CPR Certification: How Often to Renew and Why It Matters

The two-year rule

Both American Heart Association (AHA) BLS and Red Cross CPR/AED credentials expire two years from the date on the card. There is no automatic renewal — you must complete a renewal course before the expiration date.

What lapses do to your assignment

If your card expires while you're on the schedule, most agencies will pull you off the floor until you re-certify. That's lost income and, in some settings, a reportable event. Coordinators check card dates on onboarding and on every credential audit.

Renewal vs. full course

If your card is current, you qualify for a renewal course — shorter, focused on skill checks. If your card has already expired, you'll typically need the full course again. Don't wait until the last week.

What we cover

Our in-house CPR & First Aid sessions cover:

• One- and two-rescuer CPR for adults, children, and infants
• AED operation with real device practice
• Airway obstruction (choking) response
• Bleeding control, burns, and shock
• Seizure and diabetic emergency response

Register

Sessions run most weeks in Baltimore. See our Training page for the current schedule.