Getting CPR certified online is simpler than most people expect. You pick a course, work through short lessons on your phone or computer, pass a few module exams, and print your card. For most people, the whole process takes about an hour, and you can do it tonight from your couch.
This step-by-step guide shows you exactly how to get CPR certified online, which course to choose for your job, what it costs, and the two mistakes that trip people up most often.
What you’ll need
- A device and internet connection: a phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop all work. You can switch devices; your progress is saved to your account.
- About an hour: most CPR/AED courses take 60 minutes or less. CPR + First Aid combos can take a bit longer. You can stop and come back any time; there is no time limit to finish.
- A payment card: SimpleCPR accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and Visa or Mastercard debit and prepaid cards.
- A printer (optional): you can print your card right away or download it as a PDF and send it to your employer.
Step 1: Confirm your employer’s requirements
This is the step most people skip, and it is the one that saves the most time and money. Before you buy, send your manager or HR contact three quick questions:
- Is an online CPR course with a printable card acceptable, or do you require a hands-on skills check?
- Do you require a specific provider or card issuer?
- Which level do you need: adult CPR/AED, adult-child-infant CPR/AED, CPR and first aid, or BLS for healthcare providers?
Many employers accept online certification, especially for office, retail, school, coaching, fitness, childcare, and volunteer roles. Some, particularly hospitals and EMS agencies, require a hands-on skills check in addition to the online knowledge portion. For a deeper look, read Is Online CPR Certification Accepted by Employers?, which includes a copy-and-paste email template.
Step 2: Choose the right course
Course level matters more than anything else. Use this quick guide:
| If you are… | Choose | Price |
|---|---|---|
| An office, retail, or general workplace responder | Adult CPR/AED | $19.95 |
| A teacher, coach, parent, babysitter, or childcare worker | Adult-Child-Infant CPR/AED | $19.95 |
| Required to have CPR and first aid | Adult CPR/AED & First Aid or Adult-Child-Infant CPR/AED & First Aid | $34.95 |
| A nurse, CNA, dental staff member, medical assistant, or other healthcare worker | BLS / Healthcare Provider CPR | $19.95 |
| Renewing a card that is expired or about to expire | CPR recertification online | Same course price |
| Exposed to blood or body fluids at work | Bloodborne Pathogens / Infection Control | $19.95 |
Not sure whether you need lay-rescuer CPR or BLS? Our guide to lay-rescuer CPR vs. BLS explains the difference, and what HCP stands for covers the healthcare provider level. Dental team members can also check which CPR class dental assistants should take.
Step 3: Create your account and start the modules
Click the course you chose, add it to your cart, and fill in your registration details. The name you enter is the name printed on your card, so double-check the spelling. If you are buying for someone else, enter their name and email so the account and card are in their name.
After checkout, you can start right away. You will also receive two emails: your receipt and your login details. Each course is divided into short training sections, with the lesson material and a module exam for each one. Work through them in order at your own pace. You can log out at any point and pick up where you left off.
Tip: take the course somewhere you can watch the videos with sound. Seeing hand placement, compression depth, and AED pad placement demonstrated makes the material stick far better than reading alone.
What you will learn
Content varies by course, but a typical CPR/AED course walks you through:
- How to check whether a scene is safe and whether a person is responsive and breathing normally
- When and how to call 911 and send someone for an AED
- Hand placement, compression depth, and compression rate for high-quality CPR
- Rescue breaths and how to use a barrier device
- How to turn on an AED, place the pads, and follow its prompts
- Choking relief for conscious and unconscious victims
Adult-Child-Infant courses add the differences in technique for children and babies, such as two-finger or two-thumb compressions for infants and adjusted compression depth for small children. CPR + First Aid combos add common emergencies like bleeding control, burns, allergic reactions, seizures, and heat- and cold-related illness. BLS covers professional-level CPR and AED skills for adults, children, and infants, geared to healthcare settings.
Because the course is self-paced, you can spend extra time on any section that feels new and move quickly through anything you already know. Many people who are renewing find they can review the material in well under an hour.
Step 4: Pass the exam
Each training section ends with a short exam covering what you just learned. You need a score of 85% or higher to pass each module exam. If you miss the mark, you can review the material and retake the exam as many times as you need, at no extra charge. There is no penalty and no extra fee for retakes.
Most people pass on the first or second try, because the questions follow the lessons closely. When you pass every module, the course moves to your Completed Courses list.
Step 5: Download or print your card
This is the part most people care about: you can print your card immediately after passing. Sign in, go to My Courses, then Completed Courses, and click Print Card. You can print it or save it as a PDF to email your employer, and you can reprint it any time for free.
Your card is a full-color certification card issued by the American Health Association, SimpleCPR’s certifying organization since 2004. It shows your name, the course, your completion date, your expiration date, and a unique certification number your employer can verify online.
Want a physical copy mailed to you as well? After you pass, you can order Package 1 (a mailed wallet card) or Package 2 (the same wallet card plus a mailed 8×10 wall certificate) from your Completed Courses page.
Step 6: Put it on your resume and set a renewal reminder
Once you have your card, put it to work:
- Send it to HR: email the PDF or hand over a printed copy.
- Add it to your resume: list the course name, the issuing organization, and the expiration date. Our guide on how to list CPR certification on your resume shows the exact format employers like to see.
- Set a calendar reminder: CPR, AED, first aid, and BLS cards are valid for two years from your completion date. Some employers require renewal sooner. Set a reminder about 60 days before your expiration date. Read when CPR certification expires for more on renewal timing.
How long it takes and what it costs
Here is the full picture at a glance:
- Time: most courses take 60 minutes or less. Renewing when you already know the material often goes faster.
- CPR/AED courses and BLS: $19.95
- CPR + First Aid combos: $34.95
- Standard First Aid or Bloodborne Pathogens: $19.95 each
- Included: the full course, all exams, unlimited retakes, and a printable card
- Groups: buying five or more of the same course saves $5 per course
- Money-back guarantee: full refund available within 14 days of purchase
An in-person class often costs much more once you add travel time and time away from work. For a full breakdown, see How Much Does a CPR Class Cost?
Common mistakes to avoid
Buying the wrong course level
The most common mistake is buying adult-only CPR when the job requires adult-child-infant, or buying lay-rescuer CPR when a clinical job requires BLS. If you work with kids, choose adult-child-infant. If you work in healthcare, choose BLS. If your employer mentions first aid, choose a combo course. If you do buy the wrong one, contact SimpleCPR support and we can usually swap it.
Skipping the employer check
Most employers accept online certification, but some require a hands-on skills check or a specific provider. A two-minute email before you buy avoids surprises. If it turns out you need a hands-on session, the online course still covers the knowledge portion, and you can request a refund within 14 days if it does not meet your needs.
Letting your card lapse
Some jobs will not let you work with an expired card. Renew before your expiration date rather than after.
Still comparing providers? Our guide to choosing the best online CPR certification covers what to check before you buy and the red flags to avoid.
FAQ
Can I really get CPR certified online the same day?
Yes. Most courses take 60 minutes or less, and you can print your card immediately after you pass.
Will my employer accept an online CPR card?
Many employers accept online certification. Some, especially hospitals and EMS agencies, require a hands-on skills check. Check with your employer before you buy.
Do I need hands-on training?
Only if your employer or licensing body requires it. The online course covers the knowledge portion; if a skills check is required, you will complete that separately.
How long is an online CPR certification good for?
Two years from your completion date. Some employers ask for renewal sooner.
Is SimpleCPR legit?
Yes. SimpleCPR has been in business since 2004 and has certified over 1 million students. Courses are based on AHA (American Health Association) and OSHA guidelines, and cards are issued by the American Health Association with a certification number employers can verify.
Get CPR certified online today
You now know every step. Confirm what your employer needs, pick your course, and you could have a printed card in about an hour.
