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Your CPR card has an expiration date, and it tends to sneak up on you right when a new job, a clinical rotation, or a license renewal needs it. Here's exactly how long CPR certification lasts, how to check yours in under a minute, and the fastest way to renew in Reno.
How long CPR certification lasts
American Heart Association (AHA) course cards are valid for two years. That includes every AHA course we teach in Reno:
- Heartsaver CPR AED and First Aid: 2 years
- BLS (Basic Life Support): 2 years
- ACLS and PALS: 2 years
- PEARS: 2 years
The AHA counts to the end of the month. Your card is valid for two years through the end of the month it was issued, and your eCard shows that date as a month and year. Take BLS on March 14, 2025, and your card is current through March 31, 2027.
American Red Cross CPR and BLS certificates are also valid for two years. Other providers vary, so go by the date on your card.
Took a class with Sierra BLS? Hinson CPR is our new name. Same owner, same classroom on Moana Lane, and your card is just as valid as the day you earned it.
How to check if your CPR card is still valid
If you trained in the last few years, your card is almost certainly digital. AHA cards are eCards, and you can pull yours up anytime:
- Go to ecards.heart.org.
- Enter your first name, last name, and email address, or the eCard code from your card.
- Open the eCard to see the course, issue date, and renew-by date. Save it as a PDF or email it straight to your employer.
Red Cross certificates are at redcross.org, where you can search by email, name, or certificate ID.
Can't find your eCard?
- Search with every email you might have used, including school and work addresses.
- Try other spellings of your name, like a nickname or a former last name.
- Check your spam folder for a message from eCards@heart.org.
- Training Centers have up to 20 business days to issue an eCard. If it's been longer, contact the Training Center or instructor who taught your class.
Trained with us or with Sierra BLS? Text (775) 235-2117 and we'll look it up for you.
When to renew your CPR or BLS card
Book your renewal a few weeks before your card's month ends. Classes fill up, and Reno employers, nursing programs, and EMS agencies want a current card on file before yours lapses, not after.
If your card is still current, you can take the renewal course, which costs less than the full course. Either way, you can choose the format that fits your schedule:
- Classroom: the full course in person with an instructor, start to finish.
- HeartCode blended: complete the AHA's online portion at your own pace, then finish with a hands-on skills session in our Reno classroom.
Both formats end with the same two-year AHA eCard.
What happens if your CPR card expires
The AHA doesn't offer a grace period. Once your card's month ends, you're no longer certified, and if your job requires a current card, you may not be able to work until you renew.
An expired card means taking the full course instead of the renewal course. The good news: it's still a single visit, and you'll have your new eCard the same day you pass.
CPR vs. BLS: which card do you need?
"CPR certification" can mean two different AHA courses, and picking the wrong one is the most common mix-up we see.
- BLS (Basic Life Support) is CPR for healthcare providers and students: nurses, CNAs, medical assistants, EMTs, paramedics, dental teams, physicians, and anyone in a healthcare program. TMCC's EMS program, for example, accepts only AHA BLS.
- Heartsaver CPR AED is CPR for everyone else: teachers, coaches, child care providers, fitness instructors, workplace responders, and parents. Nevada's child care licensing rules require CPR certification for child care staff.
If your job, school, or license asks for BLS, BLS Provider, or CPR for healthcare providers, take BLS. A Heartsaver card won't meet that requirement. When in doubt, ask your employer, or text us and we'll help you pick.
How to renew CPR or BLS in Reno
Hinson CPR, formerly Sierra BLS, is an American Heart Association Training Site at 255 W Moana Ln, Suite 200, in Reno. We train students from Reno, Sparks, Carson City, and across northern Nevada, and you leave with your eCard the same day you pass.
- BLS: $47 to $70
- Heartsaver CPR and First Aid: $60 to $95
- ACLS: $100 to $225
Pick a date on our class schedule. Registration and payment are online only, so you can book in a couple of minutes from your phone.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a grace period for an expired CPR card?
No. AHA cards are valid through the end of the month shown on the card. After that, you'll need to take the full course again.
How do I get a copy of my CPR card?
Go to ecards.heart.org and search with your name and email or your eCard code. You can view, download, or email your eCard anytime. Red Cross certificates are at redcross.org.
Is online-only CPR certification valid?
Not for an AHA card. The AHA doesn't issue cards without a hands-on skills test, and most employers that require CPR won't accept online-only certificates. AHA HeartCode is different: it's online learning followed by an in-person skills session.
Do the 2025 AHA Guidelines mean I need to recertify early?
No. Your card stays valid until the date on it. Your next course will cover the 2025 Guidelines, including the updated infant CPR and choking steps.
Does BLS count as CPR certification?
Usually, yes. BLS is the healthcare provider level of CPR, so it typically covers a CPR requirement. The reverse isn't true: a Heartsaver card won't satisfy a BLS requirement.
Can my whole team renew together?
Yes. We schedule private classes for groups and teams. Text or call (775) 235-2117 to set one up.
This article is general information for students and healthcare providers. It is not medical advice and does not replace the AHA's current guidelines and course materials or your local protocols.
The American Heart Association strongly promotes knowledge and proficiency in all AHA courses and has developed instructional materials for this purpose. Use of these materials in an educational course does not represent course sponsorship by the AHA. Any fees charged for such a course, except for a portion of fees needed for AHA course materials, do not represent income to the AHA.