Red Cross CPR Certification in West Covina

Is Red Cross CPR certification accepted by employers and OSHA?

Red Cross certification is widely accepted for workplace and caregiver requirements, and the Red Cross states that its first aid certification courses are OSHA compliant. Some employers and licensing bodies name a specific organization, so read the exact wording of your requirement before you book. If you work in licensed child care in California, check the EMSA approved course list and ask your licensing office which courses they accept. For bloodborne pathogens, the Red Cross says its Bloodborne Pathogens Training fulfills one of the requirements of the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, and asks students to confirm with their employer that it meets their industry's rules.

Red Cross vs AHA: which certification do I need?

For workplace first aid and CPR, both the Red Cross and the American Heart Association are widely accepted, and the choice usually comes down to what your employer writes in the requirement. Healthcare is different: many California hospitals and nursing programs specify an American Heart Association card for BLS, ACLS and PALS. We teach both at the same West Covina location. If your requirement names the AHA, book AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED, AHA BLS certification, AHA ACLS or AHA PALS instead. Still unsure? See which CPR class you need.

How long does Red Cross CPR certification last?

Two years from the date you complete the class. That applies to Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED, Red Cross BLS, ALS and PALS. Bloodborne Pathogens Training is the exception: the Red Cross lists it as a one-year certification. Many employers check for an unexpired card, so book your next class a few weeks before your expiration date. If your card has already lapsed, simply retake the class and leave with a fresh 2-year certification.

What happens in a Red Cross CPR class?

Arrive a few minutes early at 100 N. Barranca St, Suite #255-B and check in with your instructor. In the Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED class, you work through first aid scenarios for injuries and sudden illness, then hands-on CPR practice on adult, child and infant manikins, plus AED training for every age group. In Red Cross BLS, you add team-based resuscitation scenarios and finish with a written exam and a skills check. Wear comfortable clothing you can kneel in; all equipment and materials are provided.

Do I get a digital Red Cross certificate?

Yes. Your Red Cross certificate is digital, with a unique ID and QR code that employers can use to confirm it is valid. For Red Cross BLS, digital certificates are typically issued the same day, so you can send proof to your employer or program right away. Forward the certificate to whoever asked for it, and keep a copy for your own records.

Can I get Red Cross CPR certified online?

Not for a workplace card. The Red Cross says online-only CPR classes do not qualify for workplace certification, so you need an in-person skills session, which is what our West Covina classes are. The exceptions are courses the Red Cross lists as online, such as Bloodborne Pathogens Training and the self-paced Red Cross online courses for babysitting, child care, pet first aid and water safety.

Who needs which Red Cross class?

• Teachers, coaches, foster parents, babysitters and workplace safety teams: Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED, which covers adults, children and infants in one class.
• RNs, LVNs, CNAs, EMTs, dental staff and medical assistants: Red Cross BLS, after you confirm your employer accepts a Red Cross BLS card.
• Paramedics and advanced EMTs: Red Cross ALS, with a current BLS card.
• Providers who treat infants and children: Red Cross PALS, with a current BLS card.
• Anyone at risk of on-the-job exposure to blood: Bloodborne Pathogens Training, if your employer requires it.
• People who want to teach: Red Cross instructor training, once you hold a current certification in the discipline you plan to teach.