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.
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
Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED, or its Red Cross equivalent, is the usual standard for school staff. Requirements are set by state education rules and district policy, so they differ between neighbouring districts.
Who is typically required to hold it:
- Athletic coaches — most consistently required, often including AED training and, in many states, concussion protocol training alongside it.
- School nurses — held to a clinical standard, usually BLS Provider rather than the layperson course.
- Classroom teachers — varies widely; some districts require all staff, others a designated number per building.
- Bus drivers, aides and after-school staff — frequently included in district policy.
Which issuing organizations are accepted
Districts commonly accept the AHA and the American Red Cross. Where a state athletics association sets the coaching requirement, it may name accepted providers explicitly — that list governs for coaches.
Is online-only enough?
Generally not for the certification itself. Districts normally require a hands-on skills component, and athletics associations tend to be explicit about it. Blended delivery is usually acceptable.
Related training that districts also require — concussion awareness, allergy and epinephrine training, bloodborne pathogens — is more often delivered fully online, which sometimes creates the impression that the CPR card can be too. It usually cannot.
How often you need to renew
Two years for the CPR/first aid card. District-mandated annual trainings run separately and being current on those does not keep the CPR card valid.
Coaches should check that the card covers the whole season, not just the start date.
What to verify with your district
- Whether the requirement applies to your specific role.
- Whether your state athletics association sets a stricter standard, if you coach.
- Whether the district provides training — many run in-service sessions at no cost.
- Whether first aid is required alongside CPR, and whether AED must be included.
- Where proof is filed, and how far ahead of expiry they expect renewal.
Requirements vary by state, district and role, and they change. Confirm with your district before booking.
Booking
Browse first aid and CPR classes · BLS classes for school nurses. Districts training several staff should ask providers about on-site group sessions.