National CPR Foundation (NCF) describes itself as an independent online training provider. It states that it does not issue AHA® or other third-party provider cards and is not affiliated with, authorized by, sponsored by, or endorsed by those organizations. NCF also says it does not guarantee that its certificates will be accepted in every situation and notes that a hands-on component may be required in some workplaces and settings.
If you need CPR certification for employment, school, or licensing, confirm the exact credential and skills-assessment requirements with the organization requesting it before enrolling.
Key Points
- NCF is independent and says it isn’t affiliated with the AHA.
- Acceptance depends on your employer or school, so ask them first.
- The AHA blended option (online + In-Person Skills Check) is the fast route that’s widely accepted.
What the National CPR Foundation Is (and Isn’t)
NCF states that it is an independent online training provider and is not affiliated with, authorized by, sponsored by, or endorsed by the AHA or other third-party providers.
Completing an AHA course is different than following AHA guidelines. An entity may include AHA guidelines in its training materials without having permission to provide an official AHA course card. An AHA BLS eCard is distinct from a certificate issued by an independent online training provider. If you need an AHA credential, verify that the course is part of the authorized AHA training system and meets your organization’s requirements.
If your employer or school specifically asks for an AHA BLS card and an in-person skills assessment, then the online-only NCF certificate likely won’t satisfy that. Check ahead of time to see what certification you need before you register.
National CPR Foundation vs. an AHA course: Side-by-Side
| Comparisons | National CPR Foundation | AHA BLS at Same Day CPR |
|---|---|---|
| Who issues the card | NCF (its own certificate) | American Heart Association (AHA) eCard |
| Hands-on skills check | None | Yes, in-person skills check on a manikin |
| Format | 100% online | AHA HeartCode BLS online + 1-hour in-person skills check slot (hands-on portion takes about 20 minutes) |
| Card validity | 2 years (per NCF) | 2 years, through the end of the month shown on the eCard |
| How employers verify | NCF’s own verification lookup | AHA eCard verification at heart.org/cpr/mycards |
| Price | $14.95, as displayed on the NCF website on October 26, 2026. Recheck the current price. | BLS: $120 for the online course + in-person skills check, or $90 for the in-person skills check only (upload your AHA HeartCode BLS completion certificate) |
| Best for | Personal knowledge and jobs that confirm they accept it | Healthcare workers, nursing and medical students, and jobs that require AHA certification |
Does National CPR Foundation Include Hands-On Training?
No. NCF describes itself as an independent online training provider. Its online certificate should not be assumed to satisfy a requirement for an in-person skills assessment. NCF itself states that its certificates are not guaranteed to be accepted in every situation and that a hands-on component may be required in some workplaces and settings.
If you independently verify that the specific NCF course is entirely online and has no practical assessment, you can state that explicitly for that course.
This is important if CPR certification is required for a healthcare position, nursing school, or an organization that needs you to demonstrate hands-on skills. The NCF does admit in its own disclosure that some workplaces and settings have a hands-on element.
For AHA BLS certification with skills validation, you can do the AHA Heart Code BLS online portion at Same Day CPR and then schedule an In-Person Skills Check with an instructor. The hands-on skills check is approximately 20 minutes. You will get your AHA eCard the same day you complete the skills validation.
Will my employer or school accept a National CPR Foundation certificate?
Acceptance depends on your employer’s, school’s, or licensing program’s requirements. Some organizations require an AHA BLS eCard and an in-person skills assessment, while others may accept different credentials.
OSHA’s requirements for workplace first-aid and CPR training depend on the applicable standard and circumstances. Do not assume that an online-only certificate satisfies a particular workplace requirement. Confirm the applicable requirements with your employer and consult the relevant OSHA standard.
Check with your employer or school before enrolling in a course:
- Do you require AHA? Confirm whether you must have an American Heart Association certification card.
- Do you require a hands-on skills check? Ask whether you must demonstrate CPR skills in person with an instructor.
- Will you accept a certificate from an online-only provider? Confirm whether a National CPR Foundation certificate meets your specific requirements.
If your organization needs an in-person skills check for AHA BLS, select a course that provides that; do not assume online certification will suffice.
Already bought an NCF certificate and it was rejected?
If your employer or school does not accept your NCF certificate, ask which credential and skills assessment it requires. If an AHA BLS course with an in-person skills assessment is required, choose a course that meets those requirements. Before paying for another course, confirm the requirements with the organization that rejected the certificate.
Should your employer or school need an in-person skills check to verify your AHA BLS card, then your next step is to get an AHA BLS course that fulfills that need.
Obtain Your AHA BLS Certification
Same Day CPR has two choices:
Option 1: AHA BLS Online Course + Skills Check (in-person) – $120
Take the AHA Heart Code BLS course online and then complete your in-Person Skills Check with an instructor. Once requirements are completed, you will receive your official AHA eCard by email on the same day.
Book the BLS Online Course + In-Person Skills Check
Option 2: In-Person Skills Check Only – $90
This option is only available if you’ve previously done AHA Heart Code BLS online and you have your completion certificate.
NCF certificate is not an option for this. You will need to select the $120 combined course if you have an NCF.
Schedule the in-Person Skills Check
Check whether your employer and/or school want you to have an AHA BLS certification before making a reservation.
The Fastest Legitimate Option: AHA Online + In-Person Skills Check
If you need an AHA BLS credential with an in-person skills assessment, one option is to complete the AHA HeartCode BLS online coursework and then attend an in-person skills check with Same Day CPR. Confirm that this format meets your employer’s or school’s requirements before booking.
How It Works
Complete the AHA Heart Code BLS coursework. Complete your AHA Heart Code BLS coursework in its entirety before your appointment.
Schedule a Same Day CPR Skills Check. Find an In-Person Skills Check near you and select an appointment time. The one-hour booking window includes approximately a 20-minute hands-on skills check.
After you meet all course requirements, you will be issued your official AHA eCard the same day.
Course Choices and Pricing
Option 1: AHA BLS Online Course + In-person skills check – $120
Includes the AHA Heart Code BLS online course and the skills check in person. Select this option if you have not already completed the online course.
Reserve a Spot in the BLS Online Course + In-Office Skills Check
Option 2: Only In-Person Skills Check – $90
Only after completing the AHA Heart Code BLS online course and providing the online course completion card. NCF is not an acceptable prerequisite.
Schedule the BLS In-Person Skills Check
Before booking, make sure that AHA BLS complies with your requirement of an Employer or School.
Why Choose Same Day CPR?
Choose a convenient CPR training option with clearly listed course prices and scheduling information.
- First-responder instructors: Get your skills check done with expert first-responder instructors.
- Auto expiration alerts: Alerts to let you know when your certification will expire.
- Same-day eCard: Your official AHA eCard will be available the same day that you meet the standards.
115+ Skills Verification Locations Nationwide | On-Site Training Available in All 50 States.
Find a Location Near You
Choose a convenient location for your In-Person Skills Check. View All Locations. If your employer or school requires AHA BLS certification with an in-person skills check, confirm its requirements before booking to ensure you select the appropriate course.
How to Check Any CPR Provider Before You Pay
Before taking a CPR course, check with your group. An organization’s offering of guidelines from the AHA doesn’t always indicate it’s providing an official AHA course.
Use this four-step checklist before enrolling.
1. Is It an AHA Training Center, or Does It Only Say “AHA Guidelines”?
Check whether the provider is an authorized AHA Training Center or simply states that its course follows AHA guidelines. Using AHA guidelines in educational materials is not the same as completing an official AHA course and receiving an AHA eCard.
2. Is There a Hands-On Skills Check?
Find out whether the course includes an in-person skills check with an instructor. If your employer or school requires practical skills verification, an online-only course may not meet its requirements.
3. Can the Card Be Verified at the Official AHA Website?
If the provider claims to offer an AHA certification, check whether the eCard can be verified through the official AHA eCard verification page.
This helps you verify the card rather than relying only on the provider’s description.
4. Has Your Employer Confirmed It Accepts the Card?
Before paying, ask your employer, school, or licensing program which certification it requires. Confirm whether it specifically requires an AHA card and an in-person skills check.
The most important step is to confirm acceptance before enrolling. Choosing a course that meets your organization’s requirements can help you avoid paying for a certification you cannot use.
FAQs
Is National CPR Foundation legit?
Yes, it’s a real, independent online training company. But it is not the American Heart Association; its certificates are not AHA cards, and its courses have no in-person skills check. Whether its certificate works for you depends on your employer or school.
Is National CPR Foundation accredited by the American Heart Association?
NCF states that it is not affiliated with, authorized by, sponsored by, or endorsed by the American Heart Association and does not issue AHA cards. If you need an AHA credential, confirm that the course you choose is part of the authorized AHA training system.
Does National CPR Foundation issue AHA cards?
No. NCF states that it does not issue AHA cards and is not affiliated with, authorized by, sponsored by, or endorsed by the AHA.
Will a hospital or nursing school accept National CPR Foundation?
Many hospitals, nursing schools, and healthcare employers require an AHA card that includes a hands-on skills check, so an NCF certificate may not be accepted. Ask your employer or program before you pay.
Is National CPR Foundation accepted in Australia or other countries?
Acceptance varies by country and employer. Check with the employer or organization that needs your certificate.
Is Same Day CPR legit?
Yes. Same Day CPR and Bayside CPR are an Official National American Heart Association Training Center. When you pass, you get an official AHA eCard, valid for two years. Every AHA BLS course includes an In-Person Skills Check with an instructor, at 115+ Skills Verification Locations Nationwide, with On-Site Training Available in All 50 States.
What's the fastest way to get an AHA BLS card?
Complete the AHA HeartCode BLS course online, then book an In-Person Skills Check at a Same Day CPR location. The hands-on part takes about 20 minutes, and you get your AHA eCard the same day. It costs $120 for the online course + In-Person Skills Check, or $90 for the skills check only if you already have your AHA HeartCode BLS completion certificate.
