Finding a CPR class in your area is easier than it used to be. The two largest CPR certification providers — the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Red Cross — both offer online class locators that let you search for in-person, blended, or fully online courses by zip code. A few minutes of searching will typically surface multiple class options within a reasonable distance.
The AHA's training center locator at cpr.heart.org allows you to search for authorized training center locations near you. You can filter by course type — Heartsaver CPR/AED (for the general public and lay rescuers), BLS (Basic Life Support, for healthcare providers), ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support), and others. AHA training centers include hospitals, community organizations, fire stations, fitness centers, and dedicated training facilities.
The Red Cross class finder at redcross.org/take-a-class lets you search by zip code and course type. Red Cross also partners with workplaces, schools, and community organizations to offer on-site training. Red Cross offers both in-person and blended learning (online + skills session) for most of its CPR and first aid courses.
Beyond the major providers, CPR classes are frequently offered through: community hospitals and medical centers, local fire departments (many offer free or low-cost community CPR training), YMCA and community recreation centers, employer-sponsored training programs, nursing and allied health schools, and workplace safety training companies. For healthcare workers, employer HR departments often coordinate required CPR certification renewals and can direct you to approved providers.
Several organizations provide nationally recognized CPR certifications. The two dominant providers are the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Red Cross, but other credible providers include the National Safety Council (NSC), ASHI (American Safety and Health Institute), and Medic First Aid. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right certification for your purpose.
The AHA is the most widely recognized CPR certification in clinical and healthcare settings. Hospitals, medical facilities, and many employers with healthcare workers specifically require AHA certification. The AHA's Healthcare Provider certification — Basic Life Support (BLS) — is the industry standard for nurses, medical assistants, EMTs, and other clinical professionals. AHA courses use the latest evidence-based guidelines for CPR technique, as the AHA updates its CPR science periodically. For non-clinical settings, the AHA's Heartsaver CPR/AED course covers adult, child, and infant CPR plus AED use in approximately 4 to 5 hours.
The Red Cross is the most common provider for non-healthcare CPR certification. Red Cross CPR/AED certification is widely accepted by employers in childcare, education, fitness, and community organizations. The Red Cross offers both fully in-person and blended learning courses that combine online study with an in-person skills session. Red Cross certification is typically valid for 2 years, the same as AHA certification. Childcare workers, lifeguards, fitness instructors, and school staff commonly hold Red Cross certification.
Fully online CPR certification programs are available from various providers, but there is an important caveat: CPR certification from online-only courses without hands-on skills practice is not accepted by most employers, healthcare facilities, or licensing boards. The reason is practical — CPR is a physical skill that requires supervised practice to perform correctly. AHA and Red Cross blended courses combine online learning with an in-person skills validation session, which is the minimum standard most employers accept for 'legitimate' CPR certification. Be cautious of providers offering fully online certification at very low prices — verify whether your employer or licensing board will accept the credential.
CPR training is offered in several formats. The right format depends on your purpose, schedule, and what certification your employer or licensing board requires.
In-person CPR classes are taught by a certified instructor in a classroom or training facility with CPR manikins and AED trainers. Students learn and practice chest compressions, rescue breathing, and AED operation under direct instructor supervision. In-person classes typically last 3 to 8 hours depending on the course type (basic Heartsaver vs. full BLS vs. first aid combination). Traditional in-person classes provide the most comprehensive skills practice and are required for healthcare provider certification.
Blended learning courses combine online self-paced study (typically 1 to 3 hours of video and interactive content) with a shorter in-person skills validation session (typically 1 to 2 hours). The online portion covers the knowledge content — when to call 911, CPR ratios, AED steps, and the chain of survival. The in-person skills session has the student demonstrate chest compressions, rescue breathing, and AED use on manikins with an instructor providing feedback. Blended courses offer more scheduling flexibility and are accepted by most employers for non-clinical CPR certification. The AHA's HeartCode BLS (for healthcare providers) uses this blended format.
Many employers arrange CPR training for groups of employees, either by bringing a certified instructor on-site or enrolling employees in group courses at a training center. Group training is often more cost-effective per participant than individual enrollment. If your employer requires CPR certification, ask your HR department whether group training is arranged — you may be able to get certified at no personal cost during work hours.
Many fire departments, hospitals, and community health organizations offer free Hands-Only CPR training (chest compressions only, no rescue breathing) to community members. Hands-Only CPR is the recommended technique for untrained bystanders responding to adult cardiac arrest. While Hands-Only CPR training does not result in a formal certification card, it provides the most important skill for responding to witnessed cardiac arrests in public settings.
CPR class costs vary by provider, format, geographic location, and course type. Here are typical price ranges to help you plan:
Community or lay rescuer CPR classes (Heartsaver CPR/AED from AHA or standard CPR/AED from Red Cross) typically cost between $30 and $80 for individual enrollment. Some providers include first aid training in combination courses, which may cost $60 to $100. Online preparation materials are included in the enrollment fee for blended courses.
AHA BLS (Basic Life Support) for healthcare providers typically costs $60 to $100 depending on location and whether you are renewing versus completing initial certification. Many hospitals, medical schools, and clinical employers cover BLS certification costs for employees and students as part of onboarding.
Look for free or reduced-cost CPR training through: local fire department community education programs, hospital-sponsored community health events, American Heart Association local chapter events, and employer-provided training (especially for healthcare workers and teachers). YMCA and community center memberships often include discounted CPR/first aid training for members.
First-time CPR students often wonder what the class experience is like. Here is what to expect at a typical in-person CPR/AED course:
A standard adult CPR/AED class covers: recognizing when someone has stopped breathing or lost a pulse; calling 911 and activating emergency services; performing chest compressions (rate of 100 to 120 per minute, depth of at least 2 inches for adults); delivering rescue breaths (optional in Hands-Only CPR, required in full CPR); using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) — turning it on, placing pads, and following its audio prompts; and performing infant and child CPR (different compression depth and rates for smaller bodies). Most courses also address choking response (abdominal thrusts for adults, back blows for infants).
After brief instruction, you will practice on CPR manikins. Instructors observe your technique and provide feedback on compression depth, rate, hand placement, and rescue breathing seal. This hands-on practice is the core value of in-person CPR training — it builds muscle memory and confidence to perform CPR effectively in an emergency. Most students find the practice portion physically demanding — chest compressions performed correctly require significant force and can fatigue untrained rescuers quickly.
After successfully completing all required skills and a brief written assessment (most courses include a simple knowledge check), you receive a certification card from the training provider (AHA or Red Cross). This card indicates your name, certification type, and expiration date (typically 2 years). Many employers require a photocopy of this card for their records. Keep the card in your wallet — you will need it for employment verification.