Florida AED laws: what AED owners need to know

Is an AED required at my organization?

Florida has no general rule that businesses must have an AED. The Cardiac Arrest Survival Act says it "does not require that an automated external defibrillator device be placed at any building or other location" (§ 768.1325(5)). Specific laws do require AEDs at:

• Public schools that are FHSAA members: "Each public school that is a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) must have an operational automated external defibrillator on the school grounds" (§ 1006.165(1)(a)).
• Every public school, including charter schools, by July 1, 2027 (§ 1003.457(3)(a)). Meeting the FHSAA rule does not count as meeting this one.
• Assisted living facilities with 17 or more beds, which must have a functioning AED on the premises at all times (§ 429.255(3)(a)).
• Dental offices, under a Board of Dentistry regulation: "every dental office location shall be required to have an automatic external defibrillator" (R. 64B5-17.015).

Inspection and maintenance

No Florida statute we read sets a check frequency for owners in general. But the immunity that protects an organization that makes an AED available does not apply if the harm was due to its failure to "properly maintain and test the device" (§ 768.1325(3)(a)). The law does not define "properly."

Public schools have a clearer rule: they "must maintain the defibrillator according to the manufacturer's recommendations and maintain all verification records for such defibrillators" (§ 1003.457(3)(a)).

Florida also makes it a first-degree misdemeanor to intentionally or willfully disable an AED, except while it is being serviced, tested, repaired, recharged or inspected, or under a court order. That paragraph does not apply to the owner or the owner's agent (§ 401.2915(3)).

CPR and AED training

For the public, training is encouraged, not required: AED users "are encouraged to obtain appropriate training" including CPR and demonstrated AED proficiency (§ 401.2915(2)(a)).

Training matters for an owner's immunity. If an employee uses the AED, the owner's immunity can depend on having given that employee appropriate training, unless the device has audible, visual or written instructions, the employee was not reasonably expected to use it, or there was not enough time to train (§ 768.1325(3)(b)).

Schools have firm rules. At FHSAA schools, a trained employee or volunteer must be present at every athletic contest, practice, workout and conditioning session (§ 1006.165(1)(b)). At all public schools, "appropriate school staff" must be trained in first aid, CPR and AED use (§ 1003.457(3)(b)).

Physician oversight

The Florida sections we read do not require a prescription, a supervising physician or medical direction for an organization that owns an AED.

Separately from state law, many AED models are sold on a prescription under FDA labeling; your supplier can tell you.

Registering the AED with EMS

Owners are encouraged, not required, to notify "the local emergency medical services medical director or the local public safety answering point" (the 911 center) of the AED's location (§ 401.2915(2)(b)). Assisted living facilities are encouraged to notify the local EMS medical director (§ 429.255(3)(b)).

For schools it is required: each AED's location "must be registered with a local emergency medical services medical director" (§ 1003.457(3)(c); § 1006.165(1)(c)).

After the AED is used

"Any person who uses an automated external defibrillator shall activate the emergency medical services system as soon as possible upon use" (§ 401.2915(2)(c)). This duty is on the person who uses the AED. We found no other after-use report that owners must file.

Signs and placement

School AEDs must be "available in a clearly marked and publicized location" (§ 1003.457(3)(a)). FHSAA schools must also tell trained staff in writing each year where every AED is (§ 1006.165(1)(c)). We found no general signage rule for other owners.

Good Samaritan immunity

Under the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act, a person who uses or tries to use an AED on someone in a perceived medical emergency, without the victim's objection, is immune from civil liability for resulting harm. A person or organization that acquired the AED and makes it available is also immune, if the harm was not due to a failure to properly maintain and test it or to train employees as described above (§ 768.1325(3)).

Immunity does not apply to harm caused by willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless disregard or misconduct, or conscious, flagrant indifference to the victim's rights or safety; to licensed or certified health professionals using the AED within the scope of their license; to hospitals and clinics for their staff's use; to someone who leases or otherwise provides the AED for pay to a health care provider, for that provider's staff's use; or to the manufacturer (§ 768.1325(4)).

Florida's general Good Samaritan Act also protects anyone who, without pay and in good faith, gives emergency care at the scene of an emergency outside a hospital, doctor's office or other place with proper medical equipment, without the victim's objection, if they act as a reasonably prudent person would (§ 768.13(2)(a)).

What this means for your AED program

• Keeping a dated record of each AED check and service isn't required by the statute, but owner immunity depends on proper maintenance and testing (§ 768.1325(3)(a)), and a record shows it was done.
• Follow the manufacturer's maintenance recommendations and keep the records if you are a public school (§ 1003.457(3)(a)).
• Consider telling your local EMS medical director or the local public safety answering point (the 911 center) where your AED is (§ 401.2915(2)(b)); public schools must register each AED's location (§ 1003.457(3)(c)).
• Keep a list of the employees you expect to use the AED and their training dates. Training them isn't required by the statute, but owner immunity can depend on having trained them (§ 768.1325(3)(b)).

Sources

All read on 2026-11-13, except § 768.13, read on 2026-11-14.

• Fla. Stat. § 401.2915, Automated external defibrillators (statute): https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/401.2915
• Fla. Stat. § 768.1325, Cardiac Arrest Survival Act (statute): https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/768.1325
• Fla. Stat. § 768.13, Good Samaritan Act (statute): https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/768.13
• Fla. Stat. § 768.1326, AEDs in state buildings (statute): https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/768.1326
• Fla. Stat. § 1006.165, Extracurricular activities (statute): https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/1006.165
• Fla. Stat. § 1003.457, AEDs on school grounds (statute, added by ch. 2025-67): https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/1003.457
• Fla. Stat. § 429.255, Assisted living facilities (statute): https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/429.255
• Fla. Admin. Code R. 64B5-17.015, Office Safety Requirement (regulation): https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=64B5-17.015

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FAQ

Are AEDs required in Florida workplaces?

Not in general. The Cardiac Arrest Survival Act says it does not require an AED at any building or location (§ 768.1325(5)). Requirements apply to certain schools, assisted living facilities with 17 or more beds and dental offices.

Do Florida schools have to have an AED?

Public schools do. FHSAA-member public schools must already have one on school grounds (§ 1006.165(1)(a)), and every public school, including charter schools, must have at least one by July 1, 2027 (§ 1003.457(3)(a)). These sections do not cover private schools.

Do I need a doctor's prescription to own an AED in Florida?

The Florida statutes we read do not require one for an organization that owns an AED. Separately from state law, many AED models are sold on a prescription under FDA labeling; your supplier can tell you.

Am I protected if I use an AED in Florida?

Generally yes. A person who uses an AED in a perceived emergency, without the victim's objection, is immune from civil liability, except in cases such as gross negligence or willful misconduct (§ 768.1325).