Rule 511-9-2-.20. Licensure of Emergency Organ Transport Services

1. (1) Applicability

   1. (a) No person shall operate, advertise, or hold themselves out to be an Emergency Organ Transport Service in the state of Georgia without being in compliance with the provisions of O.C.G.A. Chapter 31-11 and these rules and regulations and without being duly licensed by the Department. However, this Rule shall not apply to:

      1. 1. Any ambulance service licensed to operate in Georgia
      2. 2. Any Emergency Organ Transport Service operated by an agency of the United States government.
      3. 3. Any Emergency Organ Transport vehicle licensed in another state and being utilized as mutual aid by a Georgia licensed Emergency Organ Transport Service.
   2. (b) This section is not intended to prevent any transportation service from providing organ or tissue transport services that are not for time-critical transplant procedures and do not require emergency warning devices for transport.
2. (2) Application for a license shall be made to the license officer in the manner and on the forms approved by the Department, to include at a minimum the name, address, email address, and employer identification number of the owner(s).

3. (3) Renewal of License. Renewal of any license issued under the provisions of O.C.G.A. Chapter 31-11 shall require conformance with all the requirements of these rules and regulations as upon original licensing.

   1. (a) Any license not renewed prior to the license expiration date is considered "Lapsed-Failure to Renew" and is not permitted to operate as an Emergency Organ Transport Service. Late renewal is permitted during the three (3) month period immediately following the expiration date for the last license renewal cycle. After that three-month period, and the agency must apply as a new applicant in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

4. (4) Standards for Emergency Organ Transport Vehicles

   1. (a) General:

      1. 1. Registered Emergency Organ Transport Vehicles must be maintained on suitable premises that meet the Department's specifications. The Department is authorized to establish policy to define minimum standards for suitable premises and base of operations.
      2. 2. Emergency Organ Transport Vehicle must be properly equipped, maintained, and operated in accordance with other rules and regulations contained herein. The vehicle must have an appropriate system for ensuring an adequate temperature environment suitable for personnel and organ transport.
      3. 2. Essential equipment for driver and passenger safety and comfort must be in good working order, including approved safety belts for all seats and appropriate restraints for all equipment.
      4. 3. Prior to their use, Emergency Organ Transport Vehicles must be inspected and approved by the Department and so registered by affixing a Department decal at a location specified by the Department.
      5. 4. Prior to disposal by sale or otherwise, an Emergency Organ Transport Vehicle removed from service must be reported to the Department, the Department issued vehicle identification number must be removed, and all emergency warning devices must be removed or deactivated if being sold to a non-licensed EMS agency
      6. 5. All registered Emergency Organ Transport Vehicles shall have on both sides of the vehicle an identification number designated by the Department. The name of the Emergency Organ Transport Service and the vehicle identification number shall be visible on each side of the Emergency Organ Transport Vehicle in at least 3-inch lettering for proper identification.
      7. 6. A paper copy of the emergency organ transport vehicle license or registration must be made immediately available upon request.

   2. (b) Insurance:

      1. 1. Each registered Emergency Organ Transport Vehicle shall have at least $1,000,000 combined single limit (CSL) insurance coverage.
      2. 2. No Emergency Organ Transport Vehicle shall be registered nor shall any registration be renewed unless the Emergency Organ Transport Vehicle has insurance coverage in force as required by this section. A certificate of insurance or satisfactory evidence of self-insurance shall be submitted to the license officer for approval prior to the issuance or renewal of each Emergency Organ Transport Vehicle license. Satisfactory evidence that such insurance is at all times in force and effect shall be furnished to the Department in a manner and on forms specified by the Department, by all licensees required to provide proof of such insurance under this section. Any lapse in insurance coverage will be grounds for immediate revocation of the Emergency Organ Transport Service license.
      3. 3. Emergency Organ Transport Services must maintain a file, as defined in departmental policy, of all maintenance records on each vehicle registered by the Department.
      4. 4. The Emergency Organ Transport Service shall list the Georgia Office of EMS and Trauma as an additional certificate holder for the vehicle insurance with the insurance company.

   3. (c) Fees:

      1. 1. Any fee submitted to the Department that results in insufficient funds will be assessed a non-sufficient fund fee. The returned check fee and non-sufficient fee will be due within two business days by cashier's check.

   4. (d) Communication:

      1. 1. Each registered Emergency Organ Transport Vehicle shall be equipped with a two-way communication system that provides communications:

         1. (i) between the vehicle to pickup location; and
         2. (ii) between the vehicle to receiving facility; and
         3. (iii) between the vehicle to base communications.
   5. (e) Infectious Disease Exposure Control: Emergency Organ Transport Services and Personnel shall comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations in regard to infectious disease exposure control procedures.

   6. (f) Equipment and Supplies:

      1. 1. All equipment and supplies must be maintained in working order and shall be stored in a secure manner to protect the occupant(s) during transport.
      2. 2. The Department shall through policy establish the minimum vehicle standards, equipment and supplies required of each Emergency Organ Transport Vehicle.
      3. 3. Equipment, organs, and tissue must be secured in the vehicle to prevent items from sliding, rolling, and vertical movement; and
      4. 4. Emergency Organ Transport Vehicle must be monitored by a vehicle tracking software that includes at minimum speed and location tracking capabilities. GPS navigation software must be available for the vehicle operator.

5. (5) General Provisions for Emergency Organ Transport Services

   1. (a) No person shall make use of the words "emergency organ transport" to describe any ground transportation or facility or service associated therewith which such person provides, or to otherwise hold oneself out to be an emergency organ transport service unless such person has a valid license issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or is exempt from licensing under this chapter.

   2. (b) Each emergency organ transport vehicle shall be driven by an individual that is:

      1. 1. At least 18 years of age; and
      2. 2. Currently certified in EVOC and defensive driving; and
      3. 3. Passed a preemployment driver's license check, drug screen, and state and national background check.
   3. (c) Maintain written standard operating procedures that includes use of lights and sirens, and vehicle speed during response and transport.
   4. (d) Emergency Organ Transport Services must be contracted or have a formal agreement with a federally designated organ procurement organization or a recognized organ transplant center.
   5. (e) Licensed Emergency Organ Transport Services and applicants for Emergency Organ Transport Services shall not misrepresent or falsify any information, applications, forms, or data filed with or submitted to the Department.
   6. (f) An Emergency Organ Transport Service shall not transport a patient.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 31-2A-3, 31-2A-6, 31-11-1 to 31-11-5, 31-11-9, 31-11-34, 31-11-35.

History. Original Rule entitled "Licensure of Emergency Organ Transport Services" adopted. F. Dec. 19, 2025; eff. Jan. 18, 2026, as specified by the Agency.