AHA PEARS Certification in Reno
Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization for nurses, EMTs, and clinic staff who rarely treat critically ill children. Learn to spot trouble early and stabilize a child until help arrives.
- $150
- Same-day eCard
- Valid 2 years
I have over 45 years of nursing which required BLS, PALS, ACLS + AED. I can honestly state that Terry’s class was one of the best in all of my history. His presentation is clear, concise + meaningful.
The PALS class was highly recommended and did not disappoint. The instructor was very knowledgeable and helpful. Would recommend the class to anyone who is interested. I will definitely be back for future certifications.
I completed my ACLS and PALS with Sierra BLS and it was a great learning experience. The instructor is very knowledgeable and patient... 5/5, highly recommend.
Larry was fantastic! Class was broken into easily digestible sections, the mannequins & equipment was perfect for learning. Larry is so knowledgeable from his education and experience in the military and medical facilities. Highly recommend his courses.
You can tell Terance genuinely cares about his students’ success. Such a professional and supportive environment... As a ICU nurse I recommend the BLS & ACLS classes!
The instructor for the class was very helpful and flexible to help me get my certification when I needed it with short notice. AHA’s website was down the day of our class, but the instructor was prepared with alternatives to help me still get my AHA certification that day.
My husband and I just completed our renewal for BLS and ACLS training there and had a great experience. He worked with us based on our comfort level and prior knowledge... You can tell he genuinely cares about his work and the community he serves.
Upcoming PEARS dates
Tap Register on any date to book online. Dates update live from our schedule.
All PEARS classes meet at 255 W Moana Ln, Suite 200 in Reno, an easy drive for school nurses, EMS crews, and clinic staff from Sparks, Carson City, Fernley, and Lake Tahoe.
PEARS or PALS?
Both are American Heart Association pediatric courses. Here is how to tell which one your role needs.
PEARS
For providers who rarely care for critically ill or injured children. You learn a fast, systematic assessment, how to recognize respiratory distress, shock, and cardiopulmonary arrest early, and what to do in the first minutes until advanced help takes over.
See PEARS datesPALS
For clinicians who lead pediatric resuscitations in emergency, ICU, and transport settings. PALS adds rhythm recognition, medications, and advanced resuscitation management, and it requires a current BLS card.
Go to PALSInside our Reno classroom
Small classes, child and infant manikins, and realistic pediatric scenarios at 255 W Moana Ln, Suite 200.
Why take PEARS with Hinson CPR
Our AHA PEARS course gives you a simple, repeatable way to assess a sick or injured child, recognize respiratory distress and shock before they become an arrest, and stabilize the child until advanced help arrives. It is built for providers who don't see pediatric emergencies every day.
Same-day eCard
Pass the course and your AHA PEARS Provider eCard is issued the same day.
Small classes
More hands-on time with child and infant manikins, and more time for your questions.
Realistic pediatric cases
Video-based cases and team scenarios that put assessment and stabilization into practice.
Built for non-pediatric settings
Practical skills for schools, clinics, urgent care, and EMS, where sick kids are rare but high stakes.
Experienced instructors
Taught by experienced AHA instructors with flight and critical care backgrounds.
Continuing education
Approved CEU provider through the Nevada State Board of Nursing. AHA courses are CAPCE accredited for EMS.
Your official AHA eCard
The American Heart Association eCard is your official PEARS credential. It arrives by email the day you pass, and employers can verify it online in seconds.
What you'll learn in PEARS
Systematic pediatric assessment
A repeatable evaluate, identify, and intervene approach to judge how sick a child is.
Respiratory emergencies
Recognizing respiratory distress and failure, and stabilizing with positioning, oxygen, and ventilation.
Shock emergencies
Spotting the early signs of shock in infants and children and starting initial care.
Cardiopulmonary arrest
Recognizing arrest fast and starting high-quality child and infant CPR with an AED.
Child and infant BLS
1- and 2-rescuer child and infant CPR, AED use, and bag-mask ventilation.
Resuscitation team concept
Clear roles and communication while you stabilize a child and hand off care.
Who should take PEARS?
PEARS is for healthcare providers and others who may face a pediatric emergency at work but rarely care for critically ill or injured children.
- Nurses, physicians, NPs, and PAs outside pediatrics and critical care
- EMTs and other prehospital providers
- School nurses and school-based health staff
- Urgent care, outpatient clinic, and respiratory therapy staff
Lead pediatric resuscitations or work in a pediatric ED, PICU, or NICU? You likely need PALS instead.
See PALS datesOn class day
- Bring a photo ID.
- Plan for a full class, about 9 hours with breaks.
- Wear comfortable clothes for hands-on practice.
- Arrive about 10 minutes early to park and find Suite 200.
PEARS questions
What is PEARS?
PEARS stands for Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization. It is an American Heart Association course that teaches healthcare providers who rarely treat critically ill children how to assess a sick or injured child, recognize respiratory emergencies, shock, and cardiopulmonary arrest, and stabilize the child until advanced help takes over.
How long is PEARS certification valid?
Your AHA PEARS Provider card is valid for 2 years.
How much does PEARS cost?
PEARS is $150. Books or add-ons are extra if you need them.
Do I need PEARS or PALS?
PEARS is for providers who rarely see critically ill children and need to recognize and stabilize them. PALS goes further into rhythm recognition, medications, and leading a pediatric resuscitation, and it requires a current BLS card. If your employer names a course, take that one. Not sure? Text (775) 235-2117 and we will help you choose.
How long is the PEARS class?
The AHA PEARS course runs about 9 hours with breaks. The start time is listed on the date you register for.
Is there an online or HeartCode version of PEARS?
No. PEARS is an instructor-led classroom course with hands-on practice, taken in our Reno classroom.
Does PEARS include BLS certification?
No. You practice and test child and infant CPR during PEARS, but it does not issue a BLS card. If you also need BLS, see our BLS classes.
What do I need to pass?
Take part in the hands-on practice, pass the child and infant CPR and AED skills tests, and score at least 84% on the written exam.
How do I register?
Pick a date at the top of this page and tap Register to finish on our secure checkout. If no dates are posted yet, text (775) 235-2117 to ask about the next class. Registration and payment are online only, so we can't take them over the phone.
What if I need to change my date?
Contact us before your class. Reschedule fees apply, and all purchases are nonrefundable. Full details are in our terms and conditions.
Can you train our whole team?
Yes. We schedule private PEARS classes for schools, clinics, urgent care centers, and EMS agencies. Text or call (775) 235-2117 to set one up.
Is Hinson CPR the same as Sierra BLS?
Yes. Hinson CPR is the new name for Sierra BLS. Same owner, same classroom on Moana Lane, and the same American Heart Association Training Site.
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.
What our students say
Rated 5.0 stars on Google from more than 330 student reviews.
The class was very informative and the hands-on were great. Larry is a very thorough teacher and was eager to answer any and all questions and explained different situations to help us understand the “why”. I would recommend his class to anyone.
Excellent experience overall. Instructor was prepared and able to answer all questions throughout. The instructor has a ton of experience and was able to properly correct our efforts without making us feel dumb. He was both patient and professional in all dealings.
Our team was due for BLS and ACLS. They were very flexible and accommodating with our schedule. Terance was knowledgeable and fun to work with. We will be using them again.
Sierra BLS is a great place in Reno to get your BLS, ACLS, etc. Terry is a brainiac, patient, eager to see others “get it” and his mega codes are truly a group effort, capitalizing on each participant’s skill set.
I highly recommend this company if you’re looking to get your BLS/ACLS. The instructor, Terrance is extremely knowledgeable and a great teacher. He’s very patient and understanding, and he will make sure to have all of your questions answered by the end of the day.
It was so nice to find an on site course in a snap. I searched and found on a Tuesday and was completing my recert that Friday.
Be ready when a child needs help
Book your PEARS class for hands-on pediatric scenarios, expert instruction, and your AHA eCard the day you finish.