Basic Life Support (BLS)
Basic Life Support Guidelines: What You Need to Know About Skills, Protocols, and Certification
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November 26, 2025
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Basic Life Support Certification (BLS) is the foundation of emergency care for individuals experiencing life-threatening events such as cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, or choking.
For healthcare providers and trained responders focusing on:
Key skills covered in this course:
The course provides practical training to ensure you can respond fast and effectively when lives are at risk.
BLS certification shows you’re ready to take action and save lives during emergencies, whether in a hospital, clinic, or community setting.
Get BLS certified — it proves you’re prepared to respond with confidence when every second matters.
Dental teams can review our guide to BLS certification for dentists and dental staff for role-specific training guidance.
If your current BLS card is nearing its expiration date, it’s time to renew your skills with BLS renewal. Staying up to date ensures you’re prepared to respond effectively during emergencies and remain compliant with employer or licensing requirements.
Our BLS course training classes for recertification are led by experienced BLS instructor professionals who review key life-saving techniques and the latest AHA guidelines. Students will participate in hands-on practice, updated scenarios, and a review of critical skills.
To complete the course, each student must pass a BLS test that covers CPR, AED use, and emergency response steps. Upon successful completion, you’ll receive a new AHA BLS card, valid for another two years.
Whether you’re a healthcare provider or first responder, renewing your certification through a trusted BLS course, training, and lifeguarding program helps maintain confidence and competence when it matters most.
Our BLS certification course and training are both reliable and reasonably priced. For a one-time fee of $80, students receive complete access to instructor-led instruction, the official certification exam, and all required course materials. Perfect for healthcare providers and lifeguarding professionals, there are no hidden fees or surprise charges—just straightforward, high-quality instruction that prepares you to earn your BLS certificate with confidence.
Official AHA certification for BLS, ACLS, PALS & Heartsaver—all in one place
Certification
Recertification
4-hour, in-person PALS class at our Silver Spring training center
Certification
Recertification
Professional and certified BLS instructor
Certification
Recertification
Practice CPR training on manikins and AED trainers.
Certification
Recertification
Official AHA certification eCard issued after you pass (valid 2 years)
Certification
Recertification
Weekday and weekend schedules available
Certification
Recertification
Healthcare professionals
Caregivers
Clinical Students
Dental Teams
Teachers and Instructors
Security team
Earn your BLS certificate from an official AHA provider and gain the skills to respond confidently in emergencies.
BLS stands for Basic Life Support. A BLS certification demonstrates that a healthcare provider has been trained to recognize and respond to life-threatening emergencies such as cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, or airway obstruction. The course equips nurses, physicians, EMS personnel, and other medical or public safety professionals with essential skills in CPR, AED use, and basic airway management for adults, children, and infants.
BLS certification is required for many healthcare and public-safety roles—physicians, nurses, EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, and law-enforcement officers. It’s also valuable for people responsible for others’ safety, such as teachers, childcare staff, lifeguards, and family caregivers. BLS training builds the skills to recognize an emergency and act fast.
Not exactly. CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is a key skill taught within a BLS (Basic Life Support) course, but BLS goes beyond just CPR. While CPR focuses on chest compressions and rescue breaths, BLS covers a broader set of skills, including the use of an AED (automated external defibrillator), team-based response, and care for a variety of emergencies involving adults, children, and infants. CPR certification is often suitable for the general public or workplace responders, while BLS certification is typically required for healthcare and emergency professionals.
Most people find the BLS certification course straightforward, especially with hands-on practice and clear instruction. It’s designed to be practical and accessible—even for those without prior medical training. With focus and participation, most participants pass without difficulty.
To earn your BLS certification, you must complete an AHA-approved BLS course that includes both online learning and in-person training. During the class, you’ll practice essential life-saving skills such as high-quality CPR, AED use, and team response for emergencies. This certification is required for many professionals, including healthcare providers, first responders, and those in lifeguarding roles. After successfully completing the course and skills assessment, you’ll receive a BLS eCard valid for two years, showing you’re prepared to respond confidently in critical situations.
To make sure a BLS course near you offers quality training, look for classes taught by certified instructors following the latest AHA guidelines. A good course should include hands-on practice in CPR, AED use, and team response, not just online learning. It’s also important to check if the program issues an official BLS Provider certification card that’s valid for two years, which is required for healthcare workers, first responders, and lifeguarding professionals. Reading reviews and confirming the class is recognized by local hospitals or employers can also help you choose the right course.