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🩺 **Do You Need AHA BLS or Red Cross BLS?**

Choosing the correct certification is important. Some students enroll in a Red Cross (ARC) BLS course and later find out they need an American Heart Association (AHA) certification.

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👩‍⚕️ **Healthcare Providers**

If you are a healthcare provider, you may need **AHA BLS Provider certification** instead of Red Cross.

“This typically applies to:

- Doctors / Physicians  
- Nurses (RN, LVN)  
- Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA)  
- Dentists / Dental Assistants / Hygienists  
- EMTs / Paramedics / First Responders  
- Firefighters / Law Enforcement  
- Medical Assistants / Technicians  
- Physical Therapists / Occupational Therapists  
- Pharmacists / Pharmacy Technicians  
- Radiology / X-Ray Technicians  
- Respiratory Therapists  
- School Nurses / Healthcare Staff  
- And other healthcare-related professions  

👉 If you are unsure, please confirm with your employer, school, or program before enrolling.

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🎓 **Students & Employees (Important)**

If you are:
- Working in a **hospital**  
- Enrolled in a **nursing, EMT, or medical program**  

👉 Ask your instructor or administrator:

**“Do you accept Red Cross BLS, or do I need AHA BLS?”**

If AHA is required, please enroll in our **AHA BLS course**. 

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❤️ **Good to Know**

- Both AHA and Red Cross certifications are valid for **2 years**  
- Many employers accept **either certification**  
- Some schools and hospitals require **AHA specifically**  

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➕ **Do You Also Need First Aid?**

Some programs require **both BLS and First Aid certification**.

This may apply to:
- EMT or Paramedic students  
- Firefighter trainees  
- School nurses or school staff  
- Healthcare students in community or school settings  

👉 Always confirm if **First Aid is required** in addition to BLS.

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🔄 **Switching Policy (If You Enrolled in the Wrong Course)**

If you realize you need AHA instead of Red Cross:

👉 Submit a request here:  
https://www.begincpr.net/changcancelrequest  

If you arrive at a Red Cross class, you have **15 minutes to decide**.

You may:
- Switch to **AHA BLS Provider Course**  
- Attend the next available AHA class  
  *(AHA classes are often scheduled after Red Cross BLS or CPR classes)*  
- Reschedule for another date  

⚠️ You cannot sit in the Red Cross class while waiting for an AHA class.

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📩 **Need Help Deciding?**

Email: **TrainingFaculty@BeginCPR.com**  
Please include your **best contact phone number**.

Our team can help guide you, but the best way to confirm is to check with your **employer or school before registering**.