CPR certification cost ranges from $12.95 for an online-only course to about $95 for a class with a hands-on skills test. Healthcare courses cost more. Basic Life Support (BLS) runs $60 to $85, and ACLS or PALS $175 to $245, at the training centers we checked.
The right course depends on why you need it. A parent learning at home can start online for very little. A teacher, coach, or nurse usually needs a certificate that includes an in-person skills check. This guide shows what each option costs and what you get for the money.
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the US each year
350,000Giving CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival
How much does it cost to get CPR certified?
Price follows format. Online-only courses are cheapest, while classes with an instructor and a skills test cost more. Advanced healthcare courses sit at the top of the range. The table below lists real prices published by four providers.
Compared
CPR course prices at four providers
| Course | Format | Provider | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard CPR/AED | Online only | National CPR Foundation | $12.95 |
| Adult CPR/AED | Online only | American Red Cross | $37 |
| Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED | Online only | American Red Cross | $37 |
| Heartsaver CPR AED | In person, at your site | CPR Carolina (AHA) | $65 |
| Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED | In person or blended | CPR Carolina (AHA) | $75–$95 |
| Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED | In person, at your site | CPR Carolina (AHA) | $85 |
| BLS Provider | In person | CPR Carolina, ShowMeCPR (AHA) | $60–$85 |
| ACLS (first course / renewal) | In person | ShowMeCPR (AHA) | $235 / $175 |
| PALS (first course / renewal) | In person | ShowMeCPR (AHA) | $245 / $200 |
Prices published by each provider, checked Sept 28, 2026. Red Cross online-only courses don’t meet OSHA workplace requirements. CPR Carolina prices are per person for on-site groups of five or more; ShowMeCPR prices are for its Wayne, New Jersey location. Full references in the Sources section.
Basic CPR and AED courses
A basic CPR and AED course is the most common starting point. It teaches you to recognize a cardiac emergency, give high-quality CPR, and use an AED safely. Most courses cover adults, and many add children and babies.
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure performed when the heart stops beating. Chest compressions keep blood moving until help arrives.
- An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that analyzes the heart’s rhythm. When needed, it delivers an electrical shock to help restore a normal rhythm.
The free PulsePoint apps can show you registered AEDs near you. They draw on the National Emergency AED + Resource (NEAR) Registry, which gathers locations from schools, airports, businesses, and public agencies.
First aid, pediatric, and healthcare courses
Beyond basic CPR, most providers offer courses built around a specific audience. Here is what each one covers and what it costs at the providers we checked.
- Pediatric First Aid CPR AED: $85 in person at CPR Carolina, or $37 online only with the Red Cross. It suits parents, babysitters, and childcare workers.
- CPR with first aid: $75 to $95 at CPR Carolina. It adds skills such as caring for bleeding, burns, and sudden illness.
- Basic Life Support (BLS): $60 to $85 for a first course. It is designed for healthcare providers, and a renewal costs $75 at ShowMeCPR.
- ACLS and PALS: $235 and $245 for a first course at ShowMeCPR, or $175 and $200 to renew. These advanced courses train healthcare teams to manage adult and pediatric emergencies.
Some employers pay for CPR training or run classes on site for their staff. Check with your manager or HR team before you book a course yourself.
How much does a CPR class cost with the Red Cross or the AHA?
The American Red Cross and the American Heart Association (AHA) are the two best-known names in CPR training. Both offer online, in-person, and blended courses. They price them in very different ways, though.
American Red Cross
The Red Cross sells its online-only CPR courses for $37 each. That price covers Adult CPR/AED, Adult First Aid/CPR/AED, and the combined adult and pediatric course. These online courses don’t meet OSHA requirements for workplace certification, so the Red Cross points job seekers to blended or in-person classes.
Prices for in-person and blended classes depend on your location and the course you pick. The Red Cross doesn’t publish one national price, so its Find a Class tool is the place to check. Every course that includes a skills session ends with a digital certificate, valid for two years, with a QR code employers can scan.
American Heart Association
The AHA writes the course material, but authorized AHA Training Centers run the classes and set their own prices. That is why the same course can cost different amounts in different cities. In Wayne, New Jersey, ShowMeCPR charges $85 for a first BLS course. CPR Carolina charges $60 per person for BLS taught at your workplace.
AHA course completion cards are valid for two years. The AHA also published its updated CPR guidelines in October 2025, the first full revision since 2020.
The American Heart Association’s 2025 CPR guidelines represent gold standard science. It reflects a rigorous examination of the most up-to-date evidence that guides how resuscitation is provided for critically ill patients.
Ashish Panchal, M.D., Ph.D., volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science Committee
For learners, that update matters. A class taught to the 2025 guidelines covers new steps for choking and suspected opioid overdose. It is worth asking which edition your course follows.
Online-only providers
Several companies sell CPR certificates entirely online. The National CPR Foundation, for example, lets you take its training and test for free. You pay $12.95 only if you want the certificate and wallet card.
Online-only certificates are quick and affordable, and they work well for personal learning. Still, the National CPR Foundation itself notes that some workplaces require a hands-on component. If you need CPR for a job, confirm what your employer accepts before you pay.
beenhereCheck the workplace rules firstOSHA requires that, where no clinic or hospital is nearby, a person at the workplace be adequately trained to give first aid. Many employers read that as training with an in-person skills check, so ask before you enroll.
What to look for in a CPR class
A good CPR class gives you the confidence to act, not just a card. Before you enroll, weigh these points to get training that fits your needs.
- Pick a course that matches your goal, whether it’s your job, caring for children, or personal interest.
- Look for hands-on practice on manikins that give feedback on your chest compressions.
- Check that the course follows the latest CPR guidelines and covers the ages you need.
- Confirm the certificate is accepted by your employer or licensing board.
- Choose the format that suits you: in person, online, or blended learning.
- Compare prices, locations, and schedules before you book.
Questions to ask a CPR instructor
A few questions up front tell you a lot about an instructor’s expertise and teaching style. They also help you avoid surprises on class day.
- Does your course follow the 2025 CPR guidelines?
- How many students are in each class?
- How much hands-on practice will I get?
- Do you use feedback manikins?
- Are the course manual and certificate included in the price?
- Will I get my certificate at the end of class, or later?
Once you’re certified, CPR can open doors in many careers, from childcare to healthcare.
Sources
- "CPR Classes," American Red Cross. Available at: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr/cpr-training/cpr-classes. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "CPR Classes Online," American Red Cross. Available at: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr/cpr-training/cpr-online. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Adult CPR/AED Online," American Red Cross. Available at: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/classes/adult-cpr%2Faed-online/a6RVx000000a6lF.html. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Adult First Aid/CPR/AED Online," American Red Cross. Available at: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/classes/adult-first-aid%2Fcpr%2Faed-online/a6RVx000000Xi3t.html. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Adult and Pediatric (Child and Baby) First Aid/CPR/AED Online," American Red Cross. Available at: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/classes/adult-and-pediatric-child-and-baby-first-aid%2Fcpr%2Faed-online/a6RVx000000XaW9.html. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Pediatric (Child and Baby) First Aid/CPR/AED Online," American Red Cross. Available at: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/classes/pediatric-child-and-baby-first-aid%2Fcpr%2Faed-online-ol/a6RVx000000XlZd.html. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "CPR Certification," American Red Cross. Available at: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr/cpr-training/cpr-certification. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "BLS Classes," American Red Cross. Available at: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/bls-training/bls-classes. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Free Community Workshops," American Red Cross Northern New England Region. Available at: https://www.redcross.org/local/me-nh-vt/about-us/free-community-offerings.html. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "CPR - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Updated Guidelines 2025," American Heart Association Newsroom, 2025. Available at: https://newsroom.heart.org/facts/cpr-cardiopulmonary-resuscitation-and-updated-guidelines-2025. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Course Card Information," American Heart Association. Available at: https://cpr.heart.org/en/resources/course-card-information. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Prices," CPR Carolina. Available at: https://www.cprcarolina.com/prices. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Prices: American Heart Association Healthcare Professional Courses," ShowMeCPR. Available at: https://www.showmecpr.com/pricing.php. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "CPR Certification Class," National CPR Foundation. Available at: https://nationalcprfoundation.com/courses/standard-cpr-aed/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "1910.151 - Medical Services and First Aid," Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Available at: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.151. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "PulsePoint AED and the NEAR Registry," PulsePoint Foundation. Available at: https://www.pulsepoint.org/pulsepoint-aed. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
```
Summarize with AI:
Did you like this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
