Official American Heart Association classes
American Heart Association training site
Most people need one of three American Heart Association courses. Healthcare jobs and healthcare programs ask for Basic Life Support (BLS). Most other jobs ask for Heartsaver CPR AED, or Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED when first aid is part of the job. If your employer or school names a course, book that one.
Quick check
Do you work in healthcare, or are you training for a healthcare job?
Yes: Basic Life Support (BLS). No: answer question 2.
Does your job ask for first aid as well as CPR?
Yes: Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED. No, just CPR: Heartsaver CPR AED.
Healthcare
For nurses, CNAs, EMTs, medical and dental staff, pharmacy staff and healthcare students.
Card still current? Book BLS Renewal
What you practice
Your cardAmerican Heart Association BLS Provider
Most jobs outside healthcare
For fitness instructors, coaches, security officers, parents and many others who need a CPR card.
What you practice
Your cardAmerican Heart Association Heartsaver CPR AED
When first aid is part of the job
For teachers, childcare staff, camp counselors, workplace responders and many others.
What you practice
Your cardAmerican Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED
These are only a few examples. Many other jobs, schools and volunteer roles ask for one of these cards. If yours names a course, book that one.
All three are official American Heart Association courses, completed on-site at a training site with a live instructor.
| Compare | Basic Life Support (BLS) | Heartsaver CPR AED | Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Healthcare providers and healthcare students | Anyone outside healthcare who needs a CPR card | Anyone outside healthcare who needs first aid and CPR |
| CPR for adults, children and infants | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AED use | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bag-mask breaths and team CPR | Yes | No | No |
| First aid | No | No | Yes |
| Class length | About 4 hours | About 4 hours | About 4 hours |
| Your card | AHA BLS Provider | AHA Heartsaver CPR AED | AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED |
| Card issued | The same day | The same day | The same day |
| Valid for | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
BLS is CPR for healthcare providers. Both courses teach chest compressions, rescue breaths and AED use for adults, children and infants.
BLS goes further. You practice two-rescuer CPR, breaths with a bag-mask device and working as a team, the way it is done in a hospital or an ambulance.
Heartsaver CPR AED is written for everyone else: the coworker, coach or parent who starts CPR and uses an AED until help arrives.
If your job asks for “BLS”, “BLS Provider” or “BLS for Healthcare Providers”, a Heartsaver card will not count. Book BLS.
Renewing your card?
01
Ask your employer or school which course they want, in writing if you can. The name they give you is the name to book.
02
Every course on this site is an official American Heart Association course, and your card is the official AHA card.
03
Each course takes about 4 hours from start to finish. Your card is issued the same day and is valid for 2 years.
Still not sure? Our course finder asks a few quick questions and points you to the right class. Or text us at (888) 802-2430.
FAQ
Straight answers about which card you need and what each course covers.
BLS is a CPR course for healthcare providers. It covers CPR and AED use for adults, children and infants, plus two-rescuer CPR, bag-mask breaths and team response.
No. BLS covers CPR, AED use and choking relief. If your job asks for first aid, book Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED.
Yes, anyone can take BLS. If your job only asks for a CPR AED card, Heartsaver CPR AED is the course written for you.
Yes. Heartsaver CPR AED and Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED both cover CPR for adults, children and infants.
No. BLS, Heartsaver CPR AED and Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED are open to first-time students. BLS Renewal is for people whose BLS card is still current.
2 years from the day you complete the course, for every course we offer.
The same day you complete the course. You receive it by email as soon as the instructor records your pass.
Your AHA eCard can be checked by your employer on the American Heart Association's eCards site.
American Heart Association
Find your training site and choose your course. Classes are never cancelled for low enrollment, and your card is issued the same day.
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Official American Heart Association classes at training sites near you. Your card is issued the same day.