Where to find your CPR certification record

The organisation that issued your CPR card keeps the official record. If you took the course through the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or a hospital or workplace training program, that organisation holds your certification details — not a central government database. You will need to contact them directly with your name, date of birth, and the approximate year you completed the course.

Start by checking your email for a confirmation message from the training provider. Many organisations send a digital copy of your certificate or a reference number you can use to look up your record. If you have that number, the lookup process takes minutes. If not, you will need to call or visit the provider's website and request a verification.

Key Takeaways

  • Your CPR certification is held by the organisation that trained you — Red Cross, American Heart Association, or your employer — not by a government agency.
  • Check your email first for a digital certificate or reference number that lets you look up your record online.
  • If you cannot find your confirmation email, contact the training provider directly with your name, date of birth, and the year you completed the course.
  • Most providers can verify your certification status by phone or through their website within one business day.
  • If you cannot locate the original provider, you may need to retake the course, as there is no national registry to search.

Looking up your record with the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross allows you to search for your certification online through their verification portal. Go to redcross.org and look for the "Verify a Certificate" or "Check Certification Status" option. You will enter your name, date of birth, and the certification ID number if you have it. The search returns your certification type, issue date, and expiration date.

If you do not have your certification ID, call the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 and provide your name and the year you took the course. A representative can search their records and email you a copy of your certificate or confirm the details over the phone. Processing usually takes one business day.

Looking up your record with the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association stores certifications through their HeartCode system and partner training centers. Visit heart.org and select "Verify a Certificate" to search by name and date of birth. You can also enter your course completion card number if you have it. The system shows your certification type, completion date, and expiration date when ready.

If the online search does not find your record, contact the training center where you took the course directly — they may have issued the certification under a slightly different name or spelling. The American Heart Association does not maintain a single phone line for verification, so you will need to reach out to the specific center listed on your original paperwork.

Looking up certifications from your workplace or hospital

If you completed CPR training through your employer, hospital, or a local training center, contact the human resources department or the training coordinator directly. Provide your name, employee ID if applicable, and the year you completed the course. They can pull your record from their internal system and send you a copy of your certificate or a letter confirming your certification status.

Workplace records are sometimes kept separately from national databases, so this is often the fastest route if you know where you trained. Ask for a printed or digital copy of your certificate for your own records — this prevents delays if you need to verify your status again later.

What to do if you cannot find your original provider

If you do not remember which organisation trained you or cannot locate them after searching, there is no national CPR registry you can check. Your options are to contact the human resources or training department of any workplace where you held the certification, or to retake the course with a current provider.

Retaking the course is often the most practical choice if your certification has expired anyway. A new course takes four to six hours and costs between $50 and $150 depending on the provider and location. You will receive a new card and digital record when ready upon completion, and you will have current certification rather than trying to verify an old one.

Understanding CPR certification expiration and renewal

CPR certifications from the American Red Cross and American Heart Association are valid for two years from the date of completion. After two years, your certification expires and is no longer valid. You cannot straightforward renew an expired certification — you must retake the full course or take a renewal course if your provider offers one.

Some employers require you to maintain current CPR certification as a condition of employment. If your certification has expired, check with your workplace about whether you need to recertify when ready or whether there is a grace period. Many employers will cover the cost of recertification if it is required for your job.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I look up someone else's CPR certification?

No. The American Red Cross and American Heart Association do not release certification information to third parties without the certificate holder's permission. If you need to verify an employee's CPR status, ask them for a copy of their current certificate or contact your human resources department.

What if my name has changed since I took the course?

Contact the training provider and explain the name change. Provide both your old and new names, your date of birth, and the year you completed the course. They can search their records under either name and update their system if needed before sending you a new copy of your certificate.

How long does it take to get a copy of my certificate?

If you search online and find your record, you can usually read or print a copy when ready. If you call the provider, they typically email or mail a copy within one to two business days. Some organisations charge a small fee for replacement certificates, usually between $5 and $15.

Do I need my original card to verify my certification?

No. Your certification is recorded in the training provider's system, so you can look it up by name and date of birth even if you have lost the physical card. However, having your certification ID number from the card speeds up the search.

What happens if my CPR certification expired?

An expired certification is no longer valid and cannot be used in a workplace or healthcare setting. You will need to retake the full CPR course to regain certification. Some providers offer renewal courses that are shorter and less expensive than the full course if you recertify within a certain timeframe after expiration.