Which CPR Certification Do I Need?
Are you seeking a job that requires CPR certification, or do you need to renew a prior CPR certification for your current occupation but forget which class you need? Fear not! Follow these step-by-step directions to confidently pick the appropriate CPR certification course.
Ask your employer/educational program what credentials they require.
Ask your employer who the certification issuing authority must be
Locate a class near you.
Get the best deal you can.
Reserve your seat and provide payment.
Attend the course.
Claim your certification card.
Ask your employer/educational program what credentials they require.
Ensure you take the appropriate course prior to paying for one that won’t be accepted. Search the employer’s/educational program’s website for information on required certifications. If unable to obtain that information from their webpage, locate their contact information and speak with either a human resources representative or admissions advisor.
There are two types of CPR credentials
CPR for medical professionals is known as Basic Life Support (BLS) and is suited for EMTs, Paramedics, Nurses, Midwives, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Physicians, Dentists, Pharmacists, etc.
CPR for non-medical professionals is suited for childcare providers, teachers, electrical workers, manufacturing plant workers, physical trainers, babysitters, etc.
Ask your employer/educational program who the certification issuing authority must be.
Employers may not accept a credential from a particular issuing authority, so take a course from an accepted accrediting organization. Always ask your employer before registering for a class.
The American Heart Association (AHA), American Red Cross (ARC), or the American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI).
American Heart Association credentials are generally but not exclusively for medical providers. Heartsaver ® is their non-medical provider version of CPR, which can also incorporate First Aid if your employer requires it.
The American Red Cross offers both medical and non-medical CPR, however, most medical professionals prefer AHA over ARC to work in the hospital setting.
The American Safety & Health Institute provides both BLS and CPR as well, however, finding a course may be more challenging than the previous options.
Locate a class near you.
Depending on your region the number of available instructors and accrediting options may be limited. While traveling to a location that is further away may be frustrating you may find a greater number of options available in more urban areas.
Find an AHA class by using the AHA Class Connector.
Use the American Red Cross homepage to select the class you need from their ‘Our Class Programs’ section.
To find an American Safety & Health Institute class you must first look for a training center in your area here.
Get the best deal you can.
Seek an affordable option. Once you locate training providers in your area, compare their prices and services to get the best deal. Remember the old adage, you get what you pay for. Some instructors teach out of commercial spaces while others teach classes from their homes. If an instructor teaches from their home you may want to consider whether the instructor has pets, or will family members be walking around the house during your course. Considerations like these may greatly influence where you choose to take your class. Instructors charge independent rates that may vary widely and as a consumer, you want to get the most out of your money.
Look for a professional environment offering a comprehensive package. Ask questions like–what material do you need for the course? are those items included in the course price? Are any discounts available? when will you receive the certification card? what are your company’s attendance policies? Find the best deal by comparing your available vendors.
If already employed, your employer may cover your certification fees upfront or provide reimbursement.
If seeking employment you will probably incur an out-of-pocket expense for your certification.
Reserve your seat and provide payment.
After selecting a vendor that best meets your needs, ask them about the reservation and payment process. Some vendors require payment at the time of reservation, while others may require payment at the time of arrival. The instructor should send you a welcome letter outlining course requirements and need to know information about your course prior to your arrival. Make sure the vendor provides you with an itemized receipt in the event your employer provides reimbursement.
Attend the course.
Remember that courses may vary in length depending on the material presented and the number of students attending. CPR courses can last between 2-4 hours. Plan your schedule accordingly and allow for additional time in the event you think you would like more time to practice the skills. After successful completion of the skills and course requirements, you will be issued a course completion card. If you are an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Technician you are eligible for continuing medical education hours. Instructors should automatically submit the course roster to allow EMS workers to claim their hours. It is always helpful to formally request those hours from your instructor.
Claim your certification card.
After the course is completed the Instructor should inform you of how long it will take for you to receive your card and how to claim it. It is generally acceptable to issue course completion cards within the span of one week. If you need your card as soon as possible to meet a scheduled deadline then it would behoove you to ensure your Instructor offers same-day card issuance. EMskillz guarantees same-day eCard issuance. The issuing agency will send the student an email containing a link to claim a copy of their card. Students who have taken an AHA course may also claim a copy of their card by texting the word ‘ecard’ to 51736. The AHA also provides a resource for you to retrieve a copy of your card in the event you lose it.
We hope that you found this brief article helpful and that you now have a better understanding of which CPR class you should take depending on your needs. EMskillz, LLC, established in April 2020, is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business located in Clarksville, TN that aims to provide the best CPR and medical education classes possible for their clients. EMskillz has instructors nationwide and ensures client satisfaction. Thank you for taking the time to read this article and we look forward to hearing from you.
