BLS vs CPR: what is the difference, and which one do you need?
People use "CPR" and "BLS" as if they were the same thing. They overlap, but they are different courses that lead to different cards, and choosing the wrong one costs you a second class.
CPR is a skill. BLS is a course.
CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is the hands-on skill of chest compressions and rescue breaths. Almost every life-support course teaches it. BLS, Basic Life Support, is the American Heart Association course written for people who work in healthcare. It includes CPR and then goes further into the skills a clinical team is expected to have.
So when a job posting asks for "CPR certification", the real question is which course they mean. In healthcare settings the answer is almost always the BLS Provider card.
What a BLS course covers that a CPR class does not
- High-quality CPR for adults, children and infants, with the compression rate and depth measured against AHA standards
- Two-rescuer CPR and the handoffs that go with it
- Bag-mask ventilation, the device used in clinical settings instead of mouth-to-mouth
- Using an AED as part of a team, not only on your own
- Relief of choking in adults, children and infants
- Team resuscitation: roles, closed-loop communication and how a code actually runs
The course that most people mean by "a CPR class" is the AHA Heartsaver CPR AED course. It teaches CPR, AED use and choking relief for lay rescuers such as teachers, coaches, office staff and parents. It does not cover bag-mask ventilation or team resuscitation, and it is not written for a clinical audience.
Who needs BLS
- Nurses, CNAs, medical assistants, respiratory therapists and physicians
- Nursing, CNA, EMT and allied health students before clinical placements
- Dental, pharmacy and imaging staff whose employer requires it
- Anyone whose facility keeps a "current BLS on file" requirement
If you are in any of those groups, take BLS. A Heartsaver card will usually not be accepted in a clinical role, and you will end up paying for a second class.
Who is fine with Heartsaver CPR AED
- Workplaces meeting a general CPR requirement, such as offices, gyms and warehouses
- Teachers, coaches, childcare and camp staff
- Security personnel and community volunteers
- Parents and members of the public who want to be ready
Both courses end with an AHA eCard
Whichever course you take with an AHA Training Site, you finish with an American Heart Association eCard that is valid for two years. The card names the course, so an employer can see at a glance whether you hold BLS Provider or Heartsaver.
Still not sure which one your role needs? Ask us before you book. We would rather point you to the right class than sell you the wrong one.
Common questions
- Is BLS the same as CPR certification?
- No. CPR is a skill taught in several courses. BLS is the AHA healthcare-provider course that includes CPR plus bag-mask ventilation, two-rescuer CPR and team resuscitation. Employers in healthcare usually mean BLS when they say "CPR certification".
- Does BLS include CPR?
- Yes. BLS teaches high-quality CPR for adults, children and infants, along with AED use and choking relief.
- Is BLS harder than CPR?
- BLS covers more ground and is assessed against clinical standards, so it is more demanding than a Heartsaver class. It is still designed for people with no prior experience, including first-year students.
- Can I use a Heartsaver card for a nursing job?
- Usually not. Clinical employers and nursing programs almost always require the BLS Provider card. Check the exact wording of the requirement before you book.
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