Frequently Asked Questions

More About Our CPR Class

  • Heartsaver® courses are American Heart Association (AHA) classes designed for people who do not work in healthcare but may need CPR, AED, or First Aid skills for their job, school, or personal preparedness.

    These classes are ideal if you need CPR certification for work—or you simply want to be prepared to help in an emergency.

    Heartsaver® First Aid Only

    This class is right for you if you:

    • Work in an office, warehouse, or retail setting

    • Are a teacher, coach, or childcare provider who only needs First Aid

    • Want to learn how to respond to common injuries and emergencies

    • Do not need CPR certification for your job

    What this class covers:

    • Bleeding and wound care

    • Burns, sprains, and fractures

    • Allergic reactions and EpiPen use

    • Medical emergencies like seizures or diabetic emergencies

    👉 Best for workplaces or roles that require First Aid training only.

    Heartsaver® First Aid, CPR & AED

    This class is right for you if you:

    • Need CPR certification for work or school

    • Work in childcare, education, fitness, construction, or hospitality

    • Are a coach, personal trainer, or camp counselor

    • Want full emergency preparedness for home or workplace

    What this class covers:

    • Adult, child, and infant CPR

    • AED (defibrillator) use

    • Choking relief

    • All First Aid topics (bleeding, burns, medical emergencies, and more)

    👉 This is the most popular Heartsaver course and meets most workplace CPR requirements.

    Heartsaver® CPR & AED Only

    This class is right for you if you:

    • Only need CPR/AED certification (no First Aid)

    • Work in a low-risk environment

    • Are a gym employee, security staff, or volunteer

    • Need a shorter class focused on life-saving skills

    What this class covers:

    • Adult, child, and infant CPR

    • AED use

    • Choking response

    Best if First Aid training is not required for your job.

    Heartsaver® Instructor

    This course is right for you if you:

    • Want to teach CPR and First Aid classes to the public or workplaces

    • Are responsible for training employees at your company or organization

    • Work in safety, HR, risk management, or emergency response roles

    • Are starting or expanding a CPR training business

    • Need AHA Instructor certification to teach Heartsaver courses

    What this course prepares you to teach:

    • Heartsaver First Aid

    • Heartsaver CPR & AED

    • Heartsaver First Aid, CPR & AED

    • Heartsaver AED Only

    Still Not Sure Which Class You Need?

    If your employer, school, or organization did not specify a course, feel free to contact us and we’ll help you choose the right class.

  • BLS courses are AHA programs designed for healthcare professionals and clinical responders who may need to perform CPR in medical or professional settings.

    These courses follow healthcare-level CPR standards and are commonly required by employers and licensing boards.

    BLS Provider (Renewal)

    This class is right for you if you:

    • Are a healthcare professional with a current or recently expired BLS card

    • Need to renew your BLS certification for work or licensure

    • Work as a nurse, physician, EMT, dental professional, or allied health worker

    • Are required to maintain AHA BLS certification by your employer

    What this class covers:

    • High-quality adult, child, and infant CPR

    • Team-based CPR and use of a bag-mask device

    • AED use in clinical settings

    • Relief of choking

    • Updates based on current AHA guidelines

    This course is intended for renewal. If your card is expired beyond your employer’s accepted timeframe, a full BLS Provider course may be required.

    BLS Skills Check-Off

    This class is right for you if you:

    • Completed the AHA BLS online course (HeartCode® BLS)

    • Need an in-person skills evaluation to complete certification

    • Are a student in a nursing, medical, or allied health program

    • Need quick, hands-on testing only (no lecture)

    What this class includes:

    • Hands-on skills testing with an AHA instructor

    • Adult, child, and infant CPR skills

    • AED and bag-mask skills

    • Team CPR scenarios (as required)

    This option is for students who have already completed the online portion and need in-person skills verification.

    BLS Instructor Course

    This class is right for you if you:

    • Want to teach AHA BLS courses to healthcare professionals

    • Are responsible for training clinical staff or students

    • Work as an educator, preceptor, or training coordinator

    • Want to become affiliated with an AHA Training Center as a BLS Instructor

    What this course prepares you to teach:

    • BLS Provider

    • BLS Provider Renewal

    • BLS Skills Sessions (HeartCode® BLS)

    What you’ll learn:

    • How to teach and evaluate BLS skills

    • How to run skills check-offs and team scenarios

    • AHA instructor responsibilities and policies

    • How to issue AHA eCards through a Training Center

    Still Not Sure Which BLS Class You Need?

    • Renewing your certification? → BLS Provider Renewal

    • Completed HeartCode® BLS online? → BLS Skills Check-Off

    • Want to teach BLS courses? → BLS Instructor

    If you’re unsure which option meets your employer or school requirements, contact us and we’ll help you choose the correct course.

  • ACLS courses are AHA programs designed for healthcare professionals who manage or participate in advanced cardiac and respiratory emergencies.

    These courses build on BLS skills and emphasize team-based resuscitation, airway management, ECG interpretation, and pharmacology.

    ACLS Provider

    This class is right for you if you:

    • Are taking ACLS for the first time

    • Are a healthcare professional working in critical care or emergency settings

    • Work as a physician, nurse, paramedic, respiratory therapist, or advanced provider

    • Need ACLS certification for employment or credentialing

    What this class covers:

    • Recognition and management of cardiac arrest and peri-arrest conditions

    • Airway management and ventilation

    • ECG rhythm recognition

    • ACLS medications and algorithms

    • High-performance, team-based resuscitation

    • Post–cardiac arrest care

    👉 This course is intended for initial certification or for providers whose ACLS card has been expired beyond renewal eligibility.

    ACLS Provider (Renewal)

    This class is right for you if you:

    • Hold a current or recently expired AHA ACLS card

    • Need to renew ACLS certification for work or licensure

    • Are actively practicing in a clinical environment

    • Are familiar with ACLS algorithms and medications

    What this class covers:

    • Review of ACLS algorithms and updates

    • Advanced airway and pharmacology review

    • ECG interpretation and case-based scenarios

    • Team dynamics and communication during resuscitation

    This is a refresher course and assumes prior ACLS knowledge.

How to Manage Your E-card

    1. Visit the eCards Search page. On the “Student” tab, enter your First Name, Last Name, and Email (ensure this is the email address that was used to sign up for the course) OR enter your eCard Code at the bottom of the page (ask your Training Center for this code). Select “Search.”

    2. If no results are found, please contact your Training Center to verify the information on your eCard. If all the information was entered correctly, you will be brought to a page that shows “My eCards.”

    3. Look for your eCard that is “Unclaimed” and select “Claim.”

    4. Set up your security question and answer. Accept the terms of the site and select “Submit”.

    5. Complete the survey on the course you just completed. Your answers to these questions will help improve the quality of future AHA training.

    6. After you complete the survey, your eCard will display. You can save or print your eCard.

    7. Once your eCard has been claimed, you will receive an email notification; please save this confirmation email for your records.

    8. Claiming your eCard is the only way you can show proof of course completion to your employer.

  • (If you have not received an email please check your Spam/Junk folders or view “Claim Your eCard via eCards Site” instructions above):

    1. You will receive an email from eCards@heart.org with a link inviting you to claim your eCard online. Please make sure to check your spam or junk folder. This link will direct you to the Student Profile webpage; please confirm that all information on that page (First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone Number (if entered for claiming by SMS), eCard Code, AHA Instructor Name, and Training Center information) is correct. If it is not, contact your Training Center.

    2. Set up your security question and answer. Accept the terms of the site and select “Submit.”

    3. Complete the survey on the course you just completed. Your answers to these questions will help improve the quality of future AHA training.

    4. After you complete the survey, your eCard will display. You can save or print your eCard.

    5. Once your eCard has been claimed, you will receive an email notification; please save this confirmation email for your records.

    6. Claiming your eCard is the only way you can show proof of course completion to your employer.

  • Note: In order for students to opt-in to this service, an Instructor or Training Center must FIRST enter the student’s mobile phone number in the eCards system when issuing an eCard.

    1. During or after class, (if your Instructor or Training Center has entered your mobile phone number into the eCard system) opt-in to claim/view your eCard by texting “eCard” to the number 51736.

    2. If the message is sent correctly per the guidance of your Instructor, you will receive instructions via text message on how to claim your eCard.

    3. If you attempt to opt-in and your number is not in the system, you will receive a message that your phone number was not found.

    1. Visit the eCards Search page). On the “Student” tab, enter your First Name, Last Name, and Email (ensure this is the email address that was used to sign up for the course) OR enter your eCard Code at the bottom of the page. Select “Search.”

    2. Answer your security question.

    3. If all the information entered is correct, you will be brought to a page that shows “My eCards.” If your eCard cannot be found, contact your Training Center to verify your information.

    4. To download an eCard, select the size you would like (Full or Wallet) where it says, “View eCard.

    5. To email an eCard, select “Email Cards,” enter the email address, and select “Email.”

  • Note: The student must have claimed their eCard in order for an employer to view it. If the student received their eCard through RQI please follow this link.

    1. Visit the eCards Search page. On the “Employer” tab, enter the eCard Code (up to 20), and select “Verify.”

    2. The next page will show the eCard Status of the provided code(s).

    1. Visit the eCards Search page(link opens in new window) On the “Student” tab, enter your First Name, Last Name, and Email (ensure this is the email address that was used to sign up for the course) OR enter your eCard Code at the bottom of the page. Select “Search.”

    2. Answer your security question.

    3. If all the information entered is correct, you will be brought to a page that shows “My eCards.” If your eCard cannot be found, contact your Training Center to verify your information.

    4. If the personal information listed on your eCard is incorrect, follow the “Edit” button in the top right corner of the eCard tile.

    5. Make the necessary edits to the personal information listed and select Save Changes at the bottom of the page to submit the edit request to your Training Center. If you would like said updates to be made to all your eCards select the “Do you want to update all of your active eCards?” checkbox.

    6. If the Training Center has not updated your eCard based on your submitted edits, please contact that Training Center directly regarding your pending update request.

  • You received your card via email from your Training Center and already claimed it.

    Before reaching out to your Training Center to request a new card, first try to run a few searches in your email inbox to make sure you didn’t overlook the email with the link to access your eCard.

    If you have already claimed your card please see the question “How to View Your Claimed eCard.”

Certification & Renewal

  • After you successfully complete your course, your authorized Training Center will issue the card. For most U.S. provider-level courses, you’ll receive an electronic certification card (eCard) via email.

    Once you receive the email, you’ll need to claim the eCard (by setting up your profile and answering a short survey) to make it official.

    According to AHA, your Training Center must issue the eCard within 20 business days of class completion.

  • Most AHA CPR, BLS and First Aid certifications are valid for two years from the issue date. You should plan to renew your certification before it expires to remain current with AHA guidelines.

  • For instructions on what to do if your e-card is misplaced, please see Lost your eCard.

  • You can view or verify your eCard via the AHA eCards portal:

    • Go to the “My Cards” page

    • Enter your first name, last name and the email used for the course, or the e-Card code if you have it.

    For employers or third-party verification, the eCard includes a QR code and can be checked online for validity.

  • To renew, you will enroll in a renewal course (either full or blended format depending on your prior certification). After completing the renewal training and meeting all requirements (hands-on skills check, online portion if applicable), your Training Center will issue a new certification card valid for another two years.


    Tip: Check if your employer or state has specific renewal requirements or accepted formats.

  • If your AHA certification has expired, you may still be eligible to take a renewal course — but if it’s been expired for a long time, you may need to take a full initial certification course rather than a renewal.

AHA CPR Courses: Common Questions

  • The AHA does not mandate a minimum age requirement for learning CPR.

    The ability to perform CPR is based more on body strength than age. Studies have shown that children as young as nine years old can learn and retain CPR skills. Please speak with an AHA Instructor or Training Center if you have any concerns.

  • The science in the official AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC shows that victims have a greater chance of survival from cardiac arrest when high-quality CPR includes use of an AED.

  • For American Heart Association courses that include psychomotor skills such as CPR, students must complete a hands-on skills session to obtain an AHA course completion card. With AHA blended learning, students will practice and test skills to ensure competency during the hands-on skills session. The AHA offers a variety of blended learning and eLearning courses.

    For blended learning courses, a student completes part of the course in a self-directed manner online, followed by a hands-on skills session in person with an AHA Instructor or using a Voice Assisted Manikin (VAM) where available. AHA eLearning courses are fully self-directed, and do not require a separate hands-on skills session.

  • The cost for hands-on sessions is determined by the AHA Training Center offering the session. Training Centers will be able to answer your questions about availability and fees. 

  • No, first aid is not included in the AHA’s BLS courses. The AHA offers a variety of courses that will prepare you to respond to a first aid emergency, including:

    • Heartsaver First Aid

    • Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED

    • Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED

  • No, BLS is not included in AHA’s ACLS courses. However, it is expected that healthcare providers taking an ACLS course come to class already proficient in BLS skills. However, the AHA has provided its Training Centers with sample agendas that allow BLS skills to be incorporated into advanced courses. Check with your Training Center about this option.

  • Students in ACLS courses are not required by the AHA to have a current BLS Provider card, but they are expected to be proficient in BLS skills. Training Centers may require students to have current BLS Provider card.

  • In CPR and first aid training,

    • An infant is younger than one year

    • A child is older than one year and has not reached puberty

    • An adult is anyone who has gone through or is going through puberty