Prior approval is required to register for an instructor class.  If you are interested in registering, please call or email us with information on your background and what classes you plan to teach. 

Class will be held at our office:  3535 N. California Ave, Peoria IL 61603

The next Instructor class held at our office will be:

Saturday, August 29, 2026 – 9am

If interested, please contact Melissa Powell at:  mkpowellcpr@gmail.com 

Please attach your current BLS card, a short Bio, and what classes you plan to teach.

Certification as an American Heart Association Instructor includes the following steps:

1.  Completion of an In-Person Instructor course (hands-on course)

2.  Completion of an On-Line Essentials course (self-paced eLearning course)

3.  Course Observation of a course conducted by a Training Center Faculty member   ( If you would like to observe more than one class before teaching your first class, you are welcome to do so.)

4.  Course Monitoring of your first BLS or Heartsaver CPR & AED Class  

Description:  Participants will learn the format of AHA classes, how to demonstrate CPR skills according to American Heart Association guidelines, how to correct faulty CPR performance, and how to fairly and accurately evaluate student performance. While you will not learn CPR during the Instructor course, it will be reviewed, and CPR competency will be evaluated. It is expected that you have good CPR skills and the ability to speak to groups.

Attention will be paid to the current guidelines and the additional topics of Choking Response and Opioid Overdose. You will gain familiarity with AHA video instruction, hands-on practice, and instructor led discussions. 

Time: Training consists of a one-day classroom course, a self-directed eLearning course, and student teaching requirements.

Course Completion Card: Participants will receive an American Heart Association CPR Instructor card that is valid for two years and will be able to teach:

• CPR & AED (adult / child / infant)
• Basic Life Support  (for healthcare providers)
• Basic First Aid
• Pediatric First Aid
• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Family & Friends CPR

To maintain your certification, you are required to teach at least two classes per year.   Bi-annual class observation and site visits are required to renew your certification.  Participation in guideline changes and updates are also required as they become available.

Prerequisite: Current American Heart Association CPR Card.  If you plan to teach classes for healthcare providers, you must have a current AHA BLS Card.*  If you plan to teach Heartsaver Level classes, the Heartsaver CPR / AED Certification is required.

Additional Expenses:  The Instructor is responsible for AHA Materials (DVDs and Manuals), Training Equipment, and Course Completion eCards.  

AHA Disclaimer – The American Heart Association strongly promotes knowledge and proficiency in BLS, ACLS, and PALS and has developed instructional materials for this purpose. Use of these materials in an educational course does not represent course sponsorship by the American Heart Association.  Any fees charged for such a course, except for a portion of fees needed for AHA course materials, do not represent income to the Association.Edit

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