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.
This guide has not yet been reviewed by a certified instructor. It is written from published course materials — confirm requirements with your employer or school.
Which certification is requested
It depends on who is asking, and home health is a field where two different standards often apply to the same person:
- Agency policy is the most common driver, and agencies typically require CPR/AED at minimum. Many require BLS Provider, particularly where aides work alongside nursing staff or with medically complex clients.
- State aide certification rules set training requirements for the aide credential itself, which may or may not include CPR.
- Medicare-certified agencies operate under federal conditions of participation covering aide training and competency; agencies generally translate these into their own written policy.
If you are an aide, the practical answer is your agency's policy. If you run an agency, the practical answer is your state rules plus your conditions of participation.
Which issuing organizations are accepted
Agencies commonly accept the AHA and the American Red Cross. Where an agency requires BLS rather than the layperson course, the AHA is more often named specifically.
Is online-only enough?
No, in almost all cases. Agencies are documenting competency for survey and audit purposes, and a card with no skills assessment is weak evidence. Blended delivery with an in-person skills session is normally accepted and is practical for staff working across clients.
How often you need to renew
Two years for the card. Agencies frequently require annual in-service training on top — often including bloodborne pathogens and infection control — which is separate from the CPR card and does not extend it.
Keep the card current continuously: a lapse can put an aide off the schedule immediately, because the agency cannot evidence competency during the gap.
What to verify with your agency
- Whether the agency requires BLS or the layperson CPR/AED course.
- Which issuing organizations they accept.
- Whether the agency pays for or provides the training — many do.
- Whether first aid is required in addition.
- How the agency wants proof filed, and how far ahead of expiry.
- Whether your state aide certification carries its own requirement.
Requirements vary by agency, state and payer, and they change. Confirm with your agency before booking.
Booking
Browse BLS classes · CPR/AED classes. Agencies training several aides should ask providers about on-site group sessions.