If you’re searching for BLS classes near me, you may be wondering whether you have to spend an entire day in a traditional classroom. For applicable AHA BLS pathways, you can complete the required online learning first and then complete the required hands-on skills component during a scheduled Self-Guided Skills Session.
Citywide CPR is an American Heart Association Training Center offering AHA BLS certification and renewal options. Depending on what you need, you can choose BLS Online + Skills or BLS Skills Only and schedule the hands-on portion at a Citywide CPR CPR Verification Station™ learning center.
The important first step is making sure you select the BLS course format that matches your employer, school, clinical program or other applicable requirements.
How Do I Find BLS Classes Near Me?
Finding a BLS class is about more than choosing the closest location. Before registering, confirm that you’re selecting the appropriate American Heart Association BLS course and the correct format.
A simple approach is:
- Confirm you need AHA BLS. Check with your employer, school, clinical program or organization.
- Determine whether you need initial certification or renewal.
- Choose between Online + Skills and Skills Only.
- Find a convenient Citywide CPR location.
- Complete the applicable online coursework, if required.
- Attend your scheduled Self-Guided Skills Session.
- Practice and perform the required hands-on skills.
- Successfully complete the applicable course requirements and skills session.
- Receive your official AHA BLS eCard.
Citywide CPR has locations in multiple cities and states, giving participants options for finding a location and appointment that fits their schedule.
If you’re ready to look for an available training location, use Citywide CPR’s Find a Location resource.
Can I Take an AHA BLS Class Online and Complete Skills In Person?
Yes, for the applicable AHA BLS Online + Skills pathway.
BLS Online + Skills uses a blended-learning approach. You complete the applicable AHA online BLS coursework and then complete the required hands-on skills component at a scheduled skills session.
The online portion allows you to work through the applicable course material before arriving for your hands-on appointment. The skills session then gives you the opportunity to practice and perform skills using the required training equipment.
The two components work together:
Online learning → Hands-on skills session → Successful completion → AHA BLS eCard
Completing only the online portion does not replace the required hands-on component when the selected AHA pathway requires skills completion.
What Is BLS Online + Skills?
BLS Online + Skills is the appropriate pathway for someone who needs both the applicable AHA BLS online course and the hands-on skills component.
The process generally involves:
- Completing the applicable HeartCode BLS online learning
- Scheduling the hands-on skills session
- Arriving at the selected Citywide CPR location
- Completing the Self-Guided Skills Session
- Using the training equipment to practice and perform the required skills
- Successfully completing the applicable course requirements and skills session
- Receiving the official AHA BLS eCard
This can be especially useful for healthcare professionals and students who need to fit certification around work, school, clinical rotations or other responsibilities.
For additional preparation, Citywide CPR’s BLS Study Guide can help learners review BLS concepts before their course.
BLS Online + Skills vs. BLS Skills Only: Which Should I Choose?
This is one of the most important distinctions to understand when searching for BLS classes near me.
| Course option | Who is it for? | Online coursework | Hands-on skills |
| BLS Online + Skills | Someone who needs the applicable online course and skills component | Included | Required |
| BLS Skills Only | Someone who has already completed the applicable AHA HeartCode BLS online course | Already completed | Required |
When Should I Choose BLS Online + Skills?
Choose BLS Online + Skills when you still need to complete the applicable AHA HeartCode BLS online coursework.
This option combines the online learning with the required hands-on skills session.
If you’re not sure whether your existing certification qualifies you for Skills Only, verify what your employer, school or organization requires and make sure you have the appropriate HeartCode completion documentation.
When Should I Choose BLS Skills Only?
BLS Skills Only is for someone who has already completed the applicable AHA HeartCode BLS online course and needs the hands-on skills component.
You should have your HeartCode completion certificate available as required during registration.
An existing or previous BLS eCard is not automatically the same thing as completing the current HeartCode BLS online coursework required for a Skills Only pathway. If you have only an existing BLS card and have not completed the applicable online course, make sure you choose the pathway that includes the online learning.
What Happens During a Self-Guided BLS Skills Session?
A Citywide CPR Self-Guided Skills Session takes place at a CPR Verification Station™ learning center.
Instead of sitting through a traditional classroom session with an instructor physically standing beside you throughout the entire skills experience, you use the training equipment and follow the system’s instructions.
During the session, participants practice and perform skills while receiving real-time audio and visual feedback.
The technology can provide feedback on applicable CPR performance measurements, including areas such as:
- Compression rate
- Compression depth
- Chest recoil
- Ventilation performance
This feedback helps you understand how you’re performing and make adjustments during the skills experience.
Self-Guided does not mean unsupported. Citywide CPR support is available if you need assistance with the equipment or session.
Learn more about the process through Citywide CPR’s Self-Guided CPR Training resource.
What BLS Skills Will I Complete?
The applicable AHA BLS course covers hands-on CPR skills appropriate to the course requirements.
Depending on the course and applicable requirements, BLS training can involve adult, child and infant CPR skills, along with other elements of the BLS skills experience.
The hands-on portion matters because BLS certification is not simply an online knowledge course. When the selected pathway includes hands-on skills, participants must complete that component successfully.
Citywide CPR also provides a Skills Demonstration Video Library that can help participants become familiar with hands-on CPR skills and the training environment.
How Does Real-Time Feedback Help During BLS Training?
One advantage of the CPR Verification Station™ learning environment is the ability to receive real-time feedback while performing applicable CPR skills.
Instead of completing compressions without knowing how your performance compares with the required measurements, the system can provide audio and visual guidance as you work.
For example, feedback may help you recognize whether your compression depth, rate or recoil needs adjustment.
You can then make adjustments while you practice and perform skills during the session.
The technology provides guidance and feedback; it does not guarantee successful completion. Participants still need to meet the applicable course and skills requirements.
Who Typically Takes BLS Classes?
BLS is commonly associated with healthcare professionals and students whose roles or organizations require healthcare-provider-level CPR training.
Depending on the organization and role, this can include people such as:
- Nurses and nursing students
- Physicians and other healthcare providers
- EMS professionals
- Medical assistants and clinical staff
- Healthcare students
- Other professionals whose employer or program requires AHA BLS
Requirements vary. Not every healthcare worker or student necessarily needs the same certification.
If your employer, school or clinical program has specifically asked for AHA BLS, confirm that requirement before registering.
Is BLS Certification Different From BLS Renewal?
The course format you need can depend on whether you’re obtaining BLS certification for the first time or maintaining an existing credential.
If you’re already certified, check:
- Your current BLS certification status
- Your expiration date
- What your employer or organization requires for renewal
- Whether you have completed the applicable HeartCode BLS online course
- Whether you need Online + Skills or Skills Only
If your BLS certification has expired, don’t simply assume that Skills Only is the appropriate choice because you previously held a BLS card. Confirm the current course requirements and select the applicable pathway.
How Do I Find a Convenient Citywide CPR BLS Location?
If your search began with BLS near me or BLS certification near me, Citywide CPR’s location structure can help you find an available training option.
Start with Find a Citywide CPR Location and look for the location and appointment that work for your schedule.
When comparing options, consider:
- Distance from work, school or home
- Available appointment times
- Whether the location offers the BLS pathway you need
- Whether you need Online + Skills or Skills Only
- How soon you need to complete certification
The closest location isn’t necessarily the only consideration. The right appointment is one that matches your course requirement and schedule.
When Do I Receive My AHA BLS eCard?
After successfully completing the applicable course requirements and skills session, your official American Heart Association BLS eCard is processed the same day according to applicable processing procedures.
For BLS Online + Skills, that means completing the applicable online course and successfully completing the required hands-on skills session.
For Skills Only, you must have completed the applicable HeartCode BLS online course and successfully complete the required hands-on skills component.
Your eCard provides electronic documentation of your AHA BLS certification. If you need to provide certification to an employer, school or clinical program, confirm that you have completed the specific course they require.
Need BLS Training for Your Healthcare Staff?
Sometimes a search for BLS classes near me is actually being performed by someone responsible for an entire healthcare team.
Hospitals, medical practices, dental offices, nursing teams and other healthcare organizations may need to coordinate BLS certification or renewal for multiple employees. Depending on the organization’s needs, employees may be able to schedule individual Self-Guided Skills Sessions at Citywide CPR Verification Station™ learning centers instead of everyone attending the same appointment.
Organizations can also explore appropriate onsite and portable training options when coordinating staff certification.
For healthcare organizations that need to coordinate multiple employees, see BLS, ACLS & PALS training for healthcare staff.
The right approach depends on the organization’s staffing, certification requirements and scheduling needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About BLS Classes Near Me
Can I take BLS classes online and do the skills in person?
Yes, the applicable AHA BLS Online + Skills pathway combines online coursework with a required hands-on skills session. The online portion is completed before the scheduled skills session, followed by the hands-on component.
What is the difference between BLS Online + Skills and Skills Only?
BLS Online + Skills is for someone who needs the applicable HeartCode BLS online course plus the hands-on skills component. Skills Only is for someone who has already completed the required HeartCode BLS online course and needs the hands-on skills session.
Does BLS Skills Only include the online course?
No. Skills Only is intended for participants who have already completed the applicable AHA HeartCode BLS online course. The HeartCode completion certificate is required for the Skills Only pathway.
Is BLS training only for nurses?
No. BLS requirements depend on the person’s role, employer, school or organization. BLS may be required for a variety of healthcare professionals and students, but you should confirm the specific credential your organization requires.
What happens at a Self-Guided BLS Skills Session?
You use the CPR Verification Station™ learning center and training equipment to practice and perform skills while following system guidance and receiving real-time audio and visual feedback. Citywide CPR support is available if assistance is needed.
Can I find BLS classes at a Citywide CPR location?
Yes. Citywide CPR has training locations in multiple cities and states. Use the Citywide CPR location finder to find a location and review available scheduling options.
When do I receive my BLS eCard?
After successfully completing the applicable course requirements and skills session, the official AHA BLS eCard is processed the same day according to applicable processing procedures.