# 2026-02288: Registering Emergency Medical Services Agencies Under the Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017 2026-02288, Registering Emergency Medical Services Agencies Under the Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017, is a Federal Register rule from Justice Department, Drug Enforcement Administration published 2026-02-05, effective 2026-03-09; deemed significant under Executive Order 12866 (as of 2026-06-11). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-02288 - As of: 2026-06-11 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-02288 - Title: Registering Emergency Medical Services Agencies Under the Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017 - Type: Rule - Agencies: Justice Department; Drug Enforcement Administration - Citation: 91 FR 5216 - Published: 2026-02-05 - Effective: 2026-03-09 - Comments close: not stated - Significant: yes (FR_METADATA) - Touches household money: no - Regulation identifier numbers: 1117-AB37 - Last updated: 2026-06-11 ## Summary Starting March 9, 2026, emergency medical services (EMS) agencies must register under new rules that make it easier and safer to handle emergency medicines like controlled substances. These changes let EMS pros give important meds without a doctor right there, while keeping better track of storage and delivery. This update affects EMS agencies nationwide and helps patients get faster, safer care without extra costs. ## Abstract The "Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017," (the Act) which became law on November 17, 2017, amended the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to allow for a new registration category for emergency medical services agencies that handle controlled substances. It also established standards for registering emergency medical services agencies, and set forth new requirements for delivery, storage, and recordkeeping related to their handling of controlled substances. In addition, the Act allows emergency medical services professionals to administer controlled substances outside the physical presence of a medical director or authorizing medical professional pursuant to a valid standing or verbal order. The Drug Enforcement Administration is publishing this final rule to conform its regulations to the statutory amendments of the CSA and to otherwise implement its requirements. This final rule adopts, with minor modifications, the notice of proposed rulemaking published on October 5, 2020. ## Effects PRIA read - New State-Level EMS Registration: benefit, medium. If you run or operate an EMS agency, the rule creates a new DEA registration category for EMS agencies and lets an agency obtain a single DEA registration for each State in which it operates instead of registering each separate location. The rule also requires an EMS agency to be registered in ever… - EMS Can Administer Controlled Drugs Without Doctor Present: benefit, high. Starting March 9, 2026, emergency medical services professionals of a registered EMS agency may administer controlled substances in Schedules II–V outside the physical presence of a medical director if State law allows and the administration is done pursuant to valid standing or verbal orders. This… - Storage, Locking, and Vehicle Security Rules: mixed, low. The rule requires registered EMS agencies to store controlled substances in a securely locked, substantially constructed cabinet or safe or an automated dispensing machine, and EMS vehicles storing controlled substances must be locked when parked outside an enclosed registered or designated locatio… - Jump Bags and Carrying During Active Response: benefit, medium. The rule allows EMS personnel to carry controlled substances on their person or in a jump bag while they are actively responding to an emergency, and such items are not treated as 'stored' during that active response. Controlled substances carried this way must be returned to approved secure storag… - Recordkeeping ID Rule Made Flexible: benefit, low. If your EMS agency keeps records of controlled substance administrations, the rule requires records to reflect the last name or initials (not mandatory personal initials) of the person who administered the drug, the medical director or authorizing professional, the person who disposed of a drug, an… - Licensing and Restock Flexibility: mixed, low. The rule requires EMS personnel who administer controlled substances to be licensed or certified by the State in which they practice. The rule also allows EMS vehicles to restock controlled substances at hospitals other than the hospital whose registration the EMS vehicle is using, provided the res… ## Related documents - [2026-11526](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-11526): Implementation of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention That Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act of 201…, 2026-06-09 - [2026-10128](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-10128): Revision of Applications for Manufacturing and Procurement Quotas, 2026-05-20 - [2025-05007](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-05007): Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter and Continuity of Care via Telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients, 2025-03-24 - [2025-02793](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-02793): Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter and Continuity of Care via Telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients, 2025-02-19 - [2026-20749](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20749): Vladimir Romaniv, P.A.; Decision and Order, 2026-10-09 - [2026-20750](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20750): L Krenk DBA Maui Clinic Pharmacy; Decision and Order, 2026-10-09 ## Sources - [2026-02288 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/05/2026-02288/registering-emergency-medical-services-agencies-under-the-protecting-patient-access-to-emergency) - [2026-02288 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-05/pdf/2026-02288.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-02284, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Ves…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-02284) - [Next: 2026-02290, Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of America; 2026 Commercial Accountability Measur…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-02290) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-02288 (as of 2026-06-11).