How Often Should You Renew Your CPR Certification?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique that is performed when someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. The act of CPR combines mouth-to-mouth breathing with chest compressions to move oxygenated blood throughout the body, keep vital tissues alive and extend the opportunity for successful resuscitation during vital moments.  When it comes to a person experiencing Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), proper CPR administration can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival, making it a truly life-saving technique! Currently, out-of-hospital SCA survival rates are only at 10%, which makes CPR knowledge and certification all that more important.  

While medical professionals are formally trained and certified to perform CPR, bystander preparedness and the ability to take action can buy time until medical assistance arrives, and significantly improve survival outcomes. CPR certification is a credential that allows someone to perform a life-saving procedure, typically involving chest compressions and rescue ventilation. Plus, a CPR certification can help individuals feel more confident and prepared to respond to medical emergencies in their day-to-day lives!

Currently in the US, only 18% of people are up to date on their CPR training. Understanding the importance of CPR certification, options for renewals, and the benefits of being ready to take action in an emergency situation can help to increase the amount of people who are prepared to save lives. We compiled some research on these important topics and resources to simplify the process and increase awareness. Let’s dive in! 

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How Often Do You Have to Renew CPR Certification?

Across most states, CPR certifications are typically valid for two years. While two years might seem like a small window, training and technique skills can quickly fade overtime if not routinely practiced, which can lessen effectiveness in an actual emergency situation. In addition, training techniques, teaching styles, lifesaving research and survival data is constantly being studied and improved upon by researchers and industry professionals. So, if you are renewing every two years, you are giving yourself access to the best, most up to date information, ultimately improving emergency outcomes. 

In order to renew a CPR certification, abbreviated first aid renewal classes can typically be taken within 30 days of a certification’s expiration date to help reinstate credentials for another two years. In some instances, an employer might require that an in-person skills test be completed in order to renew the certification. In-person testing sites can be found throughout each state and can offer an array of additional classes such as First Aid, AED, Lifeguard and Instructor Training courses. 

How to Renew CPR Certification

CPR certification renewal is a vital part of keeping your skills and knowledge up to date. The good news is that there are many options available to complete your CPR renewal in a way that works best for your schedule and learning needs! 

• In-person courses require you to attend physical training in a classroom or training center. These offer a more hands-on approach under the guidance of an instructor that can give you feedback and ensure proper technique. 

• Blended course options combine online and in-person elements, which usually begins with an online portion covering guidelines, procedures and knowledge assessments. Then, there is an option for a hands-on skills assessment to follow the online exam.
  
• Fully online CPR renewal covers the same subjects and materials as in-person classes, but gives you the opportunity to move at your own pace and find more convenient times and locations to learn from.

Classes can be searched for in minutes, giving you the best and most convenient options for your locational and learning needs! 

Benefits of Renewing CPR Certification

Renewing your CPR certification is an important step to ensure that your skills reflect the most current and effective life-saving techniques. Aside from the more technical aspects, here are some added benefits of staying up-to-date and confident in your CPR skills: 

Enhanced Skills and Knowledge

Wider CPR and first aid knowledge can translate into better skills during an actual emergency, which may lead to better patient outcomes. As mentioned previously, knowledge and research around CPR techniques, methods and outcomes is constantly being improved upon. These new findings and teachings are woven into CPR courses each year, making your recertification every two years extremely valuable.

Confidence in Emergency Situations

Oftentimes when we are presented with a stressful or urgent situation, panic and hurridess can inhibit the best possible decisions and outcomes. When faced with a cardiac arrest or other life-threatening event, individuals who lack confidence in their first aid or CPR skills may hesitate to intervene, resulting in delays that can have dire consequences. And we know that when it comes to Sudden Cardiac Arrest, every second counts. Building confidence through practice is essential for overcoming this hesitation and taking meaningful action!

Employer and Workplace Requirements

If your workplace falls within a specific industry, then your employer may require and provide training in first aid and CPR for at least one employee to be able to respond at all times. Some of these specific industries include (but are not limited to) educators, child care providers, elderly providers, special needs providers, coaches, referees, personal trainers, physical therapists, social workers, flights attendants, pharmacists, residence assistants, tour or outdoor guides, and many more! Additionally, being able to list that you are CPR certified on a resume, even if not mandatory for a job, can demonstrate that you have additional skills and value to offer beyond what’s required.

CPR Guidelines and Techniques Evolution

Ever since the initial development of CPR in 1960, the American Heart Association and International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation have worked together to analyze previous years’ CPR guidelines. The two entities work to release new CPR protocols every five years, ensuring that CPR is more and more comfortable to perform and increasing in effectiveness for bystanders. With this fine-tuned data and findings being available every five years, CPR training and techniques are improving in tandem. This greatly upholds the value of staying up to date every two years on your certification, as new findings are constantly being woven in!

New Research and Best Practices

One notable change in recent CPR guidelines was the increased emphasis on compression-only CPR for bystander response in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. This approach simplifies CPR by focusing solely on chest compressions, reducing the need for rescue breaths. These findings were updated and woven into certifications as recently as 2020, proving how valuable it is to stay updated and certified every couple of years.

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Takeaways

To sum up our research and details on the importance of CPR renewals, let’s focus on some key takeaways. In most states, CPR certifications remain valid for two years, and can be renewed within 30 days of the certification’s expiration date. CPR renewal courses can be taken in-person, online, or a blend of the two! All course options are valid for recertification and can be chosen depending on your learning and lifestyle needs. Research is constantly ongoing in the CPR, cardiac arrest and emergency-response fields, which means that CPR trainings and techniques are also frequently being improved upon and implemented.

Staying up to date with your certification will not only ensure that you are prepared to save a life, but also make you more confident in a stressful situation that your skillset is the most up-to-date. Bystander response time, performing proper technique, and ability to focus during an emergency can make all the difference during critical moments.

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