EMS Laws & Regulations

South Dakota EMS Laws & Regulations

Click the links below to view South Dakota Codified Law or Administrative Rule related to Emergency Medical Services:

• Ambulance Services SDCL 34-11 - Defines the licensing and regulation of ambulance services applicable to; license application, driver and attendant certification, trip records, and gives authority to promulgate rules pertaining to the operation of ambulance services, etc.
• Ambulance Districts SDCL 34-11A - Defines the process of establishing and maintaining an Ambulance District.
• EMS Laws SDCL 22-46-9 Defines mandatory reporting of abuse.
• SDCL 26-8A-3 - Persons required to report child abuse or neglected child.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/Do Not Resuscitate Orders SDCL 34-12F - Defines terms and criteria for DNR Directives.
• ARSD 44:05 - Defines operational requirements of an ambulance service.
• ARSD 44:05:01 - Defines terms used in 44:05
• ARSD 44:05:02 - Fees and compliance with rules, expiration and renewal of licenses, revocation or suspension of license and license display.****
• ARSD 44:05:03 - Personnel Requirements - defines driver and attendant requirements, response times, ambulance inspections, and safety restraints.
• ARSD 44:05:04 - Vehicle Requirements - defines types of permitted vehicles, equipment and radio requirements, and disinfection and/or disposal requirements.
• ARSD 44:05:05 - Air Ambulances - defines the criteria and certificates for aircraft along with required equipment support equipment.
• ARSD 44:05:06 - Advanced directives regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation, also known as Do Not Resuscitate orders.

Advanced Life Support

• South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners
• Advanced Life Support SDCL 36-4B - Defines licensing and regulation of Advanced Life Support applicable to educational programs, license applications, student status, permitted practices, immunity, and professional conduct; and gives authority to promulgate rules pertaining to advanced life support programs.
• ARSD 20:61 - Defines application process and content of Advanced Life Support (ALS) personnel.
• South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners Administrative rules - ARSD 20:78
  • 20:78:02 - Application Procedures
  • 20:78:04 - Complaint Procedures
  • 20:78:05 - Contested Case Hearing Procedures

Guidance Released for LPNs and RNs Providing EMS Care

New Guidance

Emergency Services Provided by LPNs and RNs
The South Dakota Board of Nursing (BON), the South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners (BMOE), and the South Dakota Office of Rural Health and Emergency Services worked together over the summer to develop new guidance that clarifies the roles and responsibilities of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) when providing emergency medical services in ambulance and prehospital settings.
 
This guidance was approved by the Board of Nursing on November 4, 2025, and provides direction for nurses and agencies involved in emergency and prehospital care. It responds to discussions held during the interim summer study and is expected to be of interest during the upcoming legislative session.

If you have questions about how this applies to your agency, practice setting, credentialing, or operations, please contact either the South Dakota Board of Nursing or the Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners.