.R.S. § 36-2262(2)).
Reporting the use: After each use, the acquirer must send a written report to the state Department of Health Services (its EMS and trauma bureau) within five working days (A.R.S. § 36-2262(3)).
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 Arizona
Yes. Arizona law requires AEDs at three kinds of sites.
- Every public high school campus with a sports program (since August 1, 2026) A.R.S. § 15-120.07 (added by Laws 2025, ch. 242; amended by Laws 2026, ch. 213)
- Athletic events at those high schools (since August 1, 2026) A.R.S. § 15-120.07 (added by Laws 2025, ch. 242; amended by Laws 2026, ch. 213)
- State buildings that are new or get a major renovation (renovations of $250,000 or more) A.R.S. § 34-401
See AEDs in schools by state to compare, and our cardiac emergency response plan template for a starting point.
Other Arizona AED rules
Public high schools with sports programs must keep each required AED unlocked, clearly marked and easy to reach during the school day and at athletic events, in a spot where it can be grabbed and used quickly (A.R.S. § 15-120.07(B)(2)(a)-(b)).
Does Arizona's Good Samaritan law protect AED users?
Yes. Under Arizona law, anyone using an AED in good faith is protected, and so is the AED’s owner, with only the usual exceptions.
What the Arizona (AZ) Good Samaritan law covers: Arizona's general Good Samaritan law protects licensed health care providers, ambulance crews and any other person who gives emergency care for free and in good faith at a public gathering or emergency scene. It does not cover gross negligence (A.R.S. § 32-1471).
AED-specific protection: Anyone who uses an AED in good faith without being paid at an emergency is protected, and so is any trained user. The person or entity that acquired the AED, the property owner, the overseeing physician and trainers are also protected. None of them is shielded for wilful misconduct or gross negligence.
Statutes and sources
Every answer on this page comes from these laws, read on Arizona’s official legislature or code website.
- A.R.S. § 36-2261: Automated external defibrillators: definitions
- A.R.S. § 36-2262: Automated external defibrillators; use; requirements
- A.R.S. § 36-2263: Civil liability; limited immunity; Good Samaritan
- A.R.S. § 36-2264: Exemption from regulation
- A.R.S. § 32-1471: Health care providers; other persons; emergency aid; nonliability (general Good Samaritan law)
- A.R.S. § 15-120.07 (added by Laws 2025, ch. 242; amended by Laws 2026, ch. 213): School employee training; high school sports; automatic external defibrillators; definitions
- Laws 2025, ch. 242 (SB 1744): 2025-2026; K-12 education (added § 15-120.07)
- Laws 2026, ch. 213 (HB 4043), approved June 19, 2026: Training; AEDs; CPR; school personnel (amended § 15-120.07)
- A.R.S. § 34-401: New and renovated state buildings; automated external defibrillators
- Ariz. Admin. Code R4-11-1301 to R4-11-1304: Board of Dental Examiners: general anesthesia, deep sedation, parenteral sedation, oral sedation and anesthesiologist/CRNA permits
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 Arizona
AED Log keeps the records Arizona 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)
- Physician medical direction for $65 per AED per year (Medical Direction)
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.
Arizona AED laws FAQ
Are businesses required to have an AED in Arizona?
No. Arizona law requires AEDs only at schools, school sports and some government buildings, not at businesses in general, and federal OSHA has no AED standard.
Where does Arizona law require an AED?
Arizona law requires AEDs in schools, school sports and some government buildings. See the full list, with each statute, on this page.
Do you need medical direction for an AED in Arizona?
Yes. Anyone who acquires an AED must sign an agreement with a physician licensed in Arizona (MD or DO) who oversees its public access defibrillation program (A.R.S. §§ 36-2261(3), 36-2262(1)).
Is AED training required in Arizona?
Only in certain settings. The AED law defines a 'trained user' but never requires owners to train anyone. From August 1, 2027, every public school campus needs at least one employee there during school hours trained in CPR and first aid, and in AED use if the campus has an AED.
Does Arizona law require AED inspections?
Yes. Anyone who acquires an AED must keep it in good working order and test it as the manufacturer directs (A.R.S. § 36-2262(4)). High schools covered by the school AED law must do the same for those AEDs (A.R.S. § 15-120.07(B)(2)(d)).
Do you have to register an AED in Arizona?
No. Arizona law doesn’t require AED owners to register an AED or report where it is. Telling your local EMS agency is still worth doing: some 911 centers can direct a caller to the nearest AED.
What does Arizona law require after an AED is used?
The acquirer must require every trained user who uses the AED on someone in cardiac arrest to call 911 as soon as possible. The rule names trained users only (A.R.S. § 36-2262(2)).
Are AEDs required in Arizona schools?
Arizona law requires AEDs at every public high school campus with a sports program (since August 1, 2026), plus athletic events at those high schools (since August 1, 2026).
Do gyms in Arizona need an AED?
No. Arizona law doesn’t require health clubs or gyms to have an AED.
Do government facilities in Arizona need an AED?
Arizona law requires AEDs at state buildings that are new or get a major renovation (renovations of $250,000 or more).
What does the Arizona Good Samaritan law cover?
Arizona's general Good Samaritan law protects licensed health care providers, ambulance crews and any other person who gives emergency care for free and in good faith at a public gathering or emergency scene. It does not cover gross negligence (A.R.S. § 32-1471).
Does the Arizona Good Samaritan law protect someone who uses an AED?
Yes. Any unpaid good-faith AED user, any trained user, the AED's acquirer and the property owner are protected unless the act is wilful misconduct or gross negligence (A.R.S. § 36-2263).
Which Arizona laws cover AEDs?
Arizona’s AED rules come from A.R.S. § 36-2261; A.R.S. § 36-2262; A.R.S. § 36-2263; A.R.S. § 36-2264; A.R.S. § 32-1471; A.R.S. § 15-120.07 (added by Laws 2025, ch. 242; amended by Laws 2026, ch. 213); Laws 2025, ch. 242 (SB 1744); and three more, each linked to its official text on this page.