Your CPR card has an expiration date for a reason. Guidelines change, skills fade, and most employers treat an expired card the same as no card at all. The good news: CPR recertification online does not have to mean booking a weekend class or hunting down a manikin session. You can renew 100% online, finish in about an hour, and print a new card the same day.
This guide covers when to renew, what changes if your card is already expired, the exact online steps, notes for BLS and healthcare renewals, cost and time, and what to do after you pass. SimpleCPR has been in business since 2004 and has certified over 1 million people. Courses are based on AHA (American Health Association) and OSHA guidelines, nationally accepted, and start at $19.95.
When to renew your CPR certification
Most CPR and BLS cards are valid for about two years. The exact window is printed on your card, so that date — not a guess — is what your employer or licensing board will check. Put the expiration on your calendar and aim to renew 30–60 days early. That buffer keeps you covered if HR asks for a copy, if a shift swap eats your weekend, or if you need a short skills check on top of online training.
For a deeper look at timing and what happens when a card lapses, see when CPR certification expires and how long a CPR certification lasts. Healthcare providers renewing BLS should also read how long BLS certification lasts.
- Still valid, renewing early: enroll in the same course level you currently hold and print the new card when you pass.
- Expiring this month: renew now so you are never offline between shifts or clinicals.
- Already expired: take the full course at the right level; do not assume a shorter “refresher” path if your card is fully out of date.
Expired vs. almost expired — what changes
If your card is still current or only a few weeks from expiring, online renewal is straightforward: pick the matching course, complete the modules, pass the exam, and print. Employers usually just need a current card with a new expiration date.
If the card is fully expired, treat renewal as a fresh certification at the correct level:
- Lay / community roles (office, gym, retail, most non-clinical jobs): Adult CPR/AED or Adult-Child-Infant CPR/AED at $19.95, or add first aid with Adult CPR/AED & First Aid or Adult-Child-Infant CPR/AED & First Aid at $34.95.
- Clinical / healthcare roles (nurses, CNAs, dental staff, medical assistants): BLS / Healthcare Provider CPR at $19.95.
- Wrong level last time: if your job now asks for BLS and you only held standard CPR, take BLS — do not renew the wrong card.
Online training covers the knowledge and the card. It does not replace an in-person skills check when your employer, school, or board requires one. Many workplaces accept online certification as-is; hospitals and some licensed settings are more likely to want hands-on verification. Confirm before you buy. For the honest employer picture, see Is Online CPR Certification Accepted by Employers?
Online CPR recertification steps
Renewing with SimpleCPR follows the same path as a first-time certification. You do not need to find an instructor date or wait for a classroom seat:
- Choose the right course. Match your job or licensing requirement: standard CPR/AED, CPR + First Aid, or BLS. Browse all online CPR certification courses if you are unsure, or start from the CPR recertification online hub.
- Enroll and pay. Courses are 100% online and self-paced. CPR/AED, BLS, and Bloodborne Pathogens are $19.95; CPR + First Aid combos are $34.95.
- Complete the modules on any device. Most CPR courses take 60 minutes or less; CPR + First Aid combos typically take 60–90 minutes.
- Pass the exam. Unlimited retakes are included, so you can review and try again without buying a second seat.
- Print your card immediately. Download and print the moment you pass, then send a copy to HR, your clinical coordinator, or your licensing board.
New to online training? Walk through the full flow in how to get CPR certified online.
BLS and healthcare renewal notes
If you work in patient care, your renewal is usually BLS (Basic Life Support) / Healthcare Provider CPR, not a community CPR/AED card. BLS covers adult, child, and infant CPR, AED use, and team / two-rescuer skills that clinical settings expect.
A few healthcare-specific tips:
- Ask about skills checks. Hospitals, some dental boards, and many nursing programs accept online BLS for the knowledge portion but still require an in-person skills demonstration. Online gets you the card and the cognitive content; the skills session, if required, is separate.
- Match the level on your badge or policy. If the posting or handbook says BLS or HCP, take BLS — renewing a lay CPR card will not satisfy a clinical requirement.
- Watch the two-year clock. BLS cards also typically last about two years. Details: how long BLS certification lasts. Not sure if you need lay CPR or BLS? See lay rescuer CPR vs. BLS.
SimpleCPR’s BLS / Healthcare Provider CPR course is $19.95, 100% online, and usually finished in about an hour. Print the card immediately after you pass.
Cost and time for online renewal
Online renewal pricing at SimpleCPR is the same as a new certification — there is no separate “refresher” upcharge:
| Course | Best for | Price | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult CPR/AED | Adult-only workplaces, gyms, offices | $19.95 | ~60 minutes or less |
| Adult-Child-Infant CPR/AED | Teachers, coaches, anyone around kids | $19.95 | ~60 minutes or less |
| BLS / Healthcare Provider CPR | Nurses, CNAs, dental, clinical staff | $19.95 | ~60 minutes or less |
| Bloodborne Pathogens | Exposure risk roles (often alongside CPR) | $19.95 | ~30 minutes |
| Adult CPR/AED & First Aid | Adult CPR + first aid on one card | $34.95 | 60–90 minutes |
| Adult-Child-Infant CPR/AED & First Aid | Childcare, camps, schools needing both | $34.95 | 60–90 minutes |
Compare that with many in-person refresher classes that still take a half day once you add travel and waiting for a seat. Online means you train between shifts, on a phone or laptop, and print the card as soon as you pass. Full refund within 14 calendar days of purchase if you change your mind before you are done (hard-copy wallet card and wall certificate add-ons, if you choose them later, are non-refundable).
After you renew: resume, calendar, and next steps
Once the new card is in your hands:
- Update your resume and HR file. List the new expiration date, not just “CPR certified.” See how to mention CPR on your resume correctly.
- Set a calendar reminder 60 days before the new expiration so you are never scrambling again.
- Keep a PDF and a printed copy in your bag or locker for audits, clinicals, and onboarding.
- Tell your manager or clinical coordinator the same day so scheduling software and compliance trackers stay current.
Training a whole team whose cards expire on different dates? Group accounts let an administrator track completions and expirations in one place — see group CPR training for staff.
FAQ
How often do I need CPR recertification?
Typically every two years. Always check the date printed on your card, because that is what employers and boards use.
Can I renew an expired CPR card online?
Yes. If the card is fully expired, take the full course at the correct level online, pass the exam, and print a new card. Confirm whether your employer also wants an in-person skills check.
Is online CPR recertification accepted by employers?
Many employers and industries accept it. Some hospitals, dental boards, and licensed childcare settings require a hands-on skills check in addition to (or instead of) a fully online path. Ask HR or your board before you enroll. More detail: employer acceptance of online CPR.
Do I need BLS or standard CPR to renew?
Clinical and patient-care roles usually need BLS. Most non-clinical jobs mean standard CPR/AED, sometimes with first aid. When a posting just says “CPR,” ask which level — renewing the wrong one wastes time and money.
How long does online renewal take?
Most CPR and BLS courses take 60 minutes or less. CPR + First Aid combos typically take 60–90 minutes. You print the card immediately after passing.
How long will my new card last?
Usually about two years from the issue date. See how long CPR certification lasts and when certification expires rather than rehashing the full timeline here.
What does online CPR recertification cost?
SimpleCPR courses start at $19.95 for CPR/AED, BLS, and Bloodborne Pathogens. CPR + First Aid combos are $34.95.
Renew your CPR card today
Check the date on your card, pick the right course level, and you can be renewed before your next shift — 100% online, self-paced, with a printable card the moment you pass.