AHA vs. Red Cross vs. HSI: Which CPR Certification Should You Choose?

Three organizations dominate the CPR certification landscape in the United States: the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Red Cross, and the Health and Safety Institute (HSI, which includes ASHI). All three offer legitimate, OSHA-compliant CPR training with hands-on components. The right choice depends on your profession, your employer's requirements, and what you plan to do with the certification.

CPR-Professionals is an AHA National Training Center. View our AHA-certified classes.

American Heart Association (AHA)

Founded: 1924
Best for: Healthcare professionals, anyone working in clinical settings
BLS validity: 2 years
Passing score: 84% on written exam
Cost range: $50 to $200 depending on course and provider

The AHA is the organization that actually publishes the CPR guidelines that everyone else follows. Their evidence-based recommendations form the foundation for all CPR training worldwide. This makes AHA certification the gold standard, particularly in healthcare.

Virtually every hospital, medical school, nursing program, dental office, and EMS agency in the country requires or prefers AHA certification. If you work in healthcare, AHA is the safest and most universally accepted choice.

Unique AHA offerings include HeartCode blended learning, RQI (Resuscitation Quality Improvement) for ongoing skill maintenance, and Self-Guided Learning at CPR Verification Stations.

American Red Cross

Founded: 1881
Best for: Schools, childcare, community programs, lifeguards
BLS validity: 2 years
Passing score: 80% on written exam
Cost range: $70 to $150

The Red Cross has the broadest humanitarian mission and the most recognizable brand in emergency preparedness. Their CPR courses are widely accepted across non-healthcare settings, and they offer specialized programs like Lifeguard Training, Babysitter's Training, and disaster preparedness that the AHA does not.

Red Cross BLS is accepted by some hospitals and healthcare employers, but it is not as universally required as AHA BLS in clinical settings. If you work in education, childcare, or community safety, Red Cross is an excellent choice.

Health and Safety Institute (HSI/ASHI)

Founded: HSI is the umbrella brand
Best for: Corporate and workplace OSHA compliance, group training
BLS validity: 2 years
Passing score: Approximately 84%
Cost range: Generally lower than AHA and Red Cross

HSI certifications are accepted by OSHA and over 5,000 regulatory agencies. They tend to be the most cost-effective option for large-scale corporate training programs, making them popular with safety directors managing compliance for dozens or hundreds of employees.

HSI is rarely accepted by hospitals or healthcare licensing boards. If you are a dental hygienist, nurse, or paramedic, HSI certification is unlikely to meet your employer's requirements.

Head-to-Head Comparison

How to Decide

If your employer specifies a certification by name: Take what they require. Do not guess.

If you work in healthcare: AHA is the only choice that guarantees universal acceptance.

If you work in education or childcare: AHA or Red Cross are both excellent. Check with your employer.

If you need OSHA workplace compliance for a large team: HSI may offer the best value for group training. AHA and Red Cross also satisfy OSHA.

If you are unsure: AHA is the safest bet. No employer or licensing board in the United States rejects AHA certification.

CPR-Professionals is an AHA National Training Center. We chose to align exclusively with the AHA because it gives our students the most universally accepted, evidence-based certification available.

Get the Gold Standard - AHA Certification at CPR-Professionals