Most CPR, BLS, and First Aid certifications are valid for two years from the issue date. Some employers and licensing boards require annual renewal.
The short answer
Most CPR certifications are valid for two years from the date they are issued. That is the standard interval used across the industry, and it is the interval National CPR Institute of Education uses for CPR, BLS, and First Aid certifications.
Bloodborne Pathogens training is the common exception. OSHA requires bloodborne pathogens training to be repeated annually for employees with occupational exposure, so that certification is issued for one year.
Why two years?
Resuscitation guidelines are reviewed on a five-year cycle by ILCOR and the American Heart Association, but skill retention degrades much faster than the science changes. Studies consistently show that compression depth, compression rate, and confidence drop measurably within six to twelve months of training.
Two years is the compromise the industry settled on: long enough to be practical, short enough that a responder is unlikely to be working from badly decayed skills.
When you may need to renew sooner
Your certification card sets an outer limit. Your employer, state licensing board, or accrediting body can set a shorter one.
Healthcare employers frequently require annual BLS competency checks. Childcare licensing in several states requires yearly renewal. School districts, fitness facilities, and some staffing agencies also set their own intervals. Always follow the shorter of the two requirements.
What happens when it expires
An expired certification is simply no longer valid proof of training. There is no grace period and no penalty — you retake the course and exam and receive a new two-year certification.
There is also no 'lapsed' penalty pricing here. Renewal costs exactly the same as a first certification, and the course is the same course.
How to renew online
Renewal through National CPR Institute of Education takes most people about an hour. The full course is free to read and study. You take the exam when you are ready, pay only after your exam is passed, and download and print your certification card immediately.
You can look up an existing certification at any time using the Find My Certificate page — no account digging required.
How long is CPR certification good for?
Two years from the issue date for CPR, BLS, and First Aid. Bloodborne Pathogens certification is valid for one year because OSHA requires annual retraining.
Is there a grace period after my CPR card expires?
No. Once the expiration date passes, the certification is no longer valid and you need to recertify. Recertifying is the same course, exam, and price as an initial certification.
Can I renew my CPR certification online?
Yes. The entire course and exam are online and self-paced, and your new certification card is available to print the moment you pass and pay.