Introduction
A CPR card is a lifesaving tool for any first responder, but it's not a permanent license to perform chest compressions on anyone and everyone. In fact, your card may expire if you don't renew it within 1 year—and that's important to remember if you want the ability to save lives in an emergency situation!
Why CPR Renewal?
CPR is a life-saving skill. It is recommended that everyone should know how to perform CPR on anyone, anytime, anywhere. You can save a life by knowing CPR.
CPR skills are relevant to many professions including healthcare providers such as doctors, nurses and paramedics; police officers who may find themselves first responders; firefighters who are often first on scene at medical emergencies; security guards who may be called upon in an emergency situation; lifeguards who work at swimming pools or other water related venues where drowning is possible; camp counselors who supervise children during summer camps; teachers who teach classes such as gym class where students might experience injuries requiring emergency medical care outside of school hours (or even within school hours if there isn't access available).
How Long Does a CPR Renewal Last?
The length of your CPR renewal is dependent on your state's requirements and how long you have been practicing. Some states require that you renew every year. If you're unsure about how often to renew, contact your local board or agency for more information.
What Are the Requirements for Renewing a CPR Card?
To renew your CPR card, you'll need to:
- Be at least 18 years old. You must be able to demonstrate that you are in good health and physically capable of performing CPR.
- Have a current and valid CPR card (or proof of having taken a course). This can be either an actual card or documentation from your instructor showing that they gave you the course within the past two years. You should also provide this documentation when applying for renewal online with RRCA's partner organizations; however, if you don't have it handy when applying online then simply write "I do not have proof of completion" on the form instead of leaving it blank--the application will still process normally without anything else needed on their end!
- Demonstrate knowledge about how to perform CPR and first aid techniques by taking either an online test or attending an in-person class offered by one of RRCA's partners (see below).
How Much Does a CPR Renewal Cost?
The cost of a CPR renewal course varies depending on the provider, but it's typically around $40. That includes the course and your new card (you'll need to pay extra if you want a wallet-sized version). You can save money by taking the class in person rather than online; some providers offer discounts on these courses as well. If there's one thing we know about taxes, it's that they're unavoidable! So why not save yourself some cash?
In addition to the above-mentioned rules, some states require that you take continuing education courses in order to renew your certification. These courses can be taken online or through an instructor-led seminar; however, they must be approved by your state's board before applying for renewal.
Are There Other Requirements for Getting a CPR Card in the U.S.?
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must have a high school diploma or GED.
- You must have a current CPR card in order to renew it, but only if you're applying for your first renewal after January 1, 2018 (before this date, you only needed one course). If your card was issued before that date and expires after it, then no additional training is required when applying for renewal since all courses are now valid for one year.
The good news is that you can use your tax return to pay for a CPR class. You can also use coupons and promo codes to save some money on the course.
It's important to renew your card on time, even if you rarely use it.
It's easy to forget about the renewal process, especially if you rarely use it. If your card has expired and you try to use it, the person checking your credentials might think that you are not up-to-date with your training or have forgotten what they are supposed to look like. The fact that you have renewed on time shows them that this is not true and increases their confidence in the validity of your card.
As well as being more professional, renewing in time also helps ensure that all of the information on your card remains accurate and relevant--for example, if they discover an error after renewing but before using their new CPR certificate again then they may needlessly waste time having their old one reprinted or replaced with a new one (which could even cost money).
Conclusion
As we've seen, CPR is an important skill that can save lives. And with the proper training and preparation, you can be ready to help at a moment's notice. But it's also vital that you keep track of your CPR card so that you know when it expires and when it needs to be renewed. The process isn't difficult--but if you don't renew on time, then your ability to perform lifesaving procedures may be compromised!
