CPR certification guides
Which certification your profession needs, what employers actually accept, and how the issuing organizations differ — written from published course materials, with sources cited on every guide.
Guides by profession
What your employer or licensing board is likely to ask for, by field of work.
- CPR and first aid certification for construction sites
OSHA requires trained first-aid personnel where medical help is not nearby. What that means in practice for a construction crew.
- CPR and first aid certification for restaurants
Choking is the emergency restaurant staff actually face. What OSHA expects, what health codes require, and how the two differ.
- CPR certification for daycare and childcare staff
Childcare licensing is set state by state, and pediatric CPR with first aid is the usual requirement. What to check before you book.
- CPR certification for dental practices
Dental boards commonly require BLS for licensure, and sedation permits raise the bar further. What dentists, hygienists and assistants each need.
- CPR certification for home health aides
Agencies usually require CPR at hire, and Medicare-certified agencies work to federal training rules. What aides and agencies each need to check.
- CPR certification for nurses
Working nurses need BLS Provider, and many units add ACLS or PALS. What your employer is likely to require, and how to keep it current.
- CPR certification for nursing students
Nursing programs almost always ask for BLS Provider, not a layperson CPR card. Here is what to book, who accepts it, and how long it lasts.
- CPR certification for personal trainers and fitness staff
Nearly every fitness certification body requires a current CPR/AED card, and most gyms check it at hire. What counts and what does not.
- CPR certification for security officers
Many states tie CPR and first aid to the guard licence, and armed officers are often held to a higher standard. What to check before renewal.
- CPR certification for teachers and school staff
Requirements come from state education rules and district policy, and coaches are usually held to a stricter standard than classroom staff.
Comparison guides
Straight answers on the choices students ask about most.
- AHA vs Red Cross CPR certification
Both are widely accepted, but not interchangeably. What differs between American Heart Association and American Red Cross certification, and how to tell which one you need.
- BLS vs CPR — which one do you need?
BLS is the healthcare-provider course; Heartsaver CPR/AED is the layperson course. Booking the wrong one is the most common and most expensive mistake.
- How long does CPR certification last?
Most CPR, BLS, ACLS and PALS cards are valid for two years. What the expiry date actually means, when to renew, and what happens if you let it lapse.
- How much does CPR certification cost?
What drives the price of a CPR class, which extras are and are not included, and how to avoid paying twice.
- Is online CPR certification accepted?
Blended courses with an in-person skills check are widely accepted. Fully online cards with no skills component frequently are not — here is how to tell the difference before you pay.
Read how we research, review and correct these guides in our editorial standards.