The hurricane hit at 2 AM. Half the staff couldn't find the emergency plan. The other half didn't know one existed.
The CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule requires healthcare facilities to maintain emergency plans, policies, communication procedures, and training programs. When something goes wrong, your team's response depends on training they received before the emergency. EZBunny's course covers the four core elements and what every worker needs to know.
Start your free trialCMS requires emergency preparedness plans and training for the provider and supplier types its Emergency Preparedness Rule names, including hospitals, home health agencies, and rural health clinics and FQHCs (42 CFR 482/484/485/491).
Course Details
25 minutes
OSHA Safety
OSHA / CMS
Online, self-paced
October 2026
What your team will learn
- Why the CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule exists and which facilities it covers
- The all-hazards approach to emergency planning
- The four core elements: risk assessment, policies/procedures, communication plan, training/testing
- What your facility's emergency plan must include
- Communication plan requirements (internal and external contacts, backup systems)
- Training and testing requirements (drills, tabletop exercises)
- Your specific role during an emergency
Who needs this training?
Required for the facility types the CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule names. R = Required by regulation. S = Strongly recommended. Not a named facility type = the rule does not list this setting by name; your compliance lead decides what applies.
| Practice Type | Status | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health Agencies | Required | CMS CoP 42 CFR 484.102 |
| Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) | Required | CMS CoP 42 CFR 416.54 |
| Community Health Centers (FQHCs) | Required | CMS EP Rule (RHC/FQHC) |
| Behavioral Health & SUD Treatment | Recommended | CARF |
| Dental Offices | Recommended | Dental board CE in many states |
| Urgent Care Centers | Recommended | AAAHC (if accredited) |
| Physician Practices & Medical Groups | Not a named facility type | Check with your compliance lead |
| Mental Health Private Practices | Not a named facility type | Check with your compliance lead |
| Telehealth Providers | Not a named facility type | Check with your compliance lead |
Which roles must complete this training?
All staff at a facility the rule names, clinical and non-clinical. Key roles include:
- Registered Nurses: Primary patient care during emergencies
- Agency Administrators: Responsible for emergency plan development and maintenance
- Center Directors: Overall facility emergency coordination
- OR Nurses / Surgical Staff: Patient safety during surgical emergencies
- Program Directors: Staff coordination and communication chain management
CMS requires initial training, then refresher training every two years for most facilities (long-term care facilities train annually). Inpatient facilities run two testing exercises per year; outpatient facilities run one.
Common Emergency Preparedness training questions
Which healthcare facilities must comply with the CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule?
The rule applies to the provider and supplier types it names, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, home health agencies, hospices, long-term care facilities, rural health clinics and FQHCs, and dialysis facilities. The specific requirements vary by facility type, but all must address the four core elements: risk assessment, policies and procedures, communication plan, and training and testing.
What are the four core elements of the CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule?
The four core elements are: (1) a risk assessment and emergency plan based on an all-hazards approach, (2) policies and procedures for emergencies, (3) a communication plan for internal and external coordination, and (4) a training and testing program. The training and testing program must include drills and tabletop exercises. Each element must be documented. Under CMS's 2019 rule, most facilities review the program every two years, while long-term care facilities review it annually, and any facility must update it sooner when significant changes occur.
How often must emergency preparedness training and drills occur?
CMS requires initial training, then refresher training every two years for most facilities (long-term care facilities train annually). Inpatient facilities conduct two testing exercises per year; outpatient facilities conduct one per year, alternating a community-based full-scale exercise (or a facility-based functional exercise when no community-based exercise is available) with an exercise of their choice, such as a tabletop. Documentation of all training and exercises is required.
What should I do during an actual emergency at my facility?
Follow your facility's emergency action plan. Know your assigned role, evacuation routes, shelter-in-place procedures, and communication chain. Account for patients under your care. Do not freelance - follow the plan and report to your designated supervisor. Speed and coordination save lives; improvisation creates confusion.
Make sure your team knows the plan before they need it
25 minutes per person. Certificate on completion. Start your 14-day free trial now.
Get started freeRegulatory Disclaimer
Training requirements vary by organization type, size, state, payer mix, and accreditation. This guide reflects common federal and state requirements as of April 2026 and is not legal advice. Consult your compliance officer or legal counsel for requirements specific to your organization. EZBunny provides state privacy-law training for California, Texas, and New York. Our state-specific safety and harassment courses are awareness training and may not, on their own, satisfy your state's specific mandate. Other states may have requirements not covered here. Last reviewed: April 2026.