Many websites offer basic life support (BLS) certification, which is generally inexpensive. The content of the course can range from basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills to comprehensive BLS, which includes adult and pediatric CPR, AED training, and bloodborne pathogens and first aid instruction. To obtain BLS certification online, do your research and choose an organization that is reputable or accredited and will provide you with certification that will be recognized or accepted by the majority of employers and other organizations.
BLS certification is required for healthcare providers such as physicians, nurses, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), but it is also available to anyone interested in emergency or pre-hospital care training. Other occupations, such as lifeguards, police officers, and teachers, may require CPR, first aid, or AED certification. Online BLS certification courses are designed to deliver all of the cognitive content found in a traditional classroom setting.
BLS certification online courses are divided into three categories. In one type, applicants complete a free CPR course online before taking a free exam. Applicants pay for a certificate that they can print after passing the exam.
Another type of BLS certification online course is one that charges a fee. Applicants can print a certificate after passing the online exam. For an online course, a third type charges a fee. Applicants receive a printable certificate after passing an online exam, which allows them to schedule a hands-on skills evaluation with a certified instructor.
There are some advantages to taking a BLS course online. Courses are simple to register for and use. A four- to eight-hour class is replaced by an online course and optional skills evaluation. Users can complete the course at their own pace and on their own time, and many online course providers will assist them in finding a local skills testing center.
The wide variation in training methods and quality from one online provider to another is one of the disadvantages of getting BLS certification online. Some employers may not accept certificates issued by some online BLS training sites, so users may choose to skim through the training. Some websites may let them retake the tests as many times as they want until they pass.