BLS Instructor Trainer Course

  • Prerequisite
Candidate must be a currently recognized AHA BLS instructor with a minimum of 2 years' experience or equivalent instructor of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the American Red Cross or the Military Training Network for a minimum of 2 years.

The candidate must have a letter of recommendation from a current AHA BLS regional faculty member stating his or her reasons for supporting the candidate's desire to become a BLS instructor trainer.

The candidate must have a letter from a CTC coordinator that states not only the coordinator's desire to have the candidate become a BLS instructor trainer, but also confirms that the candidate will be registering with the CTC.

Willingness and desire to teach in accordance with the scientific and program guidelines of the AHA.

Each candidate must make a commitment to teach three classes per year according to the standards of the AHA, one of which includes an instructor or instructor renewal class. 

  • Textbook
AHA BLS Instructor's Manual
  • Target Audience
Designed for BLS instructors  interested in training others to become instructors.
  • Content
The participant should have information and skills necessary to complete all goals as defined in the current BLS instructor's manual.
  • Equipment
Adult, infant and child manikins; Recording manikins are required for obtaining the one and two man tape. Adults, children and infant manikins are necessary for checkoff skills. Audiovisual equipment as necessary.
  • Successful Completion
  1. Attendance at all sessions of the instructor trainer course.
  2. Satisfactory performance of lecture and skills presentation.
  3. A score of 84% or better must be achieved on the BLS instructor written test.
  4. After successful completion of an AHA instructor trainer course, the candidate must be monitored while teaching the first instructor course. This must take place as soon as possible after the course. An instructor trainer card will not be issued if monitoring takes place more than one year after the course.
  5. Skills in manikin maintenance must be demonstrated.
  • Cards
Upon receipt of a completed monitoring form indicating successful completion of teaching the first provider class, the title of instructor trainer may be added to the BLS instructor course completion card in lieu of a separate instructor trainer card. A copy of the monitor form is also provided to the new instructor trainer candidate's CTC. 

An AHA instructor trainer course completion card will be issued by the AHA in accordance with AHA guidelines upon successful completion of the course and receipt of a completed course roster, application (in forms section) and documentation that the candidate has been monitored.

The issue date of the card will match the date the candidate took the instructor trainer course and the renewal date is December 2 years from the issue. There is no grace period for instructor trainer recognition. The card is invalid after the date indicated on the card and the instructor may not participate in a renewal and will have to take the initial instructor trainer course again.

Note: a grace period of 90 days will be observed in event of illness, medical documentation will be required.

Instructor trainer cards can be revoked for disregard of AHA policies, procedures or standards, or failure of an instructor to perform stated job responsibilities as documented.

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