Instructor Curriculum/Certification

Instructor Curriculum/Certification

These articles walks you through the step by step process of assigning eCards.

Who qualifies for Heartsaver K12 certification cards?
  1. First of all, Heartsaver training is the same regardless which certification card the student receives (This is commonly misunderstood). However, only students, faculty, or staff within a K-12 School system are eligible for the discounted K12 certification card. 

  2. Typically, preschools do not qualify for the discounted pricing. However, if the preschool has a state accredited kindergarten then they may qualify. 


Who is included in ‘faculty’ and ‘staff’ of a K12 School?
“Faculty” refers to teachers and coaches; “staff” refers to an employee of a K-12 school or K-12 school system.

 Why are Heartsaver K12 certification cards cheaper than regular certification cards
The AHA’s mission is to have every graduating high schooler trained in CPR. So, they’ve lowered the price to make their mission more possible.

What is the difference between BLS and Heartsaver Instructors?
There is some overlap between BLS and Heartsaver Instructors. We give the full break down here: The Difference Between BLS and HeartSaver Instructors

 Who can teach ACLS and PALS courses?
ACLS and PALS Instructors “must be at least 18 years of age and be licensed or credentialed in a healthcare occupation where the skills are within the provider’s scope of practice.” (PAM, pg. 43) The AHA does not list specific occupation requirements or job titles. 

What are the best classes to offer?
Of course everything can vary depending on your location and if you have competition. However, nationwide we have seen some strong trends in the best classes to offer. Read more here about how to strategize your course menu: Best Class to Offer in Your CPR Business

Can someone attend a BLS renewal course if they don’t have a current BLS certification or if their BLS certification has expired?
Back in the day, the AHA courses used to be longer. As such, the renewal course saved a lot of time. That's no longer the case. If not all students have current BLS certification, then you should do a full BLS certification course for everyone. If you're efficient, it will only take an extra 20 minutes than the renewal and it's unlikely any of the students would know the difference. Everyone would then be issued BLS. *Note that renewal courses are only offered to people who have taken the most recent guidelines. So, for example, when new materials are released in 2026 based on the 2025 guidelines, no one will be eligible for renewal. 


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