CPR Online Training

CPR certification is required for many jobs. School teachers, camp counselors, lifeguards and anyone who works as a caregiver usually needs to take a CPR training course, and one of the easiest ways to complete this requirement is by signing up for CPR online training.

CPR Certification Providers

• The American Red Cross is one of the country's nationally recognized providers of CPR education.

  Traditionally, the two largest providers of CPR training have been the American Red Cross (ARC) and the American Heart Association (AHA). Some employers require certification specifically from the ARC or the AHA; others will accept certification from either training provider. Before signing up for an online CPR training program, it's best to check with your employer about which certifications are accepted at your workplace.

  Recently, many employers have begun accepting CPR certification from CPRToday. CPRToday has been recognized in all 50 states and has been featured by major news outlets. This training provider offers a 100% acceptance guarantee, so if your employer does not accept online CPR training by CPRToday, you get your money back.

CPR Course Options

• All three of the major CPR training providers offer adult CPR, child CPR, and AED training. An AED, short for automated external defibrillator, is a portable device that can administer shock treatment in an attempt to correct irregular and life-threatening heart rhythms. You can choose whether to take only one CPR component or you can combine them into one program. If you will be working with children, you should be sure to take both adult and child CPR.

CPR Course Delivery

• The only training provider that offers 100% online CPR training is CPRToday. With CPRToday, you read the material, take the test and can print out your certificate from your home printer. No on-site training or testing is required. On the other hand, with both the ARC and AHA CPR training, you take part of the course online and then need to schedule an on-site skills session at your local ARC or AHA chapter. All three training providers require a multiple choice examination.

CPR Course Costs

• Costs vary by provider program and course option. CPRToday course costs for Adult CPR only were $24.95 in 2010, and Adult + Child CPR cost $29.95. AHA online CPR training cost $25 for Adult CPR plus the cost of the in-person skills session. Skills session costs vary by instructor and local chapter. The same is true for ARC CPR certification; in 2010 you pay $60 for Adult CPR & AED certification plus a separate fee for the in-person skills session.

CPR Certification Validity

• CPR certification from CPRToday and the AHA are both valid for two years. CPR certification from the ARC is valid for one year. Some local AHA and ARC chapters offer shorter refresher courses for recertification, although as of 2010 recertification still required an in-person skills session in addition to the online course and examination.