BLS Renewal & Recertification

Basic Life Support (BLS) recertification courses allow you to update your skills, refresh your memory and extend your certification by two years. Designed for those whose credentials are still valid (or within 30 days of expiring), our abbreviated BLS renewal courses make it possible to avoid a lapse in certification so you can stay certified and stay on the job.

How BLS Recertification Works

To renew your BLS certification, you can register for a review course, which is an abbreviated version of the instructor-led course that allows experienced participants to obtain their certification in an expediated format. To be eligible to participate in the review course, you must possess an American Red Cross Basic Life Support certification (current or expired by no more than 30 days) To find information on the BLS review courses available in your area, browse our find a class page. View all BLS online safety courses here.

Certification Made Simple. Fast. Easy. Digital.

With BLS recertification classes online and in person, the Red Cross makes maintaining your certification fast, simple and easy. And with Red Cross Digital Certificates you'll get anytime, anywhere access to your certificates; plus the ability to print, share, and download them wherever and whenever you like. Digital certificates can be viewed, printed or shared online and can be accessed anytime through your Red Cross Account. Each certificate includes a unique ID and a QR code which meets employment requirements and allows employers to easily confirm your certificate is valid. Class participants and employers can visit https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/digital-certificate and enter the ID found on the digital certificate (or scan the QR code with a standard QR reader using a smart device) to access a copy of the valid certificate with student training information. Click here for instructions on accessing your certificate.

FAQs

What is the difference between BLS vs. First Aid?

• Basic Life Support (BLS) is the foundation of resuscitation training for healthcare professionals including nurses, physicians, EMS professionals, and other healthcare and public safety personnel. BLS program content includes single-and multiple-responder CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automatic external defibrillator) use, as well as how to care for a patient who has an obstructed airway (choking).
• The Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED portfolio of courses has been the go-to program for thousands of businesses and training organizations for over a century. These programs are the foundation of safety training and our courses satisfy OSHA-mandated, workplace and other regulatory requirements.

BLS vs. CPR: What is the difference?

• When lives are on the line, it is critical that healthcare and professional responder staff have the skills and confidence to act in the moments that matter. Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) is meant for healthcare professionals and first responders. This comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum goes beyond a cardiac focus, making our programs unique and more robust. Red Cross BLS courses meet competency verification, education, credentialing and privileging requirements.
• CPR classes are the foundation of workplace safety training, giving immediate responders a mastery of lifesaving techniques and the confidence to act when moments matter, be the cardiac emergency be at home, at school or in their community.