What you need to do to teach CPR through the American Heart Association

To become an American Heart Association (AHA) CPR instructor, you must first complete an AHA CPR course as a student, then take a separate instructor course and pass a written exam and skills test. The AHA does not issue instructor certifications directly—instead, an authorized training center in your area reviews your qualifications and grants you the right to teach under their name. You will need to maintain current CPR certification yourself, complete instructor-specific training, and renew your status every two years or when your certification expires.

The path takes roughly four to six weeks from start to finish, though the timeline depends on how quickly you can schedule courses and find a training center that will sponsor you. Most people complete the student course first, then the instructor course within a few weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • You must hold a current AHA CPR certification before you can take an instructor course, and you must renew it every two years.
  • The instructor course itself covers teaching methods, practice scenarios, and how to run a classroom—not just CPR skills.
  • An authorized AHA training center must sponsor you; the AHA does not certify instructors directly, only through centers.
  • You will need to pass both a written exam and a practical skills demonstration to become an instructor.
  • Instructor status requires renewal every two years, and you must keep your own CPR certification current or you lose teaching rights.

Step 1: Get your CPR certification as a student first

Before you can teach CPR, you must be certified in CPR yourself through an AHA course. This is a one-day course (usually four to six hours) where you learn chest compressions, rescue breathing, and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). You will practice on a mannequin and demonstrate the skills to an instructor before you pass.

You can take this course at a hospital, community college, fire department, or any authorized AHA training center. Search for "AHA CPR course near me" or visit the AHA's training center locator on their website to find a class in your area. The cost varies by location but typically ranges from $50 to $150. Your certification lasts two years from the date you pass.

Once you hold this certification, you are may be able to access to enroll in an instructor course. Do not wait to explore for instructor training—you can register for the instructor course while you are still in your student class or when ready after you pass.

Step 2: Enroll in an AHA instructor course

The instructor course is separate from the student course and teaches you how to teach CPR, not how to perform it. The course covers classroom management, how to give feedback to students, how to set up practice stations, documentation requirements, and the AHA's standards for what instructors must cover. You will also learn how to use the AHA's instructor materials and how to run a skills test fairly.

Most instructor courses run one to two days and are offered by authorized AHA training centers. You will need to contact a training center directly to enroll—the AHA does not run these courses themselves. Ask the center whether they will sponsor you as an instructor after you complete the course. Not all training centers sponsor new instructors, so confirm this before you pay.

The cost of an instructor course varies widely, from $200 to $500 or more, depending on the training center and whether materials are included. Some centers bundle the student course and instructor course together at a discount.

Step 3: Pass the instructor exam and skills test

At the end of the instructor course, you will take a written exam covering the material from the course—classroom techniques, AHA standards, documentation, and CPR knowledge. The exam is usually 50 to 75 multiple-choice questions, and you must score at least 84 percent to pass. You typically have one or two attempts.

You will also demonstrate CPR skills in front of an instructor to show you can perform the techniques correctly and teach them to others. This is not a separate test but part of the course itself. If you do not pass the skills portion, the training center will tell you what to practice and may allow you to retake it.

Once you pass both the written exam and the skills test, the training center will issue you an instructor card or letter confirming your status. This document shows that you are authorized to teach CPR under that training center's name.

Step 4: Find a training center to sponsor you

The AHA does not issue instructor certifications directly. Instead, an authorized training center must sponsor you and allow you to teach under their credentials. Some training centers will sponsor you automatically after you complete their instructor course. Others require you to work for them or meet additional requirements.

If the training center that taught your course will not sponsor you, you will need to find another one that will. Contact hospitals, community colleges, fire departments, and private CPR training companies in your area and ask whether they sponsor independent instructors. Some centers pay instructors per class; others require you to be an employee.

Once a training center agrees to sponsor you, they will register you in the AHA's system, and you can begin teaching CPR classes under their authorization. You will use their materials, follow their scheduling, and report your class rosters to them.

Maintaining your instructor status

Your instructor status is tied to your CPR certification. If your CPR certification expires, your instructor status expires too, even if you have not reached the two-year renewal important date. You must renew your CPR certification before it lapses by taking a CPR renewal course (usually a shorter, one-hour class) or a full CPR course again.

Every two years, you must also renew your instructor status through your training center. The renewal process varies by center but usually involves taking a brief refresher course or passing a short exam. Some centers require you to teach a minimum number of classes per year to maintain sponsorship—ask your center what their requirements are.

If you change training centers or want to teach independently, you will need to find a new center to sponsor you. The AHA does not allow instructors to teach without a training center's authorization.

What to expect as a CPR instructor

As an instructor, you will teach CPR classes to groups of students, administer skills tests, keep attendance records, and report results to your training center. Classes are usually two to four hours long and include both classroom instruction and hands-on practice. You will need to maintain the training space, check mannequins and AED trainers for proper function, and follow AHA guidelines for class size and student-to-instructor ratios.

Most instructors teach part-time while working another job, though some work full-time for hospitals or training companies. Pay varies widely depending on whether you are an employee, a contractor, or a volunteer. Some instructors teach one or two classes per month; others teach several per week.

You will also be responsible for staying current on AHA guidelines. The AHA updates its CPR protocols periodically, and you must learn the changes to teach them correctly. Your training center will notify you of updates and may require you to take a refresher course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I teach CPR without going through the AHA?

Yes, other organizations like the Red Cross and the American Safety and Health Institute offer CPR instructor training. However, if you specifically want to teach AHA CPR, you must complete an AHA instructor course and be sponsored by an authorized AHA training center. Different organizations have different standards and materials.

How long does it take to become an AHA CPR instructor?

If you already hold a CPR certification, you can complete the instructor course in one to two days. If you need to get certified first, add four to six hours for the student course. Finding a training center to sponsor you may take another week or two, depending on availability in your area.

What happens if my CPR certification expires?

Your instructor status automatically expires when your CPR certification expires. You cannot teach until you renew your CPR certification. Renew before your expiration date by taking a CPR renewal course, which is shorter than the full course and usually takes about one hour.

Do I need to work for a hospital or training company to be an instructor?

No, but you do need a training center to sponsor you. Some centers sponsor independent instructors who teach classes on their own schedule. Others require you to be an employee or contractor. Ask potential training centers about their sponsorship model before you enroll in the instructor course.

Can I teach CPR online?

The AHA allows blended learning for some CPR courses, where students watch videos online and then come to a training center for hands-on skills practice. However, you cannot teach the hands-on portion remotely—students must practice chest compressions and other skills in person with an instructor present.