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.
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.
The standard answer
CPR, BLS, ACLS and PALS certification is typically valid for two years from the date of the course, from both the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross.
Some workplace-specific training follows a different cycle — certain OSHA-related topics are retrained annually — so check the requirement rather than assuming two years covers everything you hold.
What the expiry date means
Cards generally expire at the end of the month shown, not on the exact day of the course. A card issued in March 2026 typically runs to 31 March 2028.
Expiry does not mean the skills expired on that date. It reflects how quickly resuscitation skills decay without practice — measurably within months — and how often the underlying guidelines are revised.
When to renew
Before it expires. Two reasons:
- Renewal courses are shorter and cheaper than initial certification, and most providers require a current card to enrol. Once it lapses you may have to retake the full course.
- Employers frequently treat a lapsed card as no card at all, and a lapse can take you off the schedule until it is fixed.
A sensible target is booking your renewal about a month before expiry. If you are starting a clinical placement or a new job, check that the card will remain valid for the whole period, not just the start date.
If it has already lapsed
Ask the provider anyway. Practice varies: some allow a renewal course within a short grace period after expiry, others require the full initial course. The answer usually depends on the issuing organization's rules and how long ago it lapsed.
Renewing does not have to mean the same provider
Your card is issued by a training provider on behalf of the certifying organization, but you are not tied to that provider for renewal. Any authorized provider of the same course can renew you, so it is worth comparing dates and prices.
Check your card
Both AHA and Red Cross eCards carry a QR code that an employer can scan to verify the card and its expiry. If you cannot find your card, the issuing organization or the training provider that taught the class can usually help you retrieve it.
Find a renewal class near you — search for your certification and look for classes described as renewal or update.
Requirements vary by employer, role and state. Confirm what your employer or school expects before you book.