First aid and CPR classes are widely available through national organizations like the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association, as well as at local fire departments, hospitals, and community colleges. Most people can find a class within a short drive, and several format options exist depending on your schedule and budget.
Major National Providers
Two organizations dominate CPR and first aid training in the United States. The American Red Cross operates training centers nationwide and offers classes that satisfy OSHA workplace requirements. The American Heart Association runs a separate network of authorized training centers and instructors, with courses aimed at everyone from the general public to healthcare professionals and first responders.
Both organizations let you search for nearby classes on their websites by zip code. Red Cross classes are listed at redcross.org/take-a-class, and the AHA maintains a course catalog at cpr.heart.org. Either certification is widely recognized by employers, schools, and regulatory agencies.
Local Places That Host Classes
Beyond the big national providers, many local institutions offer certified training. Fire departments frequently run community CPR courses, sometimes free of charge. Hospitals and urgent care networks often host classes through their community education programs. Community colleges typically include first aid and CPR as short continuing education courses, sometimes bundled with other health or safety topics.
YMCAs, recreation centers, and even some public libraries periodically schedule group classes. If you work for a larger company, your employer may already have a relationship with a training provider or may bring an instructor on-site. The Red Cross requires a minimum of 8 participants for on-site group training, so smaller teams are usually directed to open community classes instead.
Class Formats and Time Commitment
You generally have three options for how you take the course: fully in-person, blended (part online, part in-person), or online-only. The right choice depends on why you need the certification.
- In-person classes cover everything in a single session, typically lasting a few hours. You learn the material, practice on mannequins, and complete a skills check all in one visit.
- Blended learning splits the work. You complete about two hours of online content at your own pace, then attend a shorter in-person skills session of roughly 90 minutes. This is a good option if you want to minimize time in a classroom.
- Online-only courses cover the knowledge portion but skip hands-on practice. To receive a valid two-year certification, you still need to complete an in-person skills session within 90 days. Online-only is not sufficient on its own for most workplace or regulatory requirements.
Why Hands-On Practice Matters
OSHA has stated clearly that online training alone does not meet federal first aid and CPR requirements. The reasoning is straightforward: CPR involves physical skills like chest compressions and rescue breathing that can only be learned through actual practice. OSHA’s guidance specifies that trainees should develop hands-on skills using mannequins and partner practice.
During the skills portion, you’ll practice chest compressions at a specific depth (at least two inches for adults) and pace (30 compressions in roughly 15 to 18 seconds). You’ll also practice giving rescue breaths using a barrier device, with each breath lasting about one second and producing visible chest rise. Instructors watch you perform these steps and confirm you can do them correctly before signing off on your certification.
CPR vs. BLS Certification
If you’re not in healthcare, a standard CPR/AED/First Aid class is what you want. It covers how to perform CPR on adults, children, and infants, how to use an automated external defibrillator, and how to help someone who is choking.
BLS (Basic Life Support) certification includes everything in a standard CPR class but adds material designed for people who may respond to emergencies professionally. BLS courses cover rapid patient assessment, opioid overdose response, team communication, legal considerations, and working within the emergency medical services system. Nurses, EMTs, lifeguards, and other healthcare or safety professionals typically need BLS rather than standard CPR.
What Classes Cost
Prices vary by provider, format, and location. As a baseline, the Red Cross charges $37 for its online adult first aid/CPR/AED course, though that price does not include the required in-person skills session. Fully in-person and blended courses from major providers generally run between $70 and $120 for the complete package. Some community organizations, fire departments, and nonprofits offer free or reduced-cost classes, particularly for parents, caregivers, and residents in underserved areas.
If your employer requires the certification, check whether they’ll cover the cost. Many companies pay for group training or reimburse employees who complete courses on their own.
How Long Certification Lasts
CPR and first aid certifications from the Red Cross and AHA are valid for two years. When your certification approaches its expiration date, you can take an abbreviated renewal course rather than repeating the full class. Renewal courses are shorter and less expensive, and they extend your certification for another two years. If you let your certification lapse entirely, you’ll need to take the full course again.
Setting a calendar reminder about a month before your expiration date gives you enough time to find a convenient renewal class without any gap in your credentials.
How to Pick the Right Class
Start by asking why you need the certification. If it’s for a job, check with your employer or HR department about which specific certification they require and whether they accept online components. Some workplaces mandate BLS; others only need basic CPR. If you’re learning for personal readiness, a standard CPR/AED/First Aid class is the most practical choice.
Next, search the Red Cross and AHA websites for classes near you. Filter by format (in-person or blended), date, and audience level. If nothing is available nearby or the timing doesn’t work, contact your local fire department or community college, as they often have schedules that don’t appear in the national databases. Most classes fill up in advance, so registering a few weeks ahead gives you the best selection of dates and locations.