You’re looking to get CPR certified. Maybe it’s so you can be ready in the event of a medical emergency. Over 350,000 cardiac arrests happen outside of hospitals every year in the United States. Knowing CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. That’s pretty powerful!
Alternatively, you may need CPR certification as part of your job. Healthcare workers, teachers, fitness instructors, and others all need this life-saving certification. Whatever your reason for seeking CPR training, one of your first questions is likely to be: How long does CPR training take?
The good news is you’ve got options that can work with just about any schedule. Whether you’re getting certified for the first time or just need a renewal, by knowing the typical CPR class duration, you can plan your time and training more effectively.
What Affects CPR Certification Time?
The time it takes to complete your CPR certification comes down to a few key factors. First, how you’re learning makes a huge difference. Traditional in-person CPR classes will allow you to earn your certification in a single sitting, but you’ll need to stay for the entire set length of the class. Hybrid online courses let you knock out the book learning on your own, which can save time and give you more flexibility to learn at your preferred pace.
What you’re getting certified in matters, too. Basic CPR for everyday folks is quicker than professional certifications like ACLS or PALS, which certain healthcare positions require.
Other factors that affect how long CPR certification takes include:
- Your personal learning style
- Your instructor’s teaching pace
- Class size
- Whether you’re a first-timer or refreshing your skills
That still begs the question: How long is CPR training? Next, we’ll get down to the nitty-gritty of that question for each type of CPR certification.
CPR Certification Length by Course Type (BLS, ACLS, PALS)
It can be challenging to answer a question like, “How long does CPR certification take?” because not all CPR courses are the same. Depending on your personal goals and career, you might need a specific type of certification. Each comes with its own time commitment.
Basic Life Support (BLS)
BLS certification is a foundational course for teachers, healthcare providers, and members of the general public who want to be CPR-ready. The traditional CPR class duration for BLS typically runs four to five hours in a single session. You can also choose online options that let you complete the theoretical portion on your own time (usually one to two hours), followed by an in-person skills check (one to two hours).
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
ACLS is a more intensive certification designed for healthcare professionals who respond to cardiovascular emergencies. It includes lessons on effective chest compressions, use of a bag-mask device, and use of an AED. Traditional courses can run from 10 to 13 hours and are usually spread over two days. You can find hybrid options for ACLS certifications that will offer online study plus in-person skills training that takes between five and six hours.
Expect to invest 8 to 13 hours in total to earn your ACLS certification.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
If your profession involves working with infants or children, consider going the extra mile and earning your PALs certification. Similar to ACLS, traditional CPR class times for PALS run between 10 to 13 hours over two days. Hybrid options will let you study and learn online and then go in for around five hours of hands-on practice.
All told, you may be looking at 8 to 13 hours to receive your PALS certification.
How Long Does CPR Renewal Take?
Most CPR certifications are good for two years. When your certification lapses, it’ll be time to brush up on your skills and renew your certification. The good news is that CPR certification renewal almost always takes less than your initial training.
For a BLS renewal, you’re looking at roughly three hours total compared to the three to five hours for initial certification. ACLS and PALS renewals generally take from seven to nine hours.
Why the time savings? Since you already know the fundamentals, renewal courses focus on refreshing your skills and updating you on any new guidelines or techniques.
The format of your CPR certification renewal matters. Traditional in-person renewal classes will still usually take longer than hybrid options that let you zip through the content review online at your own pace.
How to Get CPR Certified Fast
Want your CPR certification in a hurry? The fastest route is almost always through hybrid training. An exciting new option for hybrid CPR training is CPR Cart.
With CPR Cart, you’ll complete the learning portion of your certification online through our CPR classes at your own pace. We offer BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification courses. Then comes the real timesaver. Instead of scheduling a multi-hour, in-person skills session to complete your certification, you’ll instead visit one of our automated stations (aka CPR carts) to perform a 30-minute hands-on verification of your CPR skills.
These innovative self-service stations are available (usually 24/7) at multiple locations, making it easy to fit certification into your busy schedule. After completing your skills check, you’ll receive your official American Heart Association eCard immediately. No waiting period required. This is especially useful if you’re on a time crunch to show proof of CPR certification for your job.
So, how long does it take to get CPR certified with CPR Cart? The online portion of your training will be similar to other hybrid options. The big difference is that you’ll need just 30 minutes for your in-person skills test. That’s significantly faster than traditional certification methods, and you won’t be stuck in a CPR class for an entire afternoon.
For healthcare professionals, students, or anyone looking for quick certification, CPR Cart offers a convenient solution that doesn’t compromise on quality.
Check here to find a CPR Cart near you. We’re adding new locations all the time!