CPR and first aid certification FAQ
The questions students, employers and instructors ask most about CPR, BLS, ACLS and first aid classes, from how long a certification lasts to how to book training for a whole team.
24 common questions
CPR, BLS and first aid questions, answered
Pick out any question below. If your situation is unusual, the provider you book with is the best source on their own agency's rules.
What is the difference between CPR and BLS certification?
CPR certification covers how to recognize cardiac arrest, give chest compressions and use an AED on adults, children and infants. It is written for the general public, workplace responders and anyone who wants to be ready to help. BLS (Basic Life Support) goes further: it is built for healthcare professionals and adds team based resuscitation, bag valve mask use, two rescuer CPR and pulse checks. If you work in a hospital, clinic or as a first responder, you usually need BLS. Everyone else is usually well served by a CPR and AED course.
How long does a CPR certification last?
Most CPR, BLS and first aid certifications are valid for two years from the date you pass the class. Some pediatric first aid cards run for two years as well, while a few workplace programs issue cards valid for one year. The expiration date is printed on your card, and the provider you trained with can tell you exactly which cycle their certifying agency uses.
Do I have to take a class in person, or can I certify online?
It depends on the certification you need. Online only courses are available and are accepted for some workplace requirements and personal knowledge, but most certifying agencies require a hands-on skills session for a full certification card. Many providers on this site offer blended classes: you complete the knowledge portion online, then attend a short in-person session to be checked on compressions, AED use and choking relief.
What is a blended class?
A blended class mixes online learning with an in-person skills check. You finish the online lessons at your own pace, then meet an instructor for a short session, often 30 to 60 minutes, where you demonstrate CPR and AED skills on a manikin. The card you receive is the same one issued for a full in-person class.
How much does a CPR class cost?
Prices vary by city, course level and class format. Community CPR and AED classes commonly run from about $45 to $90, first aid classes sit in a similar range, and BLS, ACLS and PALS courses for healthcare professionals generally cost more because they run longer. Many providers offer group rates for workplaces, schools and teams, and the class listing on this site shows the price before you register so you can compare.
How long does a CPR class take?
A basic CPR and AED class usually runs two to three hours. Adding first aid, or taking a pediatric course for childcare, brings it to roughly four to six hours. BLS certification is commonly a four hour class, while ACLS and PALS run one to two days. Blended classes cut the in-person time to a short skills session.
Who needs CPR certification for their job?
Teachers, childcare and daycare staff, coaches, fitness instructors, lifeguards, security officers, healthcare workers, dental and clinic staff, social workers and many hospitality and construction roles are commonly asked to hold a current card. If your employer requires certification, ask which agency and which course level they accept before you book, so you take the right class the first time.
Does OSHA require my workplace to provide CPR training?
OSHA does not require every workplace to train all employees in CPR, but its first aid standard requires trained first aid responders where medical care is not reasonably close, and its bloodborne pathogens standard requires training for anyone expected to help an injured coworker. Many employers go further and train a response team, and some industries, such as logging and electrical work, have specific CPR and first aid expectations.
What is the difference between the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross and other agencies?
All of the major certifying agencies teach the same core skills to nationally recognized guidelines, but their cards, course lengths and renewal cycles differ, and some employers specify one agency by name. The American Heart Association is the most common choice in healthcare, the American Red Cross is widely accepted in schools, childcare and workplaces, and agencies such as ASHI, NSC and EMS Safety are also accepted in many settings. Check what your employer or licensing body accepts, then pick a class taught for that agency.
What is ACLS, and do I need it?
ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) is an advanced course for healthcare professionals who manage cardiac arrest, stroke and arrhythmias, and it requires a current BLS card before you enroll. It covers rhythm recognition, airway management, medications and team based resuscitation. Nurses, paramedics, physicians, respiratory therapists and students in those fields usually need it.
What is PALS, and who should take it?
PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) is the pediatric counterpart to ACLS. It teaches assessment and resuscitation of seriously ill infants and children, including respiratory emergencies, shock and arrhythmias. It is aimed at pediatric nurses, emergency and critical care staff, paramedics and physicians who treat children, and it also requires a current BLS card.
Do childcare providers and teachers need a different class?
Yes, in most states. Childcare licensing, preschools and school districts typically ask for pediatric first aid and CPR that includes infants and children, and often a specific agency card. A standard adult workplace class will not usually satisfy a childcare license. Providers on this site list the pediatric and childcare courses they teach, so you can book the one your licensing office recognizes.
Will I learn CPR for adults, children and infants in one class?
Most community CPR and AED classes cover all three: adult, child and infant compressions, choking relief and AED use. Healthcare level courses add two rescuer techniques for each. If you only need one age group, for example infant CPR for a new parent class, ask the provider whether they offer a shorter single-group course.
Do I get my certification card the same day?
Most providers issue a digital eCard within minutes or a few hours of class, and some hand out printed cards on the spot. When you register, the class listing notes whether the provider issues an eCard the same day or mails a physical card, so you know what to expect if your employer needs proof quickly.
My card expired. Do I need a full class or a renewal?
It depends on how long ago it expired. Most agencies offer a shorter renewal or refresher course for people whose card lapsed recently, often within 30 to 90 days, and require the full course after that. Renewal classes still include a skills check. If you are unsure, tell the provider your situation when you register and they will book you into the right course.
What should I bring and wear to a CPR class?
Bring a photo ID and, if you are renewing, your current card. Wear comfortable clothing you can kneel and move in, since you will practice compressions on a manikin on the floor or on a table. Bring water, and a notebook if you like to take notes. Providers sometimes ask you to review a short pre-course guide before class, and that will be in your registration confirmation.
Is there a test, and what happens if I do not pass?
There is a short written or online knowledge check and a hands-on skills check in almost every certification course. Instructors coach you through the skills stations, and the vast majority of students pass. If you need more practice, most providers let you re-test or repeat the skills session at no extra charge or for a small fee, and they will tell you their policy before you enroll.
Can I take a CPR class in Spanish or another language?
Many providers teach in Spanish and other languages, and some run bilingual classes or offer translated materials. Class listings on this site show the language a course is taught in, and you can filter search results by language. If you need an interpreter, ask the provider before you book so they can plan for it.
Is there an age requirement to get certified?
Most certifying agencies issue cards to students aged 12 and up, and some community programs accept younger participants for a participation certificate rather than a full certification. Teen babysitters, junior lifeguards and students preparing for healthcare programs are common students in these classes. Ask the provider what their minimum age is if you are booking for a young teen.
How many students are in a class?
Class sizes vary. Community classes commonly run between six and twenty students with one or two instructors, and certifying agencies set a maximum ratio of manikins and instructors to students so everyone gets hands-on practice time. If a small group setting matters to you, ask the provider for their typical class size when you register.
What is a class cancellation or refund policy?
Every provider sets their own policy, and it is shown when you register on their site. Most allow you to reschedule with 24 to 48 hours notice and charge a fee for a late cancellation or a no-show. Because you register and pay directly with the training provider, contact them first if your plans change.
How do I find a class near me on this site?
Enter your ZIP code or city on the search page, or use your current location, then narrow the results by course type, date, distance, price, format and language. Each result shows the date, time, location, price and the certifying agency, and the Register button takes you straight to that provider’s own registration page.
Are the businesses listed here real training providers?
Yes. Providers create and manage their own listings, and each one confirms that they are a real CPR, first aid or workplace safety training business. Every class links to the provider’s own registration page, so you book and pay with the instructor you are actually training with. If you spot a listing that looks wrong, contact us and we will review it.
I teach CPR classes. How do I list my business here?
Use the List your classes button in the header to create your provider account, add your profile, service area, certifying agencies and locations, then post your classes or connect your existing schedule page so your dates stay current automatically. Listing is $10 a month, billed monthly and cancelable any time, and the first classes you post go live as soon as your profile is complete.
