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How Long Does CPR Certification Last? CPR Renewal & Expiration Guide
Updated: Sep 28
If you have completed a CPR class, you may be wondering: How long does CPR certification last, and when do I need to renew it?
For many commonly used CPR certifications, the certification period is two years. However, the exact expiration date and renewal requirements depend on the certification provider, course, employer, school, or organization requiring the training.
Keeping your CPR certification current is important if your job, school, licensing program, or volunteer position requires an active certification. Regular training also gives you an opportunity to practice hands-on CPR skills and stay familiar with current resuscitation practices.
This guide explains how long CPR certification typically lasts, what happens when it expires, when to renew, and how to keep your CPR skills current.
How Long Does CPR Certification Last?
Most major CPR certification courses issue credentials that are valid for two years.
For example, American Heart Association CPR and BLS course completion cards are generally valid for two years. The American Red Cross also commonly issues two-year CPR/AED certifications, although the exact certification period depends on the course.
Your certification card or digital certificate should show the applicable expiration date.
If your employer or school requires current CPR certification, use the expiration date on your credential as your guide and check with the organization if you have questions about renewal.
Why Does CPR Certification Expire?
CPR certification expires because CPR training is intended to verify current knowledge and practical skills.
CPR guidelines and emergency-care recommendations can be updated as scientific evidence develops. Just as importantly, hands-on skills can become less familiar when they are not practiced regularly.
Renewal training gives participants an opportunity to:
Review CPR procedures
Practice chest compressions
Review AED use
Practice age-specific CPR skills
Refresh choking-response skills
Review changes to CPR guidance
Demonstrate current skills
A certification card is therefore more than a record that you took a class in the past. It indicates that you completed the requirements of a particular training program during its certification period.
When Should I Renew My CPR Certification?
The best time to renew depends on your certification provider and the requirements of your employer or organization.
Start checking your certification several weeks or months before the expiration date.
This is especially important if CPR certification is required for your job. Waiting until the last minute can make it harder to find a class that fits your schedule.
Before your certification expires:
Check the expiration date on your CPR card or digital certificate.
Confirm which certification your employer or organization requires.
Find an appropriate renewal course.
Register early enough to avoid a lapse.
Keep your new certification documentation after completing the course.
If your employer requires a specific provider, such as the American Heart Association, make sure you register for the appropriate course.
Can You Renew CPR Certification Before It Expires?
In many cases, yes, but the rules depend on the certification provider and course.
Rather than assuming that renewing early will automatically extend your current expiration date, check the policy of the organization issuing your certification.
What Happens If Your CPR Certification Expires?
Once your certification reaches its expiration date, you should not represent yourself as holding a current certification.
If your job or school requires current CPR certification, an expired credential may no longer satisfy that requirement.
An expired certification can also create practical problems if you suddenly need to provide proof of current training.
If your certification has expired, check with the training provider and your employer to determine which course you need to take. Depending on the provider and how long the certification has been expired, you may need to complete a full certification course rather than a renewal course.
How Often Does CPR Certification Need to Be Renewed?
For many commonly used CPR certifications, renewal is required every two years.
However, there is an important distinction between the certification period and the requirements of your job.
An employer, school, licensing organization, or professional program may have additional requirements.
For example, an organization may require employees to maintain current CPR certification at all times or may establish an internal training schedule.
Always follow the requirement that applies to your specific position.
What Does CPR Renewal Training Include?
The exact content depends on the course, but CPR renewal training generally gives participants an opportunity to review and demonstrate the skills covered by the certification.
Depending on the course, this may include:
Adult CPR
Child CPR
Infant CPR
AED use
Rescue breathing
Choking response
Hands-on CPR practice
Skills evaluation
Knowledge assessment
For example, American Heart Association BLS training includes adult, child, and infant CPR, AED use, ventilations, choking response, and team-based resuscitation.
The specific requirements for renewal depend on the course and certification provider.
Is CPR Renewal the Same as BLS Renewal?
No. CPR and BLS are related but are different types of training.
CPR certification is commonly used for people who need basic CPR/AED training for work, school, childcare, education, fitness, or personal preparedness.
BLS certification is designed primarily for healthcare professionals and other trained personnel who need basic cardiovascular life-support skills in professional settings.
Both may have two-year certification periods, but the course requirements and intended audiences are different.
If your employer requires AHA BLS, make sure you take the appropriate BLS course rather than a general CPR renewal course.
Do CPR Guidelines Change Before My Certification Expires?
CPR and emergency cardiovascular care recommendations can be updated as new scientific evidence becomes available.
The American Heart Association periodically publishes updated CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care guidelines. The current AHA guidelines were published in 2025. (cpr.heart.org)
However, the existence of updated guidelines does not necessarily mean that every person with a currently valid certification must immediately retake their course.
If a major change affects your certification or job requirements, follow the instructions provided by your certification organization and employer.
Why Is Hands-On CPR Practice Important?
Taking a CPR class is an opportunity to practice skills that are difficult to learn from reading alone.
During hands-on training, participants may practice:
Proper hand placement
Compression rate and depth
Rescue breathing techniques
AED operation
Infant and child CPR
Choking-response techniques
Regular practice can also help participants become more familiar with the physical demands of CPR.
Even when your certification is still current, additional practice can be useful if your job involves responding to emergencies.
How Can I Keep My CPR Skills Current Between Classes?
You do not have to wait until your certification expires to review CPR skills.
Depending on your circumstances, you can:
Participate in CPR practice sessions
Review training materials from your certification organization
Practice with an appropriate CPR training manikin
Review AED procedures
Participate in workplace emergency drills
Take an additional refresher or practice course
Additional practice does not necessarily replace formal certification renewal. If your employer requires a current certification card, you still need to complete the required certification course.
CPR Renewal for Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare professionals often have additional certification requirements.
Nurses, physicians, EMTs, paramedics, dental professionals, respiratory therapists, healthcare students, and other healthcare workers may be required by their employer or educational program to maintain BLS certification rather than a general CPR certification.
Healthcare workers should check whether their employer requires:
AHA BLS
CPR/AED
ACLS
PALS
First Aid
Another specific certification
The correct course depends on the individual's job and workplace requirements.
CPR Renewal for Childcare Providers
Childcare providers may have CPR and First Aid requirements based on applicable childcare regulations, licensing requirements, and employer policies.
Because childcare professionals work directly with children and infants, they should make sure their training covers the appropriate age groups.
Before renewing, verify that your certification meets the requirements of your employer or licensing authority.
CPR Certification in Reno and Northern Nevada
If your CPR certification is about to expire, you can find CPR renewal and certification classes in Reno and throughout Northern Nevada.
Northern Nevada CPR provides CPR, BLS, AED, and First Aid training for individuals, businesses, schools, healthcare professionals, and groups.
Public CPR classes are available for individuals who need certification, while group and on-site training can be arranged for workplaces and organizations.
If you are renewing because your employer requires a specific certification, verify the required course before registering.
How to Prepare for Your CPR Renewal Class
Before attending your renewal course:
Check your current certification expiration date.
Confirm which certification your employer or organization requires.
Register for the appropriate course.
Review any materials provided before class.
Wear comfortable clothing suitable for hands-on practice.
Bring any required registration information.
Keep your new certification documentation after completing the course.
If you have an existing certification card, bring it with you when appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions About CPR Certification
How long does CPR certification last?
Many CPR certifications are valid for two years. The exact certification period depends on the training organization and course. Check your certification card or digital certificate for the expiration date.
How often do you need to renew CPR certification?
For many commonly used CPR certifications, renewal is required every two years. Your employer or organization may have additional requirements.
Can I renew CPR before it expires?
Often, yes, but renewal policies vary by certification provider. Check with your provider and employer to determine when and how you should renew.
What happens if my CPR certification expires?
An expired certification is no longer current. If your job requires active CPR certification, you may need to complete the appropriate renewal or certification course before you can satisfy that requirement.
How long does BLS certification last?
AHA BLS course completion cards are generally valid for two years. Healthcare professionals should check their certification card and employer requirements for the applicable expiration and renewal date.
How do I know which CPR renewal course I need?
Check with the organization requiring your certification. They may specify the training provider, course level, or format you must complete.
Final Thoughts: Keep Your CPR Certification Current
For many people, CPR certification is valid for two years, but the exact requirements depend on the certification provider and the organization requiring the credential.
The most important steps are simple:
Check your expiration date. Choose the correct renewal course. Complete your training before your certification lapses. Keep your documentation current.
Regular CPR training also gives you an opportunity to practice hands-on skills and stay familiar with current emergency-response recommendations.
If your CPR certification is approaching expiration, Northern Nevada CPR offers CPR, BLS, AED, and First Aid training in Reno and throughout Northern Nevada for individuals, businesses, schools, healthcare professionals, and groups.