Fraud Alert - Beware of Fraudulent CPR Courses

fraud alert

How Do I Know If A Class Is Fraudulent?

Fraudulent American Heart Association (AHA) training courses have become increasingly common across California and the United States. This guide can help you can identify and avoid them.

If you’ve attended a fraudulent course, or suspect that a course you’re considering might be fake, it’s your responsibility to report it directly to the American Heart Association. Taking action helps protect others and maintains the integrity of AHA’s training programs.

fake CPR certification card

Summation of CPR Scams

Some signs to spot a fake CPR company:
BLS, ACLS, and PALS courses

Stacking - Teaching Classes Same Time

It’s simply not possible for a company to teach multiple courses like BLS, ACLS, and PALS simultaneously. These courses are unique—they each have different learning materials, including videos, tailored to specific content and objectives.

If you see a company listing all three courses starting at the exact same time, it’s a red flag. Teaching these classes requires individual focus, specific resources, and dedicated instructors for each course.

What to do: 
Email the American Heart Association at:
[email protected]

online ACLS courses

Online Only CPR Companies

The American Heart Association (AHA) does not certify training courses created by outside organizations. If you see terms like “AHA Certified,” “AHA Approved,” or “AHA Compliant” on materials or websites, they’re likely fake. Claims that courses are “created by AHA certified” individuals are also misleading and untrue. Beware of these false certifications, as legitimate AHA cards can only be issued by authorized training centers.

To complete an online CPR course, you must take it directly through the official American Heart Association platform. Additionally, the required skills testing must be done in person with a certified instructor or via a Voice-Assisted Manikin (VAM).

CPR course scams

Cash or Venmo Accepted Only

Always stick to safe payment methods when booking your CPR training. Avoid companies that only accept Venmo, cash, or PayPal. Some businesses use these payment methods to bypass taxes and often shut down quickly, leaving you with no way to hold them accountable.

Paying in cash also leaves you vulnerable. If you’re scammed, you won’t have any way to dispute the transaction or recover your money. Instead, choose to pay with a credit card. This gives you the protection to dispute charges if you never receive your certification card.

zoom CPR classes

Zoom Courses

Acceptable Courses Over Zoom

You can complete the official BLS Online Heartcode or Heartsaver Online CPR and First Aid course, then perform your skills test with an American Heart Association Instructor over Zoom. However, you must be in a professional setting equipped with CPR manikins to meet the requirements.

Unacceptable Courses Over Zoom

If you’re attending a Zoom session without having CPR manikins or an AED in front of you, the course will not meet acceptable standards. Simply put, you can’t complete a proper skills test without the necessary equipment.

Important note—ACLS or PALS skills testing via Zoom is strictly prohibited. These advanced courses require in-person evaluation to ensure proper skills application.

What to do:

Email the American Heart Association at: [email protected]

online CPR test fraud alert

Written Test Only

If you only take a written test from eLearning.heart.org and then receive an American Heart Association (AHA) certification card via email, you’ve been scammed. A valid AHA course requires hands-on practice with CPR manikins. Be cautious—without this practical component, the certification isn’t legitimate.

What to do: 
Email the American Heart Association at:
[email protected]

2020 BLS book

Book Policy

To meet the American Heart Association’s requirements for instructor-led courses, you must have a copy of the required book or eBook before, during, and after the class.

If a course provider lends, rents, or does not ask you to purchase the book, the class is not legitimate and violates AHA guidelines. Always ensure you’re enrolled in an authentic, compliant course.

What to do:
Email the American Heart Association at:[email protected]

group CPR classes

Instructor To Student Ratio

For effective training, maintaining the right instructor-to-student ratio is crucial. A balanced ratio ensures instructors can closely monitor learners’ progress and provide the necessary guidance. Here’s what you should keep in mind:

BLS (Basic Life Support): 1 instructor for every 9 students
ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support): 1 instructor for every 6 students
PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support): 1 instructor for every 6 students

If your course exceeds these ratios—say, one instructor managing more than 9 students in a BLS class—it’s important to report this to the American Heart Association. Doing so helps maintain the quality and safety of the training experience.

What to do:

Email the American Heart Association at: [email protected]

CPR classes in person's home

Classes Inside A Person's Home

Taking a class inside someone’s home or apartment might seem convenient, but it comes with significant risks such as:
length of CPR courses

Course Length For Instructor Led Training

Did you know that some CPR companies in California cut corners by offering courses that are shorter than they should be? This often happens to save money, but it compromises the quality of your training—whether you’re in a small group setting or having one-on-one instruction.

One red flag is when course times are listed with a clear start time but no end time. If the class duration doesn’t match standard guidelines, it’s likely the training isn’t legitimate. Protect yourself by ensuring your classes meet these time requirements:

BLS (Basic Life Support): 3-4 hours
ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support): 4-6 hours
PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support): 4-6 hours

CPR training nurses

Nurses And Professional Conduct

California nurses, dentists, and other medical professionals must adhere to a strict code of ethics. If you complete a CPR course that doesn’t meet proper guidelines, you may be required to retake the course or face disciplinary actions. Additionally, many schools and medical facilities reject certification cards from unaccredited or fraudulent CPR training programs.

If you’re a healthcare administrator, here’s a crucial tip: always ensure your staff is trained at a reputable American Heart Association (AHA) Training Center. By doing so, you protect your organization’s reputation and avoid unnecessary risks. After all, no one wants to see their facility making headlines (see below) for the wrong reasons.

fraudulent CPR training in the news

Fraudulent CPR Training In The News

CPR scams and fraudulent certification courses are unfortunately making headlines. Here are some notable cases that highlight the issue:

Resuscitation Quality Improvement by the American Heart Association

To ensure you’re taking a valid American Heart Association (AHA) course, we recommend enrolling in an official AHA Heartcode course—such as BLS CPR, ACLS, or PALS. Here’s how it works:

    • Complete the AHA Heartcode online course.
    • Practice your skills on a VAM (voice-assisted manikin) or with a virtual instructor.

Once you’ve completed the training, you’ll receive an official AHA certification card, valid for two years.

Safety Training Seminars offers these accredited courses in over 65 cities across Northern California. We’ve been proudly serving the community since 1989, with an AHA license number of 20784. Trusted by leading medical and healthcare organizations, over 60,000 students rely on us annually—and many return year after year.