Washington AED requirements at a glance
Here is what Washington 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 have it maintained and tested, following the manufacturer's operating guidelines (RCW 70.54.310(2)(b)). |
| Train expected users | Yes | The acquirer must make sure expected users get reasonable CPR and AED instruction through a Department of Health-approved course (RCW 70.54.310(2)(a)). |
| Notify agencies of AEDs | Yes | Through AED placement reporting: see that row. |
| Register the program | No | Not in state law. |
| Report AED locations | Yes | The acquirer must tell the local EMS organization that it has an AED and where the AED is (RCW 70.54.310(2)(d)). |
| Physician medical direction | Yes | When it acquires an AED, the acquirer must enlist medical direction from a licensed physician on AED use and CPR. The 1998 text is still in force with no later amendment (RCW 70.54.310(2)(c)). About medical direction |
| Report each AED use | No | No routine report of each use. |
| Written plan or records | No | Not in state law. |
| Call 911 when an AED is used | Yes | The acquirer must make sure the person who uses the AED calls 911 or the local equivalent as soon as possible after using it (RCW 70.54.310(2)(e)). |
| School cardiac emergency plan | No | No school plan is required. |
| Other requirements | Yes | After an emergency use, the user must make sure follow-up data is given to EMS or other health care providers when they request it (RCW 70.54.310(2)(e)). |
| AEDs required at specific sites | Yes | Health clubs, some worksites and some dental offices. See the list below. |
Compare nearby states: Idaho, Oregon, Montana and California, or see every state on the AED laws by state table.
Is medical direction required in Washington?
Yes. Washington law requires a physician (or another licensed practitioner it names) to be involved in an AED program.
When it acquires an AED, the acquirer must enlist medical direction from a licensed physician on AED use and CPR. The 1998 text is still in force with no later amendment (RCW 70.54.310(2)(c))
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
Yes. Washington law requires CPR and AED training for the people expected to use an AED.
The acquirer must make sure expected users get reasonable CPR and AED instruction through a Department of Health-approved course (RCW 70.54.310(2)(a)).
Fitness centers must instruct their staff the same way (RCW 70.54.315(2)).
High-voltage employers must have at least two employees per site trained within the past two years (RCW 49.17.510(1)(c))
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. Washington law requires AED owners to keep each AED maintained and tested.
Anyone who acquires an AED must have it maintained and tested, following the manufacturer's operating guidelines (RCW 70.54.310(2)(b)).
Fitness centers must follow the same rule (RCW 70.54.315(2)).
Employers doing high-voltage work must also do regular maintenance and an annual inspection (RCW 49.17.510; WAC 296-45-125(4))
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
Yes. Washington requires AED owners to tell EMS, or another agency the law names, that they have an AED and where it is.
Placement reporting: The acquirer must tell the local EMS organization that it has an AED and where the AED is (RCW 70.54.310(2)(d)). Fitness centers must do the same (RCW 70.54.315(2)).
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. Washington law requires the person who uses an AED to call 911 or notify EMS.
Calling 911: The acquirer must make sure the person who uses the AED calls 911 or the local equivalent as soon as possible after using it (RCW 70.54.310(2)(e)).
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.
Other Washington AED rules
After an emergency use, the user must make sure follow-up data is given to EMS or other health care providers when they request it (RCW 70.54.310(2)(e))
AEDs required at specific locations in Washington
Yes. Washington law requires AEDs at three kinds of sites.
- Fitness centers that sell memberships (since June 6, 2024; schools, colleges and some nonprofits are exempt) RCW 70.54.315
- High-voltage line work sites (when two or more employees work on or near the lines; since January 1, 2025) RCW 49.17.510
- Dental offices that give any anesthetic (an AED or manual defibrillator within reach in 60 seconds) WAC 246-817-722
Does Washington's Good Samaritan law protect AED users?
Yes, with conditions. Washington 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 Washington (WA) Good Samaritan law covers: Anyone who gives emergency care at the scene without pay or expecting pay is not liable for damages unless grossly negligent or willful or wanton; people paid to give such care in their regular job are not covered. School district employees who are not nurses are protected the same way at official school activities.
AED-specific protection: A person who uses an AED at an emergency is immune from civil claims unless grossly negligent or willful or wanton, and a Good Samaritan user does not have to meet the acquirer duties. The AED's owner is not named, but it is covered as one of the persons and entities providing services under the AED law.
Statutes and sources
Every answer on this page comes from these laws, read on Washington’s official legislature or code website.
- RCW 70.54.310: Semiautomatic external defibrillator: duty of acquirer, immunity from civil liability
- RCW 70.54.315: Fitness centers
- RCW 4.24.300: Immunity from liability for certain types of medical care (Good Samaritan)
- RCW 49.17.510: High voltage lines and equipment: automated external defibrillators
- WAC 296-45-125(4): Electrical workers: medical services and first aid (AED rule, effective Jan. 1, 2025)
- WAC 296-32-22515(7): Telecommunications: first aid (AED rule, effective Jan. 1, 2025)
- RCW 28A.300.471: Medical emergency response and automated external defibrillator program (OSPI guidance for high schools)
- RCW 28A.230.179: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation instruction (high school)
- WAC 246-817-722: Dental Quality Assurance Commission: defibrillator
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 Washington
AED Log keeps the records Washington 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)
- 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.
Washington AED laws FAQ
Are businesses required to have an AED in Washington?
Only certain kinds. Washington law requires AEDs at health clubs, high-voltage line work sites and some dental offices. Other businesses aren’t required to have one by Washington law, and federal OSHA has no AED standard.
Where does Washington law require an AED?
Washington law requires AEDs in health clubs, high-voltage line work sites and some dental offices. See the full list, with each statute, on this page.
Do you need medical direction for an AED in Washington?
Yes. When it acquires an AED, the acquirer must enlist medical direction from a licensed physician on AED use and CPR. The 1998 text is still in force with no later amendment (RCW 70.54.310(2)(c)).
Is AED training required in Washington?
Yes. The acquirer must make sure expected users get reasonable CPR and AED instruction through a Department of Health-approved course. Fitness centers must instruct their staff the same way. High-voltage employers must have at least two employees per site trained within the past two years.
Does Washington law require AED inspections?
Yes. Anyone who acquires an AED must have it maintained and tested, following the manufacturer's operating guidelines. Fitness centers must follow the same rule. Employers doing high-voltage work must also do regular maintenance and an annual inspection.
Do you have to register an AED in Washington?
There’s no formal registration, but you must report the AED. The acquirer must tell the local EMS organization that it has an AED and where the AED is (RCW 70.54.310(2)(d)). Fitness centers must do the same (RCW 70.54.315(2)).
What does Washington law require after an AED is used?
The acquirer must make sure the person who uses the AED calls 911 or the local equivalent as soon as possible after using it (RCW 70.54.310(2)(e)).
Are AEDs required in Washington schools?
No. Washington law doesn’t require AEDs in schools or at school sports.
Do gyms in Washington need an AED?
Washington law requires AEDs at fitness centers that sell memberships (since June 6, 2024; schools, colleges and some nonprofits are exempt).
Do dental offices in Washington need an AED?
Washington law requires AEDs at dental offices that give any anesthetic (an AED or manual defibrillator within reach in 60 seconds).
What does the Washington Good Samaritan law cover?
Anyone who gives emergency care at the scene without pay or expecting pay is not liable for damages unless grossly negligent or willful or wanton; people paid to give such care in their regular job are not covered.
Does the Washington Good Samaritan law protect someone who uses an AED?
Yes, with conditions. Any user at an emergency is protected, but the owner is covered only as an entity providing services under the AED law, whose duties are training, maintenance, physician direction and EMS notice (RCW 70.54.310(2)-(4)).
Which Washington laws cover AEDs?
Washington’s AED rules come from RCW 70.54.310, RCW 70.54.315, RCW 4.24.300, RCW 49.17.510, WAC 296-45-125(4), WAC 296-32-22515(7), RCW 28A.300.471, RCW 28A.230.179 and WAC 246-817-722, each linked to its official text on this page.