If your CPR or BLS card has lapsed, the first question is not how to renew it but whether your expired card still qualifies for a shorter renewal course or whether you need to retake the full class. This guide walks you through answering that question and ending with a valid new card. Before you start, find your old card, certificate, or your training provider's records. Also find out whether your employer, school, or licensing board requires a specific provider, such as the American Heart Association (AHA) or the American Red Cross. That one detail can save you from paying for a course that gets rejected.

Step 1: Check Your Expiration Date and Card Type

Start with the card itself. Most CPR and BLS cards from the AHA and the American Red Cross are valid for two years, and the card is typically good through the end of the month shown. Confirm this on your own card or eCard rather than relying on memory, because some courses and employers use different terms.

Next, identify what kind of card you hold. The common types are:

CPR/AED: aimed at lay rescuers such as teachers, coaches, and office staff.
First Aid: often paired with CPR/AED, but it carries its own expiration date.
BLS Provider: built for healthcare professionals, with team-based resuscitation and bag-mask skills.

These are not interchangeable. A lay rescuer CPR card will not satisfy a requirement for BLS for Healthcare Providers, so renewing the wrong type just repeats the problem. Note the issuing organization too, since that affects which renewal options exist.

If you cannot find your card, look it up through the issuing provider's eCard lookup, which usually asks for your name and email. If that fails, contact the training center that taught your class, since they keep rosters and can often reissue proof of completion.

Mistake to avoid: assuming there is a grace period. Most providers and employers do not recognize one. Treat your card as expired the day after the date on it, and plan accordingly.

Step 2: Confirm What Your Employer or Licensing Board Requires

Before you spend money, ask the people who will actually review your card. That means your supervisor, HR department, school administrator, or licensing board. Ask three things directly:

Which provider and which course do you accept? For many clinical roles the answer is BLS for Healthcare Providers, not a general CPR course.
Do you accept a fully online course, or is a hands-on skills session required? Many healthcare employers require in-person skills practice and testing. Get this answer before you pay.
Does my lapse affect my work status? Some employers pull staff from clinical duties or patient contact until they are recertified, so the lapse may have a deadline attached.

Where possible, get the answers in an email so you have a record.

If you are a workplace safety coordinator, go a step further and list which staff members are lapsed, what card type each person needs, and when each expired. Then check whether any regulatory requirement or internal policy sets a deadline for recertification. Requirements vary by industry, state, and employer, and OSHA-related expectations depend on your workplace hazards and the standards that apply to you, so verify current rules with the relevant agency or your compliance officer rather than assuming. Your written internal policy often matters more than any general guideline.

Step 3: Decide Between a Renewal Course and a Full Course

A renewal (or recertification) course is shorter than the initial class because it assumes you already know the basics. The catch is eligibility. Many providers offer renewal only to people with a current card or one that expired recently, and what counts as recent differs by provider and training center.

Do not guess. Contact the training center and ask plainly: "My card expired on this date. Does it qualify for your renewal option?" As of 2026, policies still vary, so the answer you get from the center that will actually teach your class is the one that counts.

Then apply this logic:

Card recently expired and the center accepts it: renewal is likely the faster, cheaper choice.
Card expired long ago, or the center will not accept it: enroll in the full course. It produces the same certification as renewal, just with more instruction time.
Card status unclear: ask for the policy in writing, or default to the full course to avoid being turned away on class day.

One decision rule is worth keeping regardless of eligibility. If you feel unsure about compressions, rescue breaths, or AED use, choose the full course even if renewal is allowed. A renewal class moves quickly and expects you to perform skills with little coaching. If your skills have faded, the longer class is the better investment, and it is the one that prepares you to act in a real emergency.

Step 4: Choose a Course Format That Meets Hands-On Skills Requirements

There are three common formats, and they are not equally accepted.

In-person classroom

Everything happens at a training site: instruction, practice on manikins, and testing with an instructor. It takes the most time in one sitting but leaves nothing to coordinate afterward.

Blended learning

You complete the cognitive portion online at your own pace, then attend a shorter in-person session where an instructor checks your hands-on skills. For busy professionals this is often the fastest route, and it still satisfies hands-on requirements because a human evaluates your technique. AHA and Red Cross both offer blended options, though the specific names and steps differ.

Online-only

You complete everything on a screen with no skills check. These certificates are frequently rejected by healthcare employers and licensing boards because no one verified your technique. If you choose this route, confirm acceptance in writing first. For BLS especially, assume it will not be accepted until your employer says otherwise.

Whatever format you pick, confirm that the course comes from a recognized, certified provider and follows current resuscitation guidelines. The AHA publishes guideline updates on a periodic cycle, with its most recent major update released in 2025, but check the AHA's site for the current edition and any changes before relying on that detail. A reputable provider will tell you which guidelines its course follows and who issues the card.

Step 5: Register for a Class and Prepare

Once you know the card type, provider, and format, book your class through Best Choice CPR. Select the course that matches your requirement: CPR/AED, First Aid, or BLS. Check the schedule, location, and cost at the time of booking, since pricing and session availability change. If you need the card by a deadline, leave a buffer in case a class fills up.

Gather these items to bring:

A photo ID.
Your old card number, if you have it.
Any employer or school enrollment forms that need the instructor's signature or confirmation.

Spend a short time reviewing before class. Under AHA guidance, adult compressions are performed at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute and to a depth of about 2 inches (5 cm). Refresh the basic sequence too: recognize that someone is in cardiac arrest, call for help or activate emergency response, start compressions, and use an AED as soon as one is available. If you are taking BLS, also look over your team roles and the ventilation steps you learned previously.

Wear comfortable clothing. You will be kneeling on the floor and practicing on manikins, so avoid anything restrictive, and consider closed-toe shoes.

Step 6: Complete the Class and Pass the Skills Test

The skills evaluation is the core of the certification. It typically covers adult, child, and infant CPR, plus AED use. For BLS, expect team-based resuscitation scenarios and bag-mask ventilation as well. The instructor watches you perform each skill and checks it against a set standard, such as correct compression rate, depth, full chest recoil, and minimal pauses.

Most courses also include a written exam, usually multiple choice. It draws on the material covered in class, so paying attention during instruction and any online module is the best preparation.

If you do not pass something, do not panic. Most providers allow a retest or a short remediation session, but policies differ by training center. Ask the instructor what happens if you miss a skill or fall short on the exam, ideally at the start of class so you know the process.

One practical tip: ask the instructor to check your hand placement and compression depth. Those are the most common errors in testing, and they are easy to miss on your own. Small adjustments, like locking your elbows, positioning your shoulders over your hands, and pushing hard and fast, usually fix them. Instructors would much rather correct you during practice than see the problem on the test.

Step 7: Save Your New Card and Set a Renewal Reminder

After you pass, you will receive an eCard or a printed certificate. Many providers issue eCards within days of completion, though timing varies, so ask the instructor when to expect yours. When it arrives, check that your name, course type, issue date, and expiration date are all correct. Errors are far easier to fix right away than months later.

Then take these actions:

Send a copy to your employer, school, or licensing board, whichever requires it.
Save a digital backup, such as a PDF in cloud storage or an email to yourself, so a lost phone or old email account does not erase your proof.
Set calendar reminders at 90 days and 30 days before the new expiration date.
If you coordinate a team, add each person's expiration date to a tracking spreadsheet with a column for card type and a flag for upcoming renewals.

If you want to be sure there is no gap this time, go one step further and schedule your next renewal class now. Booking early also gives you time to confirm renewal eligibility and pick a convenient session rather than scrambling for whatever is left.

Keep Your Certification Current From Here On

Check that the name, course type, and expiration date on your new card are correct, share it with whoever requires it, and book your next renewal well before the date arrives so your certification never lapses again.

Don't wait until an emergency happens. Equip yourself with life-saving CPR skills that could make all the difference when seconds count. Register for a certification class today and gain the confidence to respond when someone needs help most.