If your employer, hospital, school or clinical program requires American Heart Association BLS, it is important to make sure the course you register for is actually an AHA BLS course and that you complete all applicable course requirements.
A straightforward way to verify your pathway is to look for an American Heart Association BLS course offered through an authorized AHA Training Center or training organization, confirm that the course specifically identifies itself as AHA BLS, and check that the course format matches what your organization requires.
Citywide CPR is an American Heart Association Training Center offering AHA BLS certification and renewal options. Depending on your needs, Citywide CPR offers BLS Online + Skills and BLS Skills Only pathways, including Self-Guided Skills Sessions at CPR Verification Station™ learning centers.
What Is AHA BLS Certification?
AHA BLS certification is an American Heart Association credential demonstrating successful completion of the applicable BLS course requirements.
BLS stands for Basic Life Support. BLS training focuses on the recognition and response skills used during life-threatening emergencies, including CPR and other applicable resuscitation skills.
The important distinction is that not every course advertised as “BLS” is necessarily the exact certification your employer, school or clinical program requires.
If you have specifically been told to obtain AHA BLS, make sure the course you select identifies the American Heart Association as the course provider and that the certification pathway matches the requirement you were given.
How Can I Tell If a BLS Course Is Really an AHA Course?
Before registering, there are several practical details you can check.
Does the Course Specifically Identify American Heart Association BLS?
Look for clear identification of the course as an American Heart Association BLS course.
A generic reference to “CPR,” “BLS,” or “healthcare CPR” does not by itself tell you which organization issues the credential.
If your employer specifically requires AHA BLS, the course information should clearly identify the American Heart Association.
Is the Training Center Identified?
Check who is providing the course and whether the provider is an American Heart Association Training Center or is otherwise operating through the applicable AHA training structure.
Citywide CPR is an American Heart Association Training Center and provides AHA certification pathways for BLS and other healthcare courses.
What Certification Documentation Will I Receive?
Ask what credential is issued after successful completion.
For an applicable AHA BLS pathway, the participant receives an official AHA BLS eCard after successfully completing the applicable course requirements and skills session.
Be cautious about registering for a course if the certification documentation is unclear or does not match what your employer or program requested.
Does the Course Include the Required Hands-On Skills?
This is particularly important when you are looking at an online BLS course.
Completing online coursework alone does not complete the full BLS certification when the selected pathway requires a hands-on skills session.
For applicable AHA BLS pathways, participants must complete the required hands-on component in addition to the applicable online learning.
What Is HeartCode BLS?
HeartCode BLS is the AHA’s blended-learning pathway that combines online learning with a hands-on skills component.
For a participant choosing BLS Online + Skills, the general process is:
Complete the applicable online learning → Schedule the skills session → Practice and perform the required skills → Successfully complete the applicable requirements → Receive the AHA BLS eCard.
The online portion covers the applicable course content, while the hands-on portion allows the participant to demonstrate the required skills.
This can be useful for healthcare professionals and students who need a flexible way to complete BLS certification around work, school or clinical responsibilities.
Citywide CPR provides resources such as its BLS Study Guide to help learners prepare for their BLS training.
Is BLS Online Training Enough to Become AHA BLS Certified?
Not necessarily.
If you are taking an AHA BLS pathway that requires both online learning and hands-on skills, completing the online portion alone is not the complete certification process.
The applicable hands-on skills component must also be successfully completed.
This distinction matters because someone searching for AHA BLS certification near me may see online-only BLS courses and assume that the online course automatically provides the credential required by their employer or school.
Before registering, determine whether you need:
- BLS Online + Skills, or
- BLS Skills Only
The correct choice depends on what you have already completed and what your organization requires.
What Is BLS Skills Only?
BLS Skills Only is intended for a participant who has already completed the applicable AHA HeartCode BLS online course and needs the required hands-on skills component.
If you choose Skills Only, you should have your applicable HeartCode completion certificate available as required during registration.
An existing BLS eCard is not automatically the same thing as completing the current HeartCode BLS online coursework required for a Skills Only pathway.
For example, someone who previously held BLS certification but has not completed the applicable current HeartCode BLS online course should not assume that an old or current card alone qualifies them for Skills Only.
If you are uncertain, confirm your course requirements before registering.
What Is a Self-Guided BLS Skills Session?
At Citywide CPR, applicable BLS skills sessions can be completed as a Self-Guided Skills Session at a CPR Verification Station™ learning center.
The participant uses the training equipment and follows the system’s instructions while completing the applicable hands-on skills.
The system provides real-time audio and visual feedback that can help guide the participant during the skills experience. Depending on the applicable skill, feedback can include measurements such as:
- Compression rate
- Compression depth
- Chest recoil
- Ventilation performance
The participant can use this feedback to make adjustments while they practice and perform skills.
Self-Guided does not mean unsupported. A traditional instructor does not need to physically stand beside the participant throughout the session, but Citywide CPR support is available when assistance with the equipment or session is needed.
Learn more about the process through Citywide CPR’s Self-Guided CPR Training resource.
How Does the CPR Verification Station™ Learning Center Work?
The CPR Verification Station™ learning center provides the environment for applicable Self-Guided Skills Sessions.
Rather than relying solely on an online lesson, the participant physically completes the hands-on portion using CPR training equipment and technology.
The basic experience is:
- Complete the applicable online course when required.
- Schedule your Self-Guided Skills Session.
- Arrive at the Citywide CPR location.
- Follow the system’s audio and visual instructions.
- Practice and perform the required skills.
- Use real-time feedback to make adjustments as needed.
- Successfully complete the applicable skills requirements.
The participant is actively involved in the hands-on portion rather than simply watching a demonstration.
Citywide CPR also provides a Skills Demonstration Video Library for learners who want to review hands-on skills and become familiar with the training experience.
Does My Employer Require American Heart Association BLS?
If your employer, hospital, school or clinical program specifically says that you need AHA BLS, follow that requirement rather than assuming any CPR or BLS course will qualify.
Certification requirements can vary based on:
- Employer
- Healthcare facility
- Professional role
- School or nursing program
- Clinical placement
- Credentialing organization
- Other applicable requirements
Citywide CPR can provide the AHA BLS certification pathway, but your organization determines what credential it requires you to hold.
If you are unsure, ask your employer or program:
“Do you specifically require American Heart Association BLS, and do you require the full online-and-skills pathway?”
Getting that answer before registering can help you choose the appropriate course.
What Does the AHA BLS eCard Show?
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.
The eCard provides electronic documentation of your completed American Heart Association certification.
If you need to submit proof to an employer, hospital, school or clinical program, follow that organization’s process for providing your certification documentation.
Remember that the eCard documents the certification you completed; it does not independently determine whether that credential satisfies every employer, school or clinical requirement.
How Can I Find AHA BLS Certification Near Me?
If you are searching for BLS certification near me or AHA BLS certification near me, start by confirming the exact certification you need.
Then look for a training provider that clearly identifies the course as American Heart Association BLS and offers the course format you require.
Citywide CPR has locations in multiple cities and states, with flexible scheduling options for applicable BLS certification pathways.
You can use Find a Citywide CPR Location to look for a convenient location and available appointment.
Before booking, verify:
- The course is specifically AHA BLS.
- You are choosing Online + Skills or Skills Only appropriately.
- You know whether your employer or school requires initial certification or renewal.
- You understand what documentation you need to provide.
- The selected location offers the course format you need.
Need BLS Certification for Your Healthcare Staff?
The person searching for AHA BLS certification may not be an individual learner. A nurse manager, practice manager, clinical educator or healthcare administrator may be trying to coordinate BLS certification or renewal for several employees.
Citywide CPR can help healthcare organizations coordinate applicable BLS, ACLS and PALS certification and renewal for staff.
Depending on the organization’s needs, employees may use Citywide CPR CPR Verification Station™ learning centers for individual Self-Guided Skills Sessions, while organizations can also explore appropriate onsite and portable training options.
For organizations coordinating certification for multiple employees, see BLS, ACLS & PALS training for healthcare staff.
This can be especially useful when employees have different schedules, roles or certification expiration dates.
What Should I Ask Before Registering for AHA BLS?
If you’re still comparing BLS providers, ask these questions before making a decision:
Is This Specifically an American Heart Association BLS Course?
Make sure the course clearly identifies AHA BLS rather than relying on a generic “BLS” description.
Does the Course Include the Required Skills Component?
If you need the full AHA BLS pathway, determine whether hands-on skills are included and how they are completed.
Do I Need Online + Skills or Skills Only?
If you have already completed the applicable HeartCode BLS online course, Skills Only may be appropriate. Otherwise, you may need Online + Skills.
What Certification Documentation Will I Receive?
For an applicable AHA BLS pathway, the official AHA BLS eCard is processed after successful completion of the required course components and skills session.
Does the Course Match My Employer’s Requirement?
When an employer, school or clinical program has specified AHA BLS, verify that the course you select matches that requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions About AHA BLS Certification
How do I know if my BLS certification is American Heart Association approved?
Check that the course is specifically identified as an American Heart Association BLS course and that the provider is operating through the applicable AHA training structure. Also confirm that the credential and course format match the requirements given by your employer, school or clinical program.
Is HeartCode BLS an American Heart Association course?
HeartCode BLS is an American Heart Association blended-learning pathway. When the applicable pathway includes both online learning and hands-on skills, both components must be successfully completed.
Can I complete AHA BLS entirely online?
If your selected AHA BLS pathway requires hands-on skills, online coursework alone does not complete the certification. The required hands-on skills component must also be successfully completed.
What is the difference between BLS Skills Only and BLS Online + Skills?
Online + Skills is for participants who need the applicable online course and hands-on skills component. Skills Only is for participants who have already completed the required AHA HeartCode BLS online course and need the hands-on skills portion.
Is a BLS eCard proof that I completed AHA BLS?
An official AHA BLS eCard provides electronic documentation of your completed AHA BLS certification. If an employer, school or clinical program requires a specific credential, confirm that your completed course meets its requirements.
Can I find AHA BLS certification near me through Citywide CPR?
Yes. Citywide CPR has locations in multiple cities and states offering applicable AHA BLS certification and renewal pathways. Use the Citywide CPR location finder to identify a convenient location and available appointment.
When is my AHA BLS eCard processed?
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.