The American Heart Association offers two main CPR tracks. The names sound similar, but the audience, depth, and testing are different.
BLS Provider — for healthcare
BLS (Basic Life Support) is the standard for people who respond to emergencies as part of their job: nurses, EMTs, paramedics, medical and nursing students, dental staff, and many clinic and hospital roles. It moves faster, covers team-based resuscitation, bag-mask ventilation, and high-performance CPR for adults, children, and infants. Expect a written exam and a hands-on skills check.
Heartsaver — for everyone else
Heartsaver CPR/AED is built for the general public and the workplace: teachers, coaches, gym staff, construction crews, office safety officers, parents, and caregivers. It teaches the same lifesaving compressions and AED use, plus optional first aid, but in plainer language and without the clinical team focus. There is no written test pressure — it is competency-based.
Rule of thumb
If your license, job, or school requires a card, you almost certainly need BLS. If you just want to be ready to help — at work or at home — Heartsaver is the right fit.
Still not sure?
Tell us your role and we will point you to the right class. Read what to expect in a Heartsaver class or a BLS Provider class.