BLS/CPR Certification - AHA
Basic Life Support (BLS) and CPR Certification from the American Heart Association (AHA) is the gold standard in emergency cardiovascular care training for healthcare professionals. The BLS course teaches high-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants; the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs); relief of foreign-body airway obstruction (choking); and team-based resuscitation techniques. BLS is a prerequisite for most clinical roles and is required by virtually every hospital, clinic, and healthcare facility in the United States.
Who Needs This
BLS/CPR certification is required for nearly all healthcare professionals including registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs), physicians, physician assistants (PAs), paramedics, EMTs, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dentists, dental hygienists, pharmacists, and medical students. Many non-clinical healthcare workers such as medical office staff and health administrators also need BLS certification. Nursing schools, medical schools, and allied health programs require current BLS certification for enrollment or clinical rotations.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Healthcare facilities that employ staff without current BLS certification risk violations during accreditation surveys by The Joint Commission (TJC), Det Norske Veritas (DNV), or state health department inspections. Accreditation deficiencies can result in corrective action plans, conditional accreditation status, and in severe cases, loss of accreditation — which can lead to loss of Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement. Individual healthcare workers with expired BLS may be suspended from clinical duties until recertified, resulting in lost wages and scheduling disruptions. Malpractice liability also increases if a healthcare provider cannot demonstrate current BLS competency.
Key Requirements
Complete the AHA BLS Provider course, which includes both cognitive (knowledge-based) and psychomotor (hands-on skills) components
Demonstrate high-quality CPR skills including proper hand placement, compression depth (at least 2 inches for adults), compression rate (100-120 per minute), and full chest recoil
Demonstrate proper use of a bag-mask device for ventilation and an AED, including pad placement and following device prompts
Successfully perform multi-rescuer CPR scenarios including 2-rescuer adult and infant CPR with proper role switching and team communication
Pass the written examination with a minimum score of 84% and pass the hands-on skills evaluation assessed by an AHA-certified BLS instructor
Complete the course through an AHA-authorized Training Center or via the HeartCode BLS blended learning option (online portion plus in-person skills session)
How CertTracker Automates BLS/CPR Tracking
Tracks BLS/CPR certification expiration dates for every healthcare worker and sends escalating reminders at 90, 60, 30, and 7 days before expiry so no one lapses
Manages organization-wide BLS compliance across departments, shifts, and locations — instantly see which staff members are current and which need renewal
Integrates BLS tracking with RN license, HIPAA training, and other healthcare certifications to provide a complete compliance profile for each employee
Generates accreditation-ready reports for Joint Commission surveys, state inspections, and internal audits showing 100% BLS compliance across your workforce