A CPR course teaches you how to perform chest compressions and rescue breathing on someone whose heart has stopped

A CPR course is a hands-on class where an instructor shows you the physical steps to restart someone's heart and keep blood flowing to their brain until emergency responders arrive. You learn where to place your hands on the chest, how hard to push, how fast to push, and when to give rescue breaths. Most courses last between three and eight hours, depending on whether you're taking a basic class or one that includes additional skills like using an automated external defibrillator (AED).

The course is not a test you pass or fail in the traditional sense. Instead, you practice the techniques on a mannequin under the instructor's watch, and at the end you demonstrate that you can perform CPR correctly. If you do, you receive a certificate valid for two years. If you don't meet the standard on your first try, most instructors will let you practice more and try again before you leave.

Key Takeaways

  • CPR courses teach chest compressions and rescue breathing through hands-on practice with a mannequin, not through video or reading alone.
  • A certificate from a CPR course is valid for two years, after which you can take a refresher course to renew it.
  • Different organizations—the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, and others—offer CPR courses, and their certificates are recognized by employers and healthcare facilities.
  • Many workplaces, schools, and volunteer positions require or strongly encourage CPR certification as a condition of employment or participation.
  • You can take a CPR course at hospitals, community centers, fire departments, gyms, and through online platforms that combine video instruction with in-person skills testing.

The two main types of CPR courses and what each covers

The most common course is Basic Life Support (BLS), which teaches CPR for adults and includes the use of an AED. This is what most workplaces require. You learn to recognize when someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, how to call 911, how to position the person on their back, and how to perform chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. The course also covers rescue breathing—tilting the head back, lifting the chin, and breathing into the person's mouth—though some instructors now emphasize compressions alone if you're uncomfortable with rescue breathing.

The second type is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Healthcare Providers, which is more detailed and is required for nurses, doctors, paramedics, and other medical staff. This course covers CPR for adults, children, and infants, and includes more information about when to stop CPR and how to work as part of a team during a cardiac emergency. It also covers the use of bag-valve-mask devices and other equipment you might encounter in a hospital or ambulance.

Some courses combine CPR with First Aid training, which teaches you how to respond to bleeding, choking, broken bones, and other injuries. A combined CPR and First Aid course typically takes six to eight hours. You can also take CPR-only courses that last three to four hours.

Who offers CPR courses and where to find one

The American Red Cross and the American Heart Association are the two largest organizations that teach CPR in the United States. Both offer in-person classes and blended courses (online instruction plus in-person skills testing). Red Cross courses are often available through community centers, hospitals, fire departments, and gyms. American Heart Association courses are common at hospitals and medical training centers.

Many local fire departments and emergency medical services (EMS) agencies also teach CPR courses, often at lower cost than national organizations. Your employer may offer CPR training on-site or reimburse you for taking a course elsewhere. If you need CPR certification quickly, some providers offer same-day or next-day courses in major cities.

Online CPR courses exist, but they vary in quality and recognition. Most legitimate online courses combine video instruction with a requirement to visit a testing center or have an instructor observe your skills via video call. Be cautious of courses that claim to award a certificate without any hands-on demonstration—those certificates are unlikely to be accepted by employers or healthcare facilities.

What to expect during a CPR course

When you arrive, the instructor will explain what happens during cardiac arrest and why CPR matters. You'll watch a demonstration of chest compressions and rescue breathing on a mannequin, then practice the same steps yourself. The instructor will correct your hand placement, compression depth, and pace. Most courses use a metronome or music to help you maintain the correct rhythm—100 to 120 compressions per minute is roughly the beat of the song "Stayin' Alive."

You'll also learn how to use an AED, which is a portable device that analyzes the heart rhythm and delivers an electric shock if needed. The instructor will show you how to turn it on, where to place the pads on the chest, and what to do while the machine is analyzing. Using an AED is straightforward—the device talks you through the steps—but practicing with one during the course builds confidence.

At the end of the course, you'll perform CPR on the mannequin while the instructor watches. You need to demonstrate correct hand placement, adequate compression depth (at least two inches), correct pace, and proper rescue breathing technique (if your course includes it). If you don't meet the standard, the instructor will give you feedback and let you try again. Once you pass, you receive your certificate.

How long a CPR certificate lasts and when to renew it

A CPR certificate is valid for two years from the date you complete the course. After two years, your certification expires and you will need to take a refresher course to renew it. Some employers check expiration dates and will not allow you to work if your certificate has lapsed.

A refresher course is shorter than the initial course—usually one to two hours—because you already know the basics. The instructor reviews the current guidelines, you practice on the mannequin again, and you demonstrate your skills one more time. Refresher courses cost less than initial courses and are widely available.

If your certificate has already expired, you can still take a refresher course rather than starting over with a full course. However, some organizations require you to retake the full course if your certificate has been expired for more than a certain period—check with the organization offering the course in your area.

Why employers and organizations require CPR certification

Many workplaces require CPR certification because employees may be the first person to find someone in cardiac arrest. Schools, gyms, swimming pools, summer camps, and childcare facilities often require staff to be CPR-certified. Healthcare facilities require it for nurses, doctors, paramedics, and other clinical staff. Some volunteer positions, such as coaching youth sports or working as a lifeguard, also require CPR certification.

The requirement exists because CPR performed in the first few minutes after cardiac arrest dramatically increases the chance of survival. A person whose heart has stopped has only minutes before brain damage begins. If you know CPR and start compressions when ready, you can keep blood flowing to the brain until the ambulance arrives.

If your job requires CPR certification, your employer may offer the course for free or pay for you to take it elsewhere. If you're looking for work in a field that requires it, taking a course before you explore can make you a stronger candidate.

The difference between CPR certification and first aid certification

CPR certification covers only cardiac arrest—recognizing it, calling 911, and performing chest compressions and rescue breathing. First Aid certification covers a broader range of emergencies: severe bleeding, choking, broken bones, burns, shock, and poisoning. First Aid teaches you how to stop bleeding with pressure and a tourniquet, how to perform the Heimlich maneuver for choking, how to immobilize a broken arm or leg, and how to recognize signs of shock.

Many people take both certifications together in a combined course, which takes longer but covers more ground. If your job requires only CPR, a CPR-only course is sufficient. If you work in a setting where you might encounter a variety of injuries—such as a school, camp, or gym—a combined CPR and First Aid course is more useful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be in good physical shape to take a CPR course?

No. CPR courses are designed for people of all fitness levels. If you have a physical limitation that prevents you from performing chest compressions, tell the instructor before the course starts. They can modify the practice or discuss alternative roles you might take in a cardiac emergency, such as calling 911 or retrieving an AED.

What if I'm uncomfortable giving rescue breathing?

Many instructors now teach hands-only CPR, which is chest compressions without rescue breathing. Research shows that for adults, compressions alone are nearly as effective as compressions plus breathing, especially if you're untrained or uncomfortable. Tell your instructor if you prefer this approach, and they can adjust the course accordingly.

Can I take a CPR course online?

Online courses exist, but they must include a hands-on skills check to be recognized by employers. A legitimate online CPR course combines video instruction with either an in-person visit to a testing center or a video call with an instructor who watches you perform CPR. Certificates from courses with no hands-on component are not widely accepted.

How much does a CPR course cost?

Costs vary by location and organization. Red Cross and American Heart Association courses typically range from $50 to $150 for a basic CPR course. Community centers and fire departments may charge less. Some employers offer free courses to employees. Refresher courses cost less than initial courses.

What happens if I forget how to do CPR after I get certified?

That's why refresher courses exist. If you haven't used CPR in a while, take a refresher course before your certificate expires. The course is short and inexpensive, and it brings your skills back to current. If your certificate has already expired, you can still take a refresher course to renew it.