If a school, clinical site or employer tells you to get CPR certified, ask one more question before you register: Which course name do you need?
American Heart Association BLS Provider and Heartsaver CPR, AED and First Aid are different courses. Both teach lifesaving skills, but they are designed for different audiences and requirements. Choosing by the exact course name can save you from completing a class that your program does not accept.
The quickest way to choose
If your paperwork says BLS Provider, Basic Life Support or healthcare provider CPR, start with an AHA BLS class. If it says CPR, AED and First Aid and does not require BLS, an AHA Heartsaver class may be the correct choice.
Do not rely on a general phrase such as CPR certification when your school or employer lists a specific course. Check the exact wording, the required issuing organization, whether hands-on skills are required and the date by which your card must be valid.
What is AHA BLS Provider?
The American Heart Association says its BLS course is designed for healthcare professionals, trained first responders and people enrolled in healthcare training programs. The course focuses on high-quality CPR, AED use and team response skills for adults, children and infants.
LP Health Directions offers AHA BLS Provider classes in Phoenix and Tucson. The scheduled Initial class is four hours and $50. The Renewal class is three hours and $50. An eligible renewal student may take either Renewal or Initial if the Initial schedule works better.
What is AHA Heartsaver?
The American Heart Association describes Heartsaver courses as training for people with little or no medical training who need First Aid, CPR and AED instruction for a job or regulatory requirement, or who want to be prepared for an emergency.
LP Health Directions offers the four-hour AHA Heartsaver CPR, AED and First Aid class for $60 in Phoenix and Tucson. It includes adult, child and infant skills and provides a two-year AHA eCard after successful completion.
What do different students and workers usually need?
The exact rule can vary by school, employer and clinical placement. Use these examples as a starting point, then confirm the written requirement before booking.
Nursing and medical students
Programs and clinical sites commonly specify AHA BLS Provider because students may train in healthcare settings. If your paperwork names BLS, a Heartsaver card is not the same course.
CNA and phlebotomy students
Requirements vary. Some programs require BLS Provider, while others request CPR and First Aid. Ask the program for the exact course name and whether it must be issued by the American Heart Association.
Dental students and dental teams
Dental programs and workplaces may specify BLS Provider. Confirm the exact requirement with your school, employer or licensing contact instead of choosing a course only because it includes CPR.
Home-health workers
Home-health agencies may request BLS Provider, Heartsaver CPR and First Aid, or another course based on the worker’s role and the agency’s policy. Ask which course name and issuing organization must appear on the card.
Can I take a blended course?
Yes, when your requirement permits it. In blended learning, you complete the online modules before attending an in-person skills assessment. You must bring the certificate of completion you receive after finishing the modules.
For BLS, the American Heart Association calls its blended course HeartCode BLS. AHA states that its classroom and blended BLS formats lead to the same BLS course completion eCard after all requirements are met. Heartsaver also has classroom and blended options. Review LP Health Directions blended learning options if that format better fits your schedule.
What should I verify before booking?
- The exact course name required.
- Whether the card must be issued by the American Heart Association.
- Whether an in-person skills session is required.
- Whether you qualify for a renewal class.
- The deadline and expiration rules for your school, employer or clinical site.
If the requirement is still unclear, send LP Health Directions a copy of the wording through the contact page. We can explain the courses we offer, but the school, employer or clinical site makes the final acceptance decision.
Choose your class date
Once you know which course you need, view the current AHA BLS class dates or Phoenix and Tucson booking choices. Select the city, course and date that match your requirement.