Most roles that supervise, care for, or train other people are expected to hold current CPR certification. Which course you need depends on whether you work in healthcare or in a general workplace.
The short answer
If your job involves supervising children, coaching or training clients, caring for patients, or being a designated workplace responder, you almost certainly need current CPR certification.
Healthcare roles generally require BLS for Healthcare Providers. Almost everyone else needs CPR & AED, often combined with First Aid.
Teachers and school staff
Many districts require CPR and First Aid certification for classroom teachers, and nearly all require it for coaches, athletic staff, school nurses, and anyone supervising field trips or after-school programs.
CPR & AED or the combined First Aid & CPR/AED course covers what schools typically ask for. Check your district's handbook for a required renewal interval, which may be shorter than the two-year card.
Coaches and fitness professionals
Personal trainers, group fitness instructors, and youth sports coaches are usually required to hold current CPR/AED certification by their certifying body, gym, or league. Some certifying bodies also require First Aid.
The combined First Aid & CPR/AED course is the most common fit here, since it covers both cardiac emergencies and the sprains, fractures, and heat illness more typical of athletic settings.
Childcare and early education
State childcare licensing rules commonly require pediatric CPR and First Aid for staff, and several states require annual rather than biennial renewal.
CPR & AED covers adult, child, and infant CPR, including infant choking response. Pair it with First Aid to meet the broader licensing requirement, and follow whichever renewal interval your state specifies.
Healthcare and clinical roles
Nurses, medical assistants, dental staff, EMS personnel, and clinical students are generally required to hold BLS for Healthcare Providers, not general CPR. BLS adds team resuscitation, bag-mask ventilation, pulse checks, and multi-rescuer sequencing.
Important limitation: many hospitals, nursing programs, and licensing boards require an in-person hands-on skills check in addition to cognitive training. Online cognitive training alone does not satisfy that requirement. Confirm with your employer or program before certifying.
General workplaces
OSHA requires adequate first aid provision at every workplace, and trained responders when emergency medical services are not in close proximity. Employees with reasonably anticipated exposure to blood or body fluids also need bloodborne pathogens training, repeated annually.
For most offices, warehouses, restaurants, and retail sites, designating a few staff with CPR & AED and First Aid certification is the practical way to meet that expectation.
Which CPR course do I need for my job?
Healthcare roles generally need BLS for Healthcare Providers. Teachers, coaches, childcare staff, trainers, and general workplace responders need CPR & AED, often combined with First Aid.
Is CPR certification legally required?
It depends on your role and state. OSHA requires adequate first aid provision and trained responders in many workplaces, and state licensing rules require certification for childcare, education, and healthcare roles. Many other employers require it as a condition of employment rather than by law.
Do I need First Aid as well as CPR?
Many employers and licensing bodies ask for both. The combined First Aid & CPR/AED course covers them in a single certification and one exam.
Will my employer accept an online certification?
Most employers accept online cognitive certification for workplace compliance, and each card carries a verification ID they can check. Clinical roles and some licensing boards additionally require an in-person hands-on skills evaluation.