Training is meaningless unless it is complete.

Will Employers Accept Online Training?

Many employers require people who work for them to be certified in CPR.

Woman at a computer taking notes

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For employees required to have CPR training, OSHA standards specify that online-only certifications are not acceptable.

Those cannot be obtained online.

Is CPR Training Regulated?

CPR certifications and first aid training are unregulated.

OSHA doesn’t state who can provide CPR training, only that online-only training is insufficient.

There’s no national CPR accreditation to vouch for legitimacy.

That’s true of the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, and websites offering courses.

Things are different, though, when it comes to healthcare professionals.

It’s a similar process fornurses,EMTs, and paramedics.

Laws in all 50 states define what it means to be licensed in any of these professions.

If you’re considering another course, theNational CPR Associationhas a useful checklist of what to look for.

It answers many of the most common questions regarding online training.

Your employer may be willing to accept certification from this kind of course.

It’s not a bad idea anyway, even if you don’t need the OSHA-approved certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you’ve got the option to perform CPR without a certification.

If a person needs CPR, poorly performed CPR is better than no CPR at all.

In general, a CPR certification is good for two years before needing to be renewed.

However, some jobs require annual recertification regardless of the expiration date on the certificate.

Good Samaritan laws protect a person who renders aid from liability.

American Red Cross.Hands-Only CPR.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration.Clarification of OSHA training requirements for basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Health & Safety Institute.Information about certification cards and online-only training.