How to File a Complaint

If you decide to file a complaint, visit the Complaint Submission Portal by clicking on the image above. Once there, you can start the process.

What Information Should You Provide?

When filing a complaint, include as much detail as possible. This helps the OEMS determine if they have the authority to act and if the complaint involves a rule or law they can enforce. Include:

The subject’s name, license type, license number, address, and phone number
Date, time, and location of the incident
Employer name, address, and phone number
Facility name if a transport occurred
A detailed description of what happened
Titles or copies of any relevant documents you can provide

Who Does the OEMS Regulate?

The Minnesota OEMS oversees:

Emergency Medical Responders (EMR)
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT)
Advanced EMTs (AEMT)
Community EMTs (CEMT)
Paramedics
Community Paramedics
EMS education programs
Ambulance services
Medical Response Units

What Should Be Reported?

The State of Minnesota requires that all EMS professionals follow safe, ethical, and competent practices. When deciding to file a complaint, ask yourself:

Was the person’s behavior or practice unsafe?
Did they harm a patient or the public?
Was their behavior unprofessional, unethical, or incompetent?
Were they under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other substances?*
Was their behavior affected by a mental or physical condition?*
Did they violate an EMS-related law or rule?

If the issue involves a service, education program, or medical response unit, ask:

Is the entity operating unsafely?
Have they violated any statutes or rules?

For health-related concerns like addiction or mental health issues, you can refer the individual to the Health Professionals Services Program (HPSP) in addition to or instead of filing a formal complaint.

Complaint Process

EMS providers and services in Minnesota are committed to providing high-quality care to residents and visitors. If you believe someone regulated by the Office of EMS (OEMS) has violated the rules or laws that apply to them, you can report this to our office. Anyone with knowledge of a possible violation can file a complaint, including:

Patients
Family members or representatives of patients
Employers, supervisors, or coworkers
Witnesses or anyone else concerned about questionable conduct

Some entities, like licensed services, are required to report certain issues. For more on mandatory reporting, check our Mandatory Reporting page.

What Happens Next?

After you submit your complaint:

You’ll get an email confirming we’ve received it.
The OEMS Investigations and Compliance team will review your complaint to see if it falls within their authority and jurisdiction.

If not, we’ll notify you by email. If another agency might handle your complaint, we’ll forward it or provide you with their contact information.

If the OEMS has jurisdiction, we’ll begin an investigation. An investigator may contact you for additional details. Investigations are confidential, and your identity will not be shared unless you give written approval or a court requires it.
Investigations are typically completed within 120 days, but complex cases may take longer. We’ll notify you if the process exceeds 120 days.

Outcomes of a Complaint

After the investigation, you’ll be notified of the outcome. Possible outcomes include:

Nonpublic Dismissal: If there’s not enough evidence or action isn’t necessary.
Nonpublic Dismissal with Advisement: Suggestions for the subject to improve their practice.
Referral to HPSP: If the issue involves health concerns like illness or addiction.
Public Corrective Action: For cases requiring additional training or education to protect the public.
Public Disciplinary Action: For serious violations. Actions may include license revocation, suspension, or conditions placed on practice. Fines may also apply to services or programs that fail to address violations.

Please note that Minnesota law protects the privacy of both complainants and subjects of complaints. While we can share the public outcomes of disciplinary actions, most investigation details remain confidential.

Anonymous Complaints

You may file a complaint anonymously. If you choose this option:

You’ll receive a complaint reference number—save this number to track your complaint.
Anonymous complaints are harder to investigate, but we’ll do our best with the information you provide.
We do not share complainant information with the subject of the complaint unless you approve it in writing or a court requires it.

Legal Protections, Immunity

Under Minnesota law, anyone who files a complaint in good faith is protected from civil or criminal liability.