How To Renew CPR Certification Online – An Easy 5 Step Guide

Learning CPR can give you the power to save lives and make a huge impact in critical, life threatening situations where every second counts. Getting CPR certification requires completing a training course that covers the important skills and techniques needed to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) effectively. Although CPR is an emergency lifesaving procedure, anyone can learn how to perform it and use it to save a life. 

CPR is a method for manually pumping blood to a person’s vital organs when their heartbeat or breathing has stopped. When a person is experiencing Sudden Cardiac Arrest, intervention with immediate CPR is critical to give them the best chance of survival. Performing CPR can help save lives and minimize the damaging effects that can occur during time-critical situations while waiting for emergency responders to arrive.

While it’s a good idea for everyone to receive CPR certification, for people who work in specific industries, it may be required by their employer. Many jobs require CPR training, such as:

• Healthcare providers (doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, etc.) 
• Athletic trainers, coaches, and many physical therapists 
• Lifeguards 
• Security personnel 
• Airline employees 
• Law enforcement officers 
• Teachers

Why Does CPR Certification Need to be Renewed? 

Just like a driver’s license, CPR certification needs to be renewed regularly so that individuals keep their lifesaving skills sharp and effective. Additionally, regulations and recommendations change based on updated research and new scientific information. So, part of the reason CPR certification has an expiration date is to ensure that people are able to learn any new techniques that have been recommended by healthcare professionals or found through recent research. 

Whereas most people with a driver’s license likely get behind the wheel of a car often, most laypeople with CPR certification do not get very much real-world practice. Even after CPR certification, many years may go by before a person ever encounters a situation where their CPR skills are put to the test. 

One 2011 study sheds light on the importance of revisiting CPR training even after you have received a formal certification. Researchers found that a significant majority (64%) of parents acknowledged that they had undergone formal CPR training at some point in the past; however, only a small percentage of them accurately recalled the information for adult (19%) and child CPR (12%). Learning how to renew CPR certification allows individuals to stay up-to-date with the latest techniques and guidelines, ensuring they can confidently and effectively respond to emergencies and continue to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

How to Renew Your CPR Certification Online

Maintaining up-to-date CPR certification is essential to ensure you know what to do in a life threatening emergency. The following is an overview of how to renew your CPR certification, and rest assured, there are many options for online renewal. 

Step 1: Identify Your Certification Expiration Date 

The first step in knowing how to renew your CPR certification is knowing when it’s time to renew. This information can almost always be found on your certification card, in an email confirmation, or provided by the organization that issued the original CPR certification. If you received your previous certification from an online provider, most will send an email reminder between 1- 4 weeks before certification is set to expire.

Step 2: Choose an Online Renewal Course from a Reputable Site 

Once you have your expiration date, select a reputable provider that offers CPR Renewal Courses, like ProCPR or National CPR Foundation. Online renewal offers the most convenience and flexibility to work with your busy schedule–instead of spending hours in the classroom, you can renew your CPR certification online in a matter of minutes. Look for providers recognized by credible organizations such as the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.

If you’re skeptical about the lasting impact that a 20 minute virtual CPR training can have, it has actually been studied! Researchers found that people who completed a short virtual CPR training module actually were highly willing (77%) to perform CPR in public, had good theoretical knowledge of CPR skills, and had shared this information with others, when assessed 6 months after their initial training.

Step 3: Take the Renewal Course 

Register for the CPR renewal course offered by your chosen provider! Because these are online courses, many can be completed the same day. Online courses offer flexibility and convenience, allowing you to study at your own pace and get your certification as soon as possible. The course will cover updated guidelines, CPR techniques, and any advancements or changes to the recommended procedures. 

Step 4: Pass the Test 

After completing the renewal course, you will likely be required to pass an online exam. Because the test is online, it will assess your cognitive understanding of the course material, not how well you can actually perform CPR (you can practice on a stack of pillows if you are at home since most people do not have CPR manikins lying around the house!).

Step 5: Maintain Your Certification 

Upon passing the test, you will receive a renewed certification card–even if you’ve taken the course online, most providers will mail you a physical copy so you can present it to your employer or carry it with you in a wallet or purse. Remember to maintain a copy of this card and update any employment records as necessary. 

Conclusion 

CPR certification is not just a piece of paper; it represents the power to save a life and can quite literally be a beacon of hope in times of crisis. The positive impact you can make by learning CPR and maintaining up-to-date CPR training is immeasurable, and online courses allow for the utmost flexibility.

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