American Red Cross vs. American Heart Association: Which CPR Curriculum Should You Teach?

So, you’re ready to start your CPR training business, but now comes the big question—which certification program should you teach?

The two heavyweights in the industry are the American Red Cross (ARC) and the American Heart Association (AHA). Both offer high-quality CPR courses, both are widely accepted across the U.S., and both will make you a great instructor.

But which one is right for you?

I’ve been an instructor with both organizations for over 20 years, and today, I’m breaking down the differences—pricing, class formats, materials, ease of use, and which one is best for new instructors.

Let’s dive in!

Overview:

Red Cross vs. American Heart Association

Both organizations offer two primary types of CPR training:

1. Basic Life Support (BLS): Required for healthcare providers—doctors, nurses, EMTs, firefighters, police officers, and lifeguards.

2. Lay Rescuer CPR: For non-healthcare professionals like teachers, coaches, personal trainers, and daycare workers. (AHA calls this Heartsaver®; ARC keeps it simple—just CPR & First Aid.)

Both organizations follow the same scientific guidelines (ILCOR), so the actual CPR techniques you teach are virtually identical. The differences are all about cost, administration, and ease of use.

1: Instructor Costs & Materials

🚨 Biggest difference alert! 🚨

American Red Cross (ARC) - Low-Cost & Digital

• Instructor manuals, student materials, and videos are FREE online.

• No DVDs or books to buy. You can stream or download everything.

• If you really want hard copies, you can buy them, but 99% of instructors don’t need to.

American Heart Association (AHA) - Pay Upfront

• Instructor manuals, videos, and course materials must be purchased—this can cost several hundred dollars.

• Every student must have a physical book ($19 each), even if they never open it.

• Some materials can be viewed online, but you can’t download them for free.

Winner for new instructors? American Red Cross. Lower upfront costs make it easier to get started.

2: Class Delivery Methods

Both organizations allow you to teach CPR in four different ways:

1️⃣ Traditional Classroom Training: Lecture, video, skills practice, and a written test—all in person.

2️⃣ Blended Learning: Students complete the lecture and written test online first, then come to class for the skills session. (Most popular option today!)

3️⃣ Review Course: A shorter refresher course for students who are already certified.

4️⃣ Challenge Course: The fastest method—students take the test and demonstrate skills without any instruction (popular for doctors).

No winner here—both offer the same flexibility!

3: Pricing - Which One Saves You Money?

Basic Life Support (BLS) - For Healthcare Providers

Program	Red Cross	AHA
Classroom Course	$27 (flat fee)	~$25 (book + certification card)
Blended Learning	$27 (flat fee)	~$42 ($36 online + $6-$10 certification)
Review Course	$27	~$6-$10 (if students have their old book)
Challenge Course	$27	~$6-$10 (if students have their old book)

🔹 For initial BLS certification, American Red Cross is cheaper.🔹 For review/challenge courses (like in fire departments), American Heart Association can be cheaper if you have books available.

Lay Rescuer CPR (Heartsaver®) - For Non-Medical Professionals

Program	Red Cross	AHA
Classroom Course	$40 (flat fee)	~$30 ($3 book + $27 card fee)
Blended Learning	$40 (flat fee)	~$30

AHA is slightly cheaper, but here’s the catch…

🔹 AHA’s program is confusing—there are multiple versions of Heartsaver®, making it a pain for new instructors to manage.

🔹 ARC keeps it simple: One standard price, no extra versions to deal with.

Winner? ARC, because it’s easier to manage. The price difference is small, but the admin headaches with AHA’s Heartsaver® program aren’t worth it.

4: Class Administration & Reporting

If you’re running a CPR business, class administration is a huge factor.

American Red Cross - Super Easy

✅ Online portal (Red Cross Learning Center)—report your classes and issue certifications in minutes.

✅ No pre-purchasing required—order cards as needed.

✅ No extra software needed.

American Heart Association - Extra Steps

❌ You must pre-purchase certification cards (can get expensive).

❌ Each training center has different reporting requirements—some require paper rosters, others use paid software like Enrollware.

❌ Complicated administration—you might need to buy additional software or deal with multiple reporting methods.

Winner? American Red Cross. If you want easy class management, ARC is the way to go.

5: Special Requirements (Equipment & Support)

AHA Requires Special "Feedback" Mannequins for BLS

If you teach BLS for AHA, you MUST use high-tech mannequins with built-in compression feedback.

✔️ Laerdal QCPR mannequins (sync with a tablet for real-time feedback)

✔️ Prestan mannequins (lights on the shoulder to show correct depth/speed)

American Red Cross does NOT require this extra equipment, but I recommend using feedback mannequins anyway—they improve student learning and make you look more professional.

6: Instructor Support - Who Helps You More?

American Red Cross - Best Support

✅ Live chat, phone support (1-800-RED-CROSS), and online case submission.

✅ Clear guidance for instructors.

✅ No need to rely on third-party training centers for help.

American Heart Association - Limited Support

❌ No central support—you rely on your training center or training site.

❌ Quality varies—some centers are great, others... not so much.

Winner? Red Cross. If you ever need help, ARC actually picks up the phone.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Teach?

New Instructors → Start with the American Red Cross

✔️ Lower upfront costs

✔️ Free instructor materials

✔️ Easy class administration

✔️ Better support

Experienced Instructors → Teach Both

✔️ American Red Cross for easier class management & blended learning

✔️ American Heart Association for fire departments & hospitals that prefer it

Best Business Decision? Teach both and give your clients options!

What’s Your Next Step?

Which one do you think is the best fit for your business? Let me know in the comments!

Join the conversation using #CPRtoCEO and share your thoughts!

Need help getting started? Drop a comment or message me—I’d love to help you navigate your CPR instructor journey!