We teach CPR and AED as part of a single American Red Cross class that also covers First Aid: First Aid, CPR & AED Training, $100. There is no CPR-only option. If you are comparing providers, that is worth knowing up front, because the combined class is priced at what most training centers in the area charge for CPR alone.
Certification matters because many employers, schools, and programs require proof of current training. A certification shows you have practiced the skills hands-on, not just read about them.
These three certifications overlap but serve different needs. CPR certification focuses on cardiac and breathing emergency response, usually with AED training included. First Aid certification covers response to injuries and sudden illness; many people take a combined First Aid and CPR course for broader coverage. BLS, Basic Life Support, is the advanced certification for healthcare and patient-care professionals, and includes team-based response techniques beyond standard CPR. The simplest rule: match the certification to what your employer, school, or program requires.
American Red Cross CPR, First Aid and AED certification is valid for 2 years from the course completion date. To stay current, retake the certification before it expires. The CORE Academy delivers the class through blended learning (online coursework plus an in-person skills session) and issues a digital American Red Cross certificate once you pass both the theory and skills tests.
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American Red Cross CPR certification at The CORE Academy uses a blended learning format. There are two steps:
You attend the in-person skills session at The CORE Academy in Wilkes-Barre, where you practice on training manikins and AED equipment with a certified Red Cross instructor. Your digital certificate is issued after passing both steps. Both steps are required. You receive a digital American Red Cross certificate valid for 2 years.
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