Accomplishing AHA Instructor Status How To Become a CPR Instructor

Prerequisites:

Provider Card
Each candidate will need to obtain a BLS Provider Card before enrolling in the Instructor training course. A candidate will need to obtain a CPR provider card in the discipline they want to teach. For example, a candidate who wants to be BLS Instructor must be certified as a BLS Provider. A candidate who wants to be a Heart Saver Instructor must be certified as a Heart Saver First Aid, CPR and AED provider. These certifications must still be current at the time of the instructor class. Expired certification cards cannot be accepted. A Red Cross certification or other non-AHA certifications are not accepted when becoming an AHA CPR Instructor

Training Center Approval
Every AHA Instructor is required to align with an authorized AHA Training Center. Training Center Faculty Instructors can monitor and renew instructor certifications as well as provide instructors with certification cards to issue to students. Individuals must receive approval from a training center faculty representative before taking a CPR Instructor Course.

Step #1

After completing the prerequisites, candidate will complete the AHA Online Instructor Essentials course. This is not included in the cost of the instructor course. This fee is paid the American Heart Association. The cost of this online training is $35. Register at https://elearning.heart.org/course/26.

Candidates must have a copy of the appropriate Instructor Manual while taking the Instructor Essentials online. After completing the online course, a certificate will be issued. Instructor candidates need to bring certificate and instructor manual along with provider manual with them on the first day of their instructor course. An instructor packet can be purchased through our training facility.

Step #2

Attend the CPR Instructor Course. The official agenda takes at least 4 hours. Training Centers may choose to add additional content to the agenda, which in turn increases the class time.

Step #3

Instructor Candidates will audit/assist with teaching a class then schedule a second class that they will be the lead instructor while being monitored by their instructor or another AHA Training Center Faculty member. This needs to be completed within 6 months of taking the CPR instructor course.