BLS Certification Is a Card That Shows You Know CPR and First Aid for Adults

BLS stands for Basic Life Support. When the American Heart Association issues you a BLS card, it means you have completed a course and passed a test showing you can perform CPR on an adult, use an automated external defibrillator (AED), and give first aid for choking. The card is valid for two years from the date you pass the course.

The American Heart Association is a nonprofit organization that sets the standards for CPR and emergency cardiovascular care taught in the United States. Their BLS course is the most widely recognized version, though other organizations like the Red Cross also teach similar skills. Most hospitals, clinics, and emergency services require or prefer the American Heart Association version specifically.

You do not need BLS certification to take a CPR class or learn these skills. But if your job requires proof that you know CPR—or if you want to show an employer you have been trained—you need the card that comes with passing the American Heart Association course and exam.

Key Takeaways

  • BLS certification from the American Heart Association proves you can perform CPR on adults, use an AED, and respond to choking.
  • The card is valid for two years and is the version most hospitals and healthcare employers require or prefer.
  • You must complete a classroom course, practice the skills with an instructor watching, and pass a written and skills test to earn the card.
  • The course takes four to six hours and costs between $50 and $150 depending on where you take it.
  • After your card expires, you can renew it by taking a shorter renewal course instead of the full course again.

What You Learn in a BLS Course

A BLS course covers how to recognize when someone is in cardiac arrest, how to start chest compressions at the right depth and speed, and how to use an AED. You also learn how to open an airway, give rescue breaths, and respond if someone is choking. The course includes video instruction, practice on a mannequin, and feedback from an instructor.

The American Heart Association updates its guidelines every five years based on new research. The most recent major update was in 2020. If you took a course before that, your current card still counts as valid until it expires, but the techniques taught may have changed slightly.

You will practice on a training mannequin, not on a real person. The instructor will watch you perform CPR and use the AED and will correct your hand position, compression depth, and pace. You need to show you can do these skills correctly before you move to the test.

How to Get Your BLS Card

You take a course at a location that the American Heart Association has authorized to teach BLS. These include hospitals, community colleges, fire departments, American Red Cross chapters, and private training companies. You can search for courses near you on the American Heart Association website by entering your zip code.

On the day of the course, bring a photo ID and arrive early. The course runs four to six hours depending on whether it is a full course or a renewal. You will watch videos, practice on a mannequin with an instructor, and then take a written test and a skills test. The skills test means performing CPR and using an AED while an instructor watches and scores you.

If you pass both tests, you receive your BLS card on the same day or within a few days. The card shows your name, the date you passed, and the expiration date (two years from the date you passed). You will also receive a wallet-sized version you can carry with you.

Who Needs BLS Certification

Healthcare workers—nurses, doctors, paramedics, dentists, and physician assistants—are required by law in most states to hold current BLS certification. Hospitals and clinics will not hire or keep someone in a clinical role without it. Lifeguards, personal trainers, and fitness instructors often need it as well.

Some jobs do not require BLS but prefer it or will pay you more if you have it. These include security guards, teachers, coaches, and childcare workers. If you are explore for a job and the posting says "BLS preferred" or "BLS a plus," having the card can make your process stronger.

You may also want BLS certification for personal reasons—to feel confident helping in an emergency, or because someone you care for is at higher risk. There is no rule saying you must have it; it is a choice based on your situation.

Cost and Time to Get Certified

A full BLS course costs between $50 and $150 depending on where you take it. Hospitals sometimes offer free or low-cost courses to their employees. Community colleges and fire departments often charge less than private training companies. The American Heart Association does not set the price; each training center does.

The course itself takes four to six hours. Some training centers offer it in one session; others split it across two shorter sessions. A few offer online video instruction followed by an in-person skills and test session, which can save time if you live far from a training center.

If your card is about to expire and you want to renew it, a renewal course is shorter—usually two to three hours—and costs $30 to $100. You can renew up to two months before your card expires. If your card has already expired, you must take the full course again, not the renewal.

What Happens When Your Card Expires

Your BLS card is valid for exactly two years from the date you pass the course. After that date, the card is no longer current. If your job requires BLS, you cannot work in that role once your card expires, even if you only miss the important date by one day.

To renew, you take a shorter renewal course at an authorized training center. You do not have to retake the full course. The renewal course reviews the same skills and includes a shorter written test and skills test. Once you pass, you receive a new card valid for another two years.

If you let your card expire and do not renew it within a reasonable time, you will need to take the full course again to get recertified. Some employers will let you take the renewal course within 30 days of expiration; others require you to take the full course. Check your employer's policy before your card expires.

BLS Certification Versus Other CPR Cards

The American Heart Association is one organization that teaches CPR and issues cards. The Red Cross is another major one. Both teach similar skills and both cards are widely accepted, but they are not the same card. If your employer or job posting asks for "American Heart Association BLS," you need the American Heart Association card, not the Red Cross card.

Some training centers teach both versions. If you are unsure which one you need, ask your employer or the job posting before you sign up for a course. Taking the wrong course means you will have to take another one to get the card your employer requires.

There are also specialty BLS cards for pediatric CPR (infants and children) and for healthcare providers who need to know advanced skills. These are different courses with different cards. A standard adult BLS card does not cover pediatric CPR.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a BLS course online?

Some of the instruction can be online, but you must do the skills practice and test in person with an instructor. You cannot pass the skills test by video. Some training centers offer a blended model where you watch videos online and then come in for a shorter in-person session to practice and test.

What if I fail the test?

If you fail the written test or the skills test, you can retake it the same day or schedule another attempt within a short time frame. Most training centers allow one free retake. If you fail again, you may have to pay to take the course again or pay a retake fee.

Do I need to renew my BLS card if I don't use it for work?

No. If you are not working in a job that requires BLS, you do not have to renew it. Your card will expire, but there is no penalty. If you later need it for a job, you can take the full course again at that time.

Can I get BLS certification if I have a disability or injury?

Talk to the training center before you sign up. Instructors can sometimes modify the skills test or provide accommodations so you can show you understand the material. The training center will work with you to find a solution if one is possible.

How long does it take to get my card after I pass the course?

Most training centers give you the card the same day you pass. Some mail it within a few days. Ask the training center when you sign up. If you need the card by a specific date for a job, tell them in advance so you know when to expect it.