Buyer Beware! Don’t Be Fooled by Online-Only CPR or First Aid Certification Scams

Please pay close attention to the validity of the certification you are receiving

They’re everywhere on the Internet: seemingly legitimate organizations offering “instant” CPR or first aid certification for busy people who are required to hold current certification.  And it often says right on those websites that online-only CPR or first aid certification is “nationally accepted“.  It is not.  No major nationally recognized training program in the United States endorses certification without practice and evaluation of hands-on skills.  According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) online training alone does not meet OSHA first aid and CPR training requirements.

What to Avoid When Shopping Online for Training

Common buzzwords and phrases to look for:

• Online CPR cards, download instantly
• Download your certification card right after finishing your course
• No hands-on skills required
• 100% online
• Immediate certificate or wallet card
• Have your card/be certified today
• Nationally validated, nationally recognized = there is no nationally accrediting or governing body for emergency care training
• Full refund if not accepted

Blended Learning Is Not Online-Only Learning

Blended learning is a training delivery model that combines online course content with in-person, hands-on skills evaluation. Online-only training features no hands-on component.

Digital Certification Cards Are Not the Same as Instant Cards

A digital certification card is a PDF or other electronic version of the card you earned in your training class. In a legitimate training course (whether classroom or blended), you will be issued your certification card (whether print or digital) only after demonstrating your understanding of course content and successful, hands-on performance of the techniques covered in the course.