Overview
Thoroughly read the following information and requirements for Instructor certification. If you have any questions after reading this, please contact us info@cprlifeline.com

The AHA Instructor program is designed to prepare Instructor candidates to teach AHA Instructor-led and blended (hybrid) course formats. The course educates candidates on how to adequately use Instructor teaching materials, how to ensure that students meet the learning objectives, how to coach the skills, and how to conduct skills tests all while following the AHA guidelines and policies. You will also learn the administration side of teaching courses including Training Center alignment, completing and submitting course documentation, record keeping, and the AHA Instructor site Atlas.

AHA Training Center Alignment (aka affiliation or membership)
Before registering for an AHA Instructor course, you must get approval to align with an authorized AHA Training Center (TC), preferably in your geographical area. Most Instructors align with the TC where they do their Instructor training but it's not required. If you are requesting to align with us, please fill out this form (pg1&2) and submit it with your registration. If you are aligning with a different TC, you must get a signature of acceptance on this form (pg1) from your TC and submit it with your registration. Alignment is not employment, you are contracting with an AHA Training Center to oversee your AHA Instructorship and courses. Your TC is required to monitor your first class to complete the Instructor process. Your TC processes and maintains your class records, issues certification cards, notifies and updates you when changes are made to the courses or guidelines, makes sure you have the correct equipment and supplies for the courses you're teaching, notifies you when new products become available, and provides Instructor recertification. Some Training Centers also offer equipment rental and supplies for purchase. It is important that you choose the right AHA Training Center for you.

BLS or Heartsaver Instructor (note prerequisites!)

BLS Instructor: BLS Instructors are authorized to teach the professional level "BLS Provider" course and the basic level Heartsaver courses. You must have a current AHA BLS Provider certification. If you do not have this certification, you will need to take the class prior to your Instructor course date. If you have this certification but did not take it with us and you're aligning with us, you must observe one of our classes (no charge) prior to your Instructor course date or at least prior to your first class that we monitor. Instructors are also required to have the student manual for this course.

Heartsaver Instructor: Heartsaver Instructors are authorized to teach the basic level Heartsaver First Aid and Heartsaver CPR/AED classes. You must have a current AHA Heartsaver First Aid/CPR/AED certification. These classes can be taken separately or as one combined FA/CPR class. If you do not have this certification, you will need to take the class prior to your Instructor course date. If you have this certification but did not take the class with us and you're aligning with us, we highly recommend that you observe one of our classes (no charge) prior to your Instructor course date or at least prior to your monitored class. Instructors are also required to have the student manual for this course.

BLS/HS Instructor Essentials Online Course & In-Person Classroom Course
The Instructor course includes an online course followed by an in-person classroom course. The online portion contains both core content and discipline-specific modules to prepare Instructor candidates for the classroom course. In the classroom, TC Faculty (Instructor trainers) will continue preparing Instructor candidates to become quality AHA Instructors by focusing on in-depth material and administration regarding the BLS and Heartsaver disciplines. The classroom course also includes Instructor candidate skills testing, written exams, and teaches Instructor candidates how to successfully conduct these exams.

Class Monitor/Site Review
The monitor of your first class is completed by your Training Center who has accepted you for alignment. TC Faculty will monitor (observe) your first solo class to make sure you are prepared and ready to teach independently with the appropriate training equipment, supplies, and materials/documentation. You must complete this within 6 months of taking the Instructor course and will not be issued an Instructor certification until completed.

*Course Date & Fees*
The course fee includes the corresponding AHA Instructor Essentials online course, we'll assign it to you via email after Oct 22 when the new 2025 Guidelines are realeased. You will also need to purchase your own 2025G materials (BLS Instructor Manual, Heartsaver Instructor Manual, course videos, etc). See registration form for more details.

Course Date: Friday, November 7 at 9:00am-5:00pm Registration Form
Registration Deadline Oct 24

Location: CPR LifeLine Training Center, 9320 SW Barbur Blvd, Portland 97219

AHA TC Alignment / 1st Class Monitor / Site Review
AHA Training Center Alignment and Class Monitoring with CPR LifeLine. We offer reduced rates for 2 or more people from the same organization. If you're aligning with a different TC, you will complete this part with them and they will have their own fee schedule. Upon completion of the Instructor course, you'll be given paperwork to submit to your Training Center to complete the process.

Other expenses to consider...
Course fees do not include other materials like the course videos and student manuals. Additional materials and equipment will be needed prior to teaching your own classes such as manikins, AED trainers, CPR masks/valves, and disposable training supplies, etc. If you are starting a new program and want to estimate your start-up costs, send us an email to request more info. We also offer our aligned Instructors classroom and equipment rental.