BLS Certification

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

HeartCode Self-Guided Learning – Choose from 2 options:

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.

Tips & Tricks to Help You Pass Your Skills Session

These short videos highlight the most common mistakes students make during skills testing and show you exactly what the system is looking for.  Watching them ahead of time will help you finish faster, avoid retakes, and pass with confidence.

Station Introduction

Compression Skill Tips

Compression Skill Tips: Proper Hand Placement

Ventilation Skill Tips

Adult 2-Rescuer Skill Tips

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:

• Meet clinical, employment, or licensing requirements
• Improve confidence when responding to emergencies
• Strengthen your resume and clinical competence
• Prepare for advanced certifications such as ACLS or PALS

Frequently Asked Questions