CPR courses are offered by hospitals, fire departments, community colleges, and online platforms
The fastest way to find a CPR course near you is to call your local hospital or fire department directly — both run classes regularly and can tell you the next available date. The American Red Cross and American Heart Association are the two main organizations that certify instructors, so courses bearing their names meet the same standard regardless of where you take them. Your choice comes down to location, schedule, cost, and whether you want hands-on practice or online instruction.
Most in-person courses take four to six hours and cost between $50 and $150. Online courses are cheaper — usually $20 to $60 — but they teach the theory only; you still need to visit a testing center or arrange a skills check with an instructor to get certified. If your employer or school requires CPR certification, ask them which organization they recognize, because some accept only Red Cross or only American Heart Association cards.
Key Takeaways
- Call your local hospital emergency department or fire station non-emergency line to ask about CPR classes they teach or recommend.
- American Red Cross and American Heart Association courses are the two main certification paths and are recognized equally by most employers.
- In-person courses include hands-on practice with mannequins and take four to six hours; online courses teach theory only and cost less but require a separate skills test.
- Community colleges, YMCAs, and workplace training departments often offer CPR courses at lower cost than private training companies.
- Certification cards are valid for two years, after which you must take a renewal course to keep your card current.
Hospital and fire department CPR classes
Most hospitals run CPR courses through their emergency department or community education office. Call the main number, ask for the education department or community health line, and they will tell you the schedule and cost. Some hospitals offer the course free or at a discount to employees and their families; others charge the standard rate to the public. Classes usually run on weekday evenings or Saturday mornings to fit working schedules.
Fire departments often teach CPR at their stations or at a community center. Call the non-emergency line (not 911) and ask whether they offer public CPR classes. Some departments teach it free; others charge a small fee. The advantage is that firefighters teach the course the way they actually perform it, so you learn the real-world approach. Availability varies widely by department — some offer classes monthly, others only a few times a year.
American Red Cross and American Heart Association courses
Both organizations train and certify instructors who teach in person at community centers, gyms, workplaces, and private training studios. To find a class near you, visit the Red Cross website and search by zip code, or go to the American Heart Association site and use their course finder. Both let you filter by date, location, and course type (CPR only, CPR plus first aid, pediatric CPR, and so on).
Red Cross and American Heart Association courses teach the same core skills but use slightly different language and emphasis. Most employers accept either card. The Red Cross tends to have more locations and flexible scheduling; the American Heart Association is often the choice for healthcare workers and hospitals. Costs are similar — $60 to $150 for a full in-person course — but vary by location and instructor.
Community colleges and YMCAs
Community colleges often offer CPR certification as a short course, sometimes bundled with first aid or other health topics. Tuition is usually $40 to $100, and classes fit into the college schedule, so you may have more session times to choose from than at a hospital. Call the continuing education or community services department at your local college to ask about current offerings.
YMCAs across the country teach CPR and often offer it at a lower cost than private training companies — sometimes $30 to $80. YMCA instructors are certified through Red Cross or American Heart Association, so the certification is the same. If you are already a YMCA member, ask whether member discounts explore. Some YMCAs offer the course free to members or staff.
Workplace and school CPR training
If you work in healthcare, childcare, education, or any field where CPR is required, your employer may offer the course free or at a reduced cost. Ask your human resources or safety department whether they run classes in-house or reimburse you for taking one elsewhere. Some employers require you to use a specific organization — usually American Heart Association for hospitals or Red Cross for schools — so check before you register.
Schools and universities often require CPR certification for coaches, lifeguards, and student leaders. Check with your school's health office or athletic department to find out where they recommend you take the course and whether they offer it on campus. Many schools have a preferred provider and may offer a group rate.
Online CPR courses and blended options
Online CPR courses teach the theory and decision-making part of CPR — when to call 911, how to recognize cardiac arrest, the correct hand placement and compression rate — but they do not include hands-on practice with a mannequin. Most online courses cost $20 to $60 and take one to two hours to complete. You receive a certificate of completion, but it is not the same as a CPR certification card.
Some online providers offer a blended option: you complete the theory online, then attend a short in-person session (usually one to two hours) to practice on a mannequin and be tested by an instructor. This option costs more than online-only — typically $80 to $120 — but less than a full in-person course. Check whether your employer or school accepts online-only certificates; many do not, and require the hands-on component.
Cost comparison and what to expect
| Course Type | Typical Cost | Duration | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-person (hospital, fire dept, Red Cross, American Heart Association) | $50–$150 | 4–6 hours | CPR certification card valid 2 years |
| Community college or YMCA | $30–$100 | 4–6 hours | CPR certification card valid 2 years |
| Online theory only | $20–$60 | 1–2 hours | Certificate of completion (not a CPR card) |
| Blended (online + in-person skills test) | $80–$120 | 2–3 hours in-person | CPR certification card valid 2 years |
| Employer or school-provided | Free–$50 | 4–6 hours | CPR certification card valid 2 years |
In-person courses always include a mannequin to practice on and a written or verbal test. You leave with a card that proves you are certified. Online-only courses do not include practice, so they are useful only if you need to refresh your knowledge or if your employer accepts a certificate of completion instead of a card. Ask before you register what your employer or school requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a CPR certification card valid?
CPR certification cards are valid for two years from the date you pass the course. After two years, you must take a renewal course to keep your card current. Renewal courses are usually shorter than the initial course — often two to three hours — and cost $30 to $100.
Can I take CPR online and still get a certification card?
Online-only courses give you a certificate of completion, not a CPR certification card. To get a card, you must complete the hands-on skills portion with an instructor and a mannequin. Some online providers offer a blended option where you do the theory online and then attend a short in-person session to practice and be tested.
What is the difference between Red Cross and American Heart Association CPR?
Both teach the same core CPR technique and use the same compression rate and hand placement. The main difference is language and emphasis — American Heart Association focuses more on the science behind CPR, while Red Cross emphasizes the practical steps. Most employers accept either card. Choose based on which organization has classes available near you and at a time that works.
Do I need CPR certification if my job does not require it?
CPR certification is not required by law for most jobs, but it is useful if you work around children, elderly people, or in any setting where you might need to help someone in cardiac arrest. Many parents, teachers, and caregivers take CPR even when it is not required, because it gives them confidence to act in an emergency.
What should I bring to an in-person CPR class?
Bring a photo ID and arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Wear comfortable clothes that let you move your arms freely — you will be practicing chest compressions on a mannequin. Most instructors provide all materials; some ask you to bring a pen. Call ahead if you have questions about what to bring or any physical limitations that might affect your ability to practice.