Course Overview
The AHA Instructor Course trains individuals to effectively teach BLS or Heartsaver courses. Through online and in-person training, you will learn instructional techniques, gain hands-on experience, and receive mentorship to support your success as a certified AHA Instructor.
Duration and Audience
- Blended Learning: 2 hours online, 8 hours in-person, excluding monitoring.
- Total Commitment: Approximately 12 hours, including teaching your first course.
- Audience: Healthcare providers, workplace safety trainers, educators, and anyone passionate about teaching lifesaving skills.
Steps to Become an AHA Instructor
- Complete the prerequisites. Hold a current AHA Provider certification for the discipline you wish to teach and request an AHA Instructor Candidate Application through our contact form.
- Enroll in the AHA Instructor Course. Choose the discipline you want to teach: BLS Instructor or Heartsaver Instructor.
- Complete Online Instructor Essentials. This self-paced module introduces AHA teaching philosophy and course administration processes.
- Attend the in-person instructor training. Practice teaching, review course materials, and receive feedback from experienced AHA Training Faculty.
- Complete a monitoring session. Teach your first class under supervision so you are prepared to lead courses independently.
- Receive your instructor certification. Once all steps are complete, you will receive your AHA Instructor eCard, valid for two years.
Certification Details
- Instructor Certification Validity: 2 years.
- Renewal Requirements: Teach at least four courses and complete an Instructor Renewal session every two years.