BLS Certification for Healthcare Providers
In-Person BLS Classes in Oakland & Sacramento plus HeartCode BLS Skills at 40 Locations

Basic Life Support (BLS) training prepares healthcare professionals to recognize and respond to life-threatening emergencies with high-quality CPR, early defibrillation, and effective team communication. Project Heartbeat is an American Heart Association (AHA) Training Center offering BLS certification and renewal in two convenient formats: traditional In-Person classroom courses at our Oakland and Sacramento campuses, and HeartCode blended learning with hands-on skills sessions available at 40 locations across our training network.
Choose Your BLS Training Path
BLS certification is available in two learning modalities. Both modalities lead to the same AHA BLS Provider eCard, which includes professional-level CPR training.
In-Person Classroom
100% classroom instruction with a live AHA instructor. Available at our Oakland and Sacramento campuses.
HeartCode Self-Guided Learning – Choose from 2 options:
HeartCode BLS Complete
Includes both the online course and the skills check
HeartCode BLS Skills Only
Only for students who already finished the online course through the AHA
How HeartCode BLS Works (Online Course + Skills Check)
HeartCode BLS is the American Heart Association’s official blended learning format. It combines online adaptive learning with an in-person skills evaluation to complete your certification.
Part 1 — Online Course (HeartCode BLS)
Complete the AHA’s interactive online modules at your own pace. The course includes CPR foundations, airway skills, infant CPR, AED operation, and team-based response. The program adapts to your performance, spending more time on topics where you need review.
Part 2 — In-Person Skills Check
After completing Part 1, attend a short hands-on session where you demonstrate compressions, ventilations, and team communication using a manikin with real-time feedback.
What to Expect at a Self-Guided Skills Session?
You will receive real-time CPR feedback during compressions and ventilations. This evaluation satisfies the AHA requirement for BLS certification. We recommend watching this short video if you are unsure which pathway to choose. It shows what you will see at a self-guided HeartCode Skills session.
Why BLS Training Matters
Basic Life Support (BLS) skills empower healthcare professionals to respond quickly and confidently during life-threatening emergencies. High-quality CPR, early use of an AED, and effective teamwork are proven to double — and sometimes triple — survival rates in cardiac arrest.
BLS training goes beyond basic CPR. Students learn clinical assessment, airway management techniques, and team communication strategies used in real healthcare environments.
Whether completed through an In-Person class or one of our HeartCode BLS blended learning pathways, BLS certification provides the essential foundation for all advanced resuscitation training, including ACLS and PALS.
What You’ll Learn in BLS Training
Every Project Heartbeat BLS course follows the latest 2025 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC. Training includes:
Every training pathway — In-Person, HeartCode Complete, or HeartCode Skills-Only — leads to the same AHA BLS Provider eCard, valid for two years.
Who Should Take BLS Certification?
BLS (Professional CPR) is required or strongly recommended for a wide range of medical and allied health professionals, including:
- Registered Nurses (RNs) and Nursing Students
- Medical Assistants (MAs)
- Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
- Paramedics
- Physicians and Medical Residents
- Respiratory Therapists
- Physical & Occupational Therapists
- Radiology / Imaging Technicians
- Dental Professionals
- Home Health Providers
- Hospital Technicians and Support Staff
Also Beneficial For:
- Educators and Coaches
- Personal Trainers
- Childcare Providers
- Community Volunteers
- Parents and Caregivers
Career Benefits:
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn More About BLS Certification
Benefits of Getting BLS Certification for Lay People
Basic Life Support, or BLS, training shouldn’t just be dedicated to health care professionals. Many people in other professions, as well as non-working lay people, can benefit from a quick class during which they learn how to provide rescue care and use an AED until emergency personnel arrive on the scene. Are you one of them?
What’s the Difference Between ACLS and BLS Certification?
Are ACLS and BLS the same thing? The short answer is no; they differ quite a bit – specifically in the level of advancement. So, what is the difference between BLS and ACLS, and which do you need? Read on to find out.
Wanting to Become a Nurse? Know When to Become BLS Certified
BLS certifications tell the world that you know how to perform CPR and perform basic life-saving techniques. If you’re planning to get into the health care field yourself, you may be wondering when you should get your certification. Is it best to get it long before you apply for your first job, or should you wait until you are accepted into a position?











