Does being CPR certified expire?

Yes, CPR certification typically expires every two years, requiring renewal to keep skills and knowledge current with updated guidelines from organizations like the American Heart Association and American Red Cross. The exact date is on your certification card, and you can renew through abbreviated review courses to refresh techniques and maintain your credentials.

How long is a CPR cert good for?

CPR certification typically lasts for two years from the date of issuance, requiring renewal through a shorter "review" or "challenge" course to keep skills current with the latest guidelines and ensure certification remains valid for work or personal needs. While skills can fade sooner, the 2-year period is the standard validity for most major providers like the American Red Cross and American Heart Association. 

How do I know if my CPR certification is still valid?

To verify an eCard, go to www.heart.org/CPR/mycards and enter the eCard code or scan the QR code on the student eCard. All cards have a copyright notice. The expiration date will appear as a 2-digit month, 4 digit year, and 2 years from the issue date.

Is my expired AHA CPR card still valid?

No, an expired American Heart Association (AHA) CPR card is not valid, as the AHA doesn't offer a grace period; once it expires (typically after two years, at the end of the month listed), you are no longer certified and must retake a full course to regain credentials for employment or response, due to skill decay and updated guidelines. 

What do you need to do to renew your CPR certification?

In order to renew your CPR certification, you can either register for a blended learning course, which allows you to study online, then complete hands-on training in person, find a class in your area, or find CPR online safety courses that suits your needs.

When Does My CPR Certificate Expire? | CPR Certification Duration and Expiration Date

Are online CPR certifications legit?

Yes, online CPR certification can be legitimate, but it depends on the provider and your needs; reputable organizations like the American Red Cross and AHA offer blended learning (online + in-person skills check) for workplace requirements, while 100% online-only courses are often not accepted by employers or for professional certification because they lack the crucial hands-on practice, so always check with your employer or licensing board. Look for accreditation and avoid fully online certifications if hands-on skills are needed. 

How much does CPR certification cost?

CPR certification costs vary widely, from under $20 for basic online courses to $50-$100+ for blended (online + in-person skills) or specialized healthcare provider training like BLS, with factors like provider (Red Cross, AHA, others), location, and included modules (First Aid, AED) influencing price, but expect to pay around $20-$60 for standard certifications.
 

Can I work with expired CPR?

Though you don't need to possess valid certification to perform CPR, it is a good idea to refresh your training and get re-certified every 2 years. That being said, while the general rule is 2 years, professional standards in certain working environments might require you to renew the certification every year.

What happens if you perform CPR without certification?

According to the law, people can get sued for providing CPR when untrained only if they are completely negligent – don't pay attention to signs of life or administer CPR too aggressively. That is why it is always a good idea to take a CPR course put together according to the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines.

What happens if my First Aid certificate expires?

If a learner's certificate has expired, they must requalify before acting as a first aider in the workplace. On the first day of the course, learners will develop the skills and confidence to help someone who: is unresponsive and breathing.

Can employers check if you are CPR certified?

Yes, employers can and often do check CPR certification, especially for safety-sensitive roles, by verifying digital certificates through major providers (like American Heart Association or American Red Cross) or using third-party verification systems like eCPRVerify, easily done by scanning QR codes or entering ID numbers on the cards. 

How do I check if I have my CPR certification?

Our easy-to-use CPR card lookup tool lets you quickly find your CPR card in three different ways:

1. Using your email address at the time the training took place.
2. Entering your name and course completion date.
3. Inputting your certificate ID number.

What happens if my BLS certification expires?

BLS cards are valid for two years from the date on your certificate. If your American Red Cross BLS certification is 30 days from expiration or has already expired, you can enroll in a recertification BLS course (a review course) and get recertified for two more years.

Is online CPR certification as good as in person?

Your EFR Instructor will teach you how to apply the appropriate amount of pressure using a special CPR mannequin. Online training is not legitimate CPR training. If you're going to invest time and money to getting CPR-certified, avoid online scams and choose an accredited program like Emergency First Response.

Should CPR certification be renewed?

CPR certification should be renewed every 12 months to ensure familiarity with proper technique and confidence during an emergency. Courses such as First Aid in Education and Care Settings or industry-specific first aid training may have different renewal periods.

How do I look up my CPR certification?

You can find a CPR card lookup by searching “find my CPR certification” or “check my CPR certification.” Identify your certifying provider—AHA, Red Cross, HSI, or other. Go to their lookup page—see the next section for direct links. Enter required information—name, email, certificate ID, or training date.

Why don't we do rescue breaths anymore?

To be clear, trained and certified responders are still taught and encouraged to deliver rescue breaths during CPR to help increase the chances of survival. However, the move toward Hands-Only CPR encourages the public to engage in quick, immediate action as opposed to fumbling, hesitating, or doing nothing.

Why is CPR called as Kiss of Life?

Chest compression mimics heart contractions and mouth-to-mouth mimics breathing, by delivering oxygen to the lungs via the mouth. CPR is the second link in the Chain of Survival. It is the link that can buy life-saving time between the first (early access to emergency care) and third link (early defibrillation).

Can you get sued if you're not CPR certified?

Although it may be possible to be sued for CPR without any certification, the risk is minimal in consideration of Good Samaritan laws. Such laws provide immunity from negligence suits for persons who render emergency assistance. But if one acts with gross negligence, they can be sued.

Do I get paid more if I am CPR certified?

However, studies have shown that individuals who hold this certification tend to earn more than their non-certified counterparts. The exact amount may vary from one industry to another, but it is safe to say that investing in your skillset through obtaining a CPR/BLS certification can pay off financially.

Is CPR still 30 to 2?

Give two breaths after every 30 chest compressions. If two people are doing CPR, give 1 to 2 breaths after every 15 chest compressions. Continue CPR until you see signs of life or until medical help arrives.

What are common CPR mistakes?

Not knowing how deep chest compressions should be is easily one of the most common CPR mistakes. In addition, shallow chest compressions aren't helpful either. In general, chest compressions should be around 2 to 2.4 inches deep for adults.

Is it difficult to get CPR certified?

No, CPR training isn't generally considered hard; it's designed to be learnable, focusing on core steps like scene safety, chest compressions (hard but vital), and rescue breaths, with high success rates (around 98%) for those completing courses, though mastering the physical exertion and precise steps takes practice and focus. The key challenge is applying knowledge under pressure, but hands-on practice makes it achievable for most people.
 

Is it worth it to be CPR certified?

CPR certification takes just a few short hours, but can help you add years to someone's life. Successful completion of an in-person or blended learning course gives you a two-year certification in adult and/or pediatric CPR.