If you have just completed—or are about to complete—an American Heart Association BLS, ACLS or PALS course, one question often matters almost as much as the training itself:
When will I receive my AHA eCard?
For healthcare professionals, nursing students and clinical staff, certification documentation may be needed for work, school, orientation, clinicals or another organizational requirement. Knowing what happens after the skills session can make the process much easier to plan.
The short answer: After you successfully complete the applicable course requirements and required hands-on skills session, your official American Heart Association eCard is processed the same day through Citywide CPR’s applicable certification pathways. For BLS Online + Skills, Citywide CPR specifically offers an instant AHA BLS eCard after successful completion. Citywide CPR
The key point is that the eCard comes after successful completion. Completing only the online portion of a blended course does not by itself complete the certification when a hands-on skills component is required.
What Is an AHA eCard?
An AHA eCard is the electronic version of an American Heart Association course completion card.
The eCard contains certification information and can be presented as documentation of successful completion. The American Heart Association states that eCards are valid course completion cards that can be presented to employers as proof of successful completion of an AHA course. Students and employers can also verify eCards through the AHA’s verification system.
An AHA eCard can include information such as the course, issue date, renewal date, Training Center information, instructor information, eCard code and QR code. cpr.heart.org
Is the AHA eCard My Official Certification?
Yes. An AHA eCard is an official course completion credential issued through an authorized AHA Training Center after the applicable course requirements have been successfully completed. cpr.heart.org
The American Heart Association explains that students and employers can use the eCard system to access and verify certification information. Heart eCards
However, your specific employer, school, clinical program or organization may have its own requirements regarding which AHA course or credential it requires. Always confirm that you are completing the exact certification pathway your organization requests.
How Quickly Do You Get Your AHA BLS, ACLS or PALS eCard?
For Citywide CPR’s applicable BLS, ACLS and PALS certification pathways, the official AHA eCard is processed the same day after successful completion of the applicable course requirements and skills session. Citywide CPR
For BLS Online + Skills, Citywide CPR specifically advertises an instant AHA BLS eCard after successful completion. Citywide CPR
For ACLS and PALS, the important sequence is the same: complete the applicable course requirements, successfully complete the required skills component, and then the AHA eCard can be processed according to the applicable certification pathway.
This distinction matters if you are working against a deadline. The eCard is not issued simply because you purchased the course or completed the online portion.
What Has to Be Completed Before You Receive Your AHA eCard?
You must successfully complete the applicable requirements for the certification you are taking.
For a blended BLS, ACLS or PALS pathway, that generally means completing both the required online learning and the required hands-on skills component.
The process can be summarized as:
- Select the appropriate AHA certification.
- Complete the applicable online learning when required.
- Attend your scheduled hands-on skills session.
- Practice and perform the required skills successfully.
- Complete the applicable course requirements.
- Receive or claim your AHA eCard according to the Training Center’s processing procedures.
The American Heart Association confirms that eCards are issued to students who successfully complete all applicable course requirements. cpr.heart.org
What Happens With BLS Online + Skills?
With BLS Online + Skills, you complete the full BLS certification pathway through the online HeartCode BLS course and the required hands-on skills session.
Citywide CPR’s BLS pathway allows participants to complete the HeartCode BLS online course at their own pace and then schedule the hands-on skills session. After successful completion, the official AHA BLS Provider eCard is issued. Citywide CPR
For this pathway, Citywide CPR specifically states that the AHA BLS eCard is available instantly after successful completion.
So if you need an AHA BLS credential for a job, school or clinical requirement, make sure you account for both parts of the certification process.
What If I Already Completed HeartCode and Only Need Skills Only?
If you have already completed the applicable current AHA HeartCode course, you may be able to select Skills Only instead of purchasing the full Online + Skills pathway.
With Skills Only, you complete the required hands-on portion of the applicable certification. Citywide CPR’s BLS, ACLS and PALS pathways instruct participants who have already completed the applicable HeartCode course to provide or upload their HeartCode completion certificate when registering. Citywide CPR
An important distinction is that an existing or previous BLS, ACLS or PALS eCard is not the same thing as completing the current HeartCode online course required for a Skills Only registration.
If you are unsure which option applies to you, verify what your employer, school or clinical program requires before registering.
When Will I Receive My AHA eCard After the Skills Session?
Once you successfully complete the applicable course requirements and skills session, Citywide CPR’s applicable BLS, ACLS and PALS pathways provide same-day AHA eCard processing. Citywide CPR
For BLS Online + Skills specifically, Citywide CPR states that the AHA BLS eCard is available instantly after successful completion. Citywide CPR
Watch: Get Your AHA eCard After Certification
If you are wondering what happens after completing your certification, this short Citywide CPR video provides a quick look at the eCard process.
How Do You Access Your AHA eCard?
AHA eCards are accessed electronically rather than as a traditional paper certification card.
The American Heart Association’s eCard system allows students to access their eCard profile using identifying information or an eCard code. Employers can also verify eCards using the verification system.
If you receive an email inviting you to claim your eCard, follow the instructions provided to access it.
If you cannot find your eCard, the AHA recommends checking the email addresses that may have been associated with your training and confirming the spelling of your name. If the card still cannot be found, contact the Training Center that issued it for assistance. Heart eCards
Can I Show My AHA eCard to My Employer or School?
Yes, an AHA eCard can serve as documentation of successful completion of an applicable AHA course.
The American Heart Association states that eCards can be presented to employers as proof of successful completion, and employers can verify the credential electronically. cpr.heart.org
However, the specific certification required by an employer, hospital, school, nursing program, clinical site or licensing organization can vary.
For example, an organization may require BLS rather than a general CPR course, or it may require ACLS or PALS in addition to another credential. Before registering, confirm the exact course your organization requires.
What If I Need BLS, ACLS or PALS Certification Quickly?
If you are working under a deadline, start by identifying the exact certification your organization requires.
Then choose the appropriate Citywide CPR pathway.
| If you… | Consider… |
| Need the complete certification pathway | Online + Skills |
| Already completed the applicable current HeartCode course | Skills Only |
| Need BLS | BLS certification |
| Need advanced cardiovascular life support | ACLS certification |
| Need pediatric advanced life support | PALS certification |
Citywide CPR is an American Heart Association Training Center offering BLS, ACLS and PALS certification and renewal through flexible training options. Its location network provides Self-Guided Skills Sessions at CPR Verification Station™ learning centers in multiple locations. Citywide CPR
What Is a Self-Guided Skills Session?
A Self-Guided Skills Session is the hands-on portion of an applicable certification pathway completed using technology-guided training equipment.
Participants physically practice and perform skills while receiving real-time audio and visual feedback.
Self-Guided does not mean online-only. The hands-on skills component still takes place using training equipment, but the session is guided by the technology rather than structured as a traditional instructor-led classroom. Citywide CPR describes its Self-Guided Learning model as applicable online learning followed by required hands-on skills practice and testing at a CPR Verification Station™ learning center.
If you want to understand the format before registering, you can review Citywide CPR’s Self-Guided CPR Training information.
How Can I Find BLS, ACLS or PALS Certification Near Me?
If you searched for BLS certification near me, CPR classes near me or a nearby AHA certification option, Citywide CPR has locations across multiple cities and states.
The Citywide CPR Location Finder allows you to search for a location and available training options.
When choosing a location, confirm:
- The certification you need
- Whether you need Online + Skills or Skills Only
- Whether you have completed the applicable HeartCode course
- The date and time of your skills appointment
- Any specific requirements from your employer, school or clinical program
Citywide CPR’s locations page currently lists BLS, ACLS and PALS certification options across its location network. Citywide CPR
What If I Need My Certification for Work or Clinicals?
If you need certification documentation for a job, clinical rotation, school program or orientation, don’t wait until the last possible day to determine what course you need.
First confirm the exact certification requirement. Then allow enough time to complete any required online learning, schedule your hands-on skills session and complete the certification successfully.
Once your applicable requirements have been completed, the AHA eCard provides electronic documentation that can be accessed and verified. cpr.heart.org
This is especially important for healthcare students and professionals who may be coordinating certification around work shifts, clinical schedules or school obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions About AHA eCards
How quickly will I receive my AHA BLS eCard?
For Citywide CPR’s BLS Online + Skills pathway, the AHA BLS eCard is available instantly after successful completion. Citywide CPR
How quickly will I receive my ACLS or PALS eCard?
After successfully completing the applicable ACLS or PALS course requirements and required skills session, Citywide CPR states that the official AHA eCard is processed the same day. Citywide CPR
Do I get an AHA eCard after completing the online course?
Not by itself when the certification pathway also requires hands-on skills. You must successfully complete the applicable course requirements and required skills component before the certification can be completed and the eCard issued. cpr.heart.org
What is the difference between Online + Skills and Skills Only?
Online + Skills includes the applicable online learning plus the required hands-on skills session. Skills Only is for participants who have already completed the applicable current AHA HeartCode course and need the hands-on component.
Can my employer verify my AHA eCard?
Yes. The AHA provides an electronic verification system that allows employers to verify eCards using the eCard code or QR code. cpr.heart.org
What if I cannot find my AHA eCard?
First, check the email addresses that may have been associated with your training and confirm that your name was entered correctly. If you still cannot locate it, contact the Training Center that issued the card for assistance. Heart eCards
Can I use my AHA eCard for any employer or school requirement?
The eCard is official documentation of AHA course completion, but the specific course required by an employer, school, clinical program or licensing organization can vary. Confirm the required certification before registering.
Ready to Get Your AHA Certification?
If you know which certification you need, you can find a convenient Citywide CPR location and schedule the appropriate certification or renewal pathway.
FIND A LOCATION & SCHEDULE YOUR CERTIFICATION
Choose the appropriate BLS, ACLS or PALS option, and confirm whether you need Online + Skills or Skills Only before completing your registration.