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

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a physical technique you perform with your hands and mouth to keep blood and oxygen moving through a person's body when their heart stops beating or they stop breathing on their own. A CPR course is a hands-on class where an instructor shows you the correct hand position, compression depth, speed, and breathing technique, then watches you practice on a training dummy until you can do it without prompting.

Most courses last between two and four hours. You learn the steps in order, practice them repeatedly, and take a short written test or skills test at the end. If you pass, you receive a card that shows you completed the course—this card is valid for two years, after which you need to take the course again to stay current.

CPR is not the same as first aid. First aid teaches you how to treat cuts, burns, sprains, and other injuries. CPR is specifically for life-threatening situations where someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Many people take both courses together, but they are separate skills.

Key Takeaways

  • A CPR course teaches you to perform chest compressions at a specific depth and speed, and to deliver rescue breaths in the correct ratio.
  • The course is hands-on practice with a training dummy, not just lecture—you must demonstrate the skill before you pass.
  • Most courses take two to four hours and result in a card valid for two years.
  • CPR certification is required or strongly preferred for jobs in healthcare, childcare, coaching, and lifeguarding.
  • You can take CPR courses through the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or other certified training centers in your area.

What you learn in the classroom and on the dummy

The course begins with the signs that someone needs CPR: they are unresponsive (they do not wake up when you tap their shoulder and shout), and they are not breathing normally or are gasping. The instructor will teach you to check for these signs in the first 10 seconds.

Next, you learn the hand position. You place the heel of one hand on the center of the person's chest, place your other hand on top, and lock your elbows. You then push hard and fast straight down. The course teaches you to compress the chest at least 2 inches deep (for adults) at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Many instructors use a song—"Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees is a common choice—because the beat matches the correct compression speed.

After 30 compressions, you deliver two rescue breaths. You tilt the person's head back slightly, lift their chin, pinch their nose closed, seal your mouth over theirs, and blow for one second. You watch to see if their chest rises. If it does, the breath went in. If not, you reposition and try again. Then you return to compressions and repeat this cycle until emergency responders arrive or the person starts breathing on their own.

You practice this sequence on a training dummy over and over. The dummy has a hard plastic chest so you can feel the resistance and learn how much force is needed. Most dummies have a clicker or light that tells you when you have compressed deeply enough. By the end of the course, you should be able to do 30 compressions and 2 breaths without the instructor telling you when to switch.

Different types of CPR courses and what they cover

The most common course is BLS CPR, which stands for Basic Life Support. This is the standard course taught to the general public and to healthcare workers. It covers adult CPR, infant CPR (for babies under one year old), and child CPR (for children one to eight years old). The techniques are slightly different for each age group because infants and children have smaller bodies and different airway anatomy.

Some courses teach hands-only CPR, which skips the rescue breathing step entirely. You perform chest compressions continuously until help arrives. Research shows that for adults, hands-only CPR is as effective as CPR with rescue breaths, and it is easier to remember and perform under stress. This course is shorter and may be offered online with a brief in-person skills check.

Healthcare workers and some other professionals take ACLS CPR, which stands for Advanced Cardiac Life Support. This course covers BLS CPR plus the use of defibrillators, medications, and more complex scenarios. It requires you to already hold a current BLS card and takes longer—usually one full day.

Some workplaces or organizations offer workplace CPR courses tailored to their setting. A lifeguard course, for example, includes CPR but also covers water rescue and how to use rescue equipment. The CPR portion is the same, but it is taught alongside other skills you need for that job.

Who needs CPR certification and why

CPR certification is required for jobs in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and emergency services. Childcare centers, preschools, and schools often require it for teachers and staff. Lifeguards, swim instructors, fitness trainers, and coaches usually need it. Some employers in retail or office settings may ask for it, though it is less common.

Even if your job does not require it, taking a CPR course is useful. Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere—at home, at work, in a restaurant, or on the street. If you are present when someone collapses, knowing CPR could save their life while you wait for an ambulance. Many people take the course for peace of mind, especially if they have children or elderly relatives at home.

Your CPR card shows that you have been trained and tested. If you perform CPR on someone and they survive, or if something goes wrong, the card protects you legally in most places. Many states have Good Samaritan laws that protect people who try to help in an emergency, but having a current CPR card strengthens that protection.

How to find and register for a CPR course near you

The two largest CPR training organizations in the United States are the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. Both offer in-person courses at local chapters, hospitals, community centers, and training facilities. You can search their websites by zip code to find courses in your area and see the dates and times offered.

Many hospitals, fire departments, and community colleges also teach CPR courses. Call your local hospital or fire station to ask if they offer courses to the public. Community colleges often include CPR in their continuing education catalog and may charge less than the Red Cross or American Heart Association.

Some organizations now offer blended CPR courses that combine online learning with a short in-person skills session. You watch videos and take a quiz online, then come in for one to two hours to practice on a dummy and take the skills test. This option is faster and more flexible if you have a busy schedule.

When you register, you will need to bring a photo ID and arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move your arms freely. The course fee varies by location and organization—typically between $40 and $100 for a standard BLS course. Some employers pay for their employees' courses, so ask your workplace before you register.

What happens after you pass and how to stay current

When you pass the course, you receive a CPR card or certificate. This card is valid for two years from the date you complete the course. After two years, your certification expires and you need to take the course again to renew it.

You do not have to wait until your card expires to retake the course. Many people renew it after one year if they use it regularly in their job, or if they want a refresher. Some workplaces require annual recertification even though the card is valid for two years.

If your card expires and you need it for work, you can take a renewal course, which is usually shorter than the initial course—often one to two hours instead of three to four. A renewal course reviews the same skills but assumes you have taken CPR before, so there is less explanation and more practice.

CPR guidelines change periodically as medical research produces new evidence. The American Heart Association updates its guidelines every five years. When you renew your certification, you learn any changes that have been made since your last course. This is one reason why staying current matters—you want to know the most recent, evidence-based technique.

Common mistakes people make during CPR and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is not compressing hard or fast enough. People are often afraid of hurting the person, so they use too little force or go too slowly. In reality, a person in cardiac arrest is already dying. Compressions that are too shallow or too slow will not move enough blood to the brain and heart. The instructor will tell you during practice if you are not going deep enough—listen to that feedback and push harder.

Another mistake is stopping compressions for too long. Some people pause to check if the person is breathing, or they stop to deliver rescue breaths and take too long doing it. The goal is to minimize interruptions. Compressions should restart within 10 seconds of stopping. If you are doing hands-only CPR, you do not stop at all until help arrives or the person starts breathing.

People also sometimes forget the correct hand position or let their elbows bend during compressions. Bent elbows reduce the force you can explore. Keep your elbows locked and your shoulders directly over your hands so you are pushing straight down, not at an angle.

Finally, some people hesitate to start CPR because they are not sure if the person really needs it. The rule is straightforward: if someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR. If you are wrong and they do not need it, the worst outcome is that you performed unnecessary compressions. If you are right and you do not start CPR, they will die. Always err on the side of starting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to take the course in person, or can I do it online?

Most CPR courses require an in-person skills check because an instructor must watch you perform compressions and breaths on a dummy to make sure you are doing them correctly. Some organizations offer blended courses where you watch videos online and then come in for a short in-person session. Fully online CPR courses without any in-person component are not recognized by most employers or organizations.

What if I fail the skills test?

If you do not pass the skills test on your first try, most instructors will let you practice more and try again the same day at no extra cost. The test is not designed to be difficult—it is designed to make sure you can perform the technique safely. If you fail, the instructor will show you what you did wrong and give you another chance.

Can I take CPR if I have a physical disability or injury?

Yes. Tell the instructor about your disability or injury before the course starts. They can modify the course to teach you what you can do or show you how to direct someone else to perform CPR while you manage other tasks. The goal is to teach you to help in an emergency in whatever way you are able.

How much does a CPR course cost?

CPR courses typically cost between $40 and $100 for a standard BLS course, depending on the organization and your location. Renewal courses are usually cheaper, between $30 and $60. Some employers, schools, or community organizations offer free or discounted courses to their employees or members. Ask your workplace or local community center if they have a course available.

What is the difference between CPR and first aid?

CPR is for someone whose heart has stopped or who has stopped breathing. First aid is for injuries and illnesses like cuts, burns, sprains, choking, and shock. Many people take both courses together, but they teach different skills. You can take one without the other, though many employers prefer you to have both.