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Is Online CPR Certification Valid?
Is Online CPR Certification Valid?
Online CPR Certification can be a great way to get trained and certified in lifesaving CPR and first aid skills.

They are available in most community centers and schools and prove valuable for anyone whether you’re in the medical field, a parent, or someone who just wants to prepare for medical emergencies. The good thing about CPR classes is that you can now take them online.

Most hospitals and employers now require employees to acquire certifications for CPR and BLS. This demand has led to an increase in CPR training providers that offer certification. This has also led to the creation of online CPR classes designed to be more accessible and convenient especially for employees and individuals who can only take these classes during their off days or on weekends.

Classroom CPR vs. Online CPR Training

There is little difference between online and traditional classes. This is because most online classes still require you to perform hands-on training before you can be certified. Traditional classroom training is composed of lectures as well as hands-on training while online classes allow you to take hands-on training after completing the lecture portion online. Both still require in-person CPR demonstration before you can be certified for CPR under accrediting organizations like the American CPR Institute.

Is Online CPR Certification Valid?

Online certification is valid depending on whether or not your employer or accrediting organization says it’s valid. There are employers who accept CPR certification online courses from online providers, and there are those that are strict about only accepting certification from accredited CPR training organizations. Certification with hands-on training is not a necessary requirement for most employers that are not subject to the OSHA (Occupation Safety and Health Administration) guidelines. On the other hand, for employers under OSHA regulation, the requirements may include certification from programs with actual hands-on CPR training as a requisite for certification.

If you are not sure what the requirements for your industry are, it is best to ask your employer before you sign up for a specific training course. Employment positions in the medical or health care fields may require that CPR certifications have both lecture and hands-on training, which can only be obtained from accredited providers like medical schools and organizations like the American CPR Institute.

Advantages of Online Certification

The good thing about taking online CPR classes is that the schedules are more flexible and you can complete the class at your own pace. Online CPR training classes are best suited for those who work 9-5 jobs or those with busy schedules. You can listen to the course from anywhere and decide to take the hands-on training when your schedule clears up.

It is important to note that validity only becomes a concern if you are taking CPR training for employment or career reasons. CPR training whether given by the American CPR Institute or an employer-provided training program can still give you the skills you need to face medical and health emergencies with confident competence.

If you want to learn basic CPR skills to add to your resume or you simply want training in first aid and CPR for future use, online courses are a great starting point.