Become an AHA-Certified CPR Instructor in Cleveland, Ohio
Turn Your CPR Skills Into a Teaching Career
Teach Life-Saving Skills & Earn Your AHA Instructor Certification
Our CPR Instructor Course gives you everything you need to become a certified American Heart Association (AHA) instructor. In just a few steps, you will be qualified to teach BLS (Basic Life Support) and Heartsaver CPR/AED courses to healthcare workers, first responders, teachers, coaches, and community members.
This course is offered in Cleveland, Akron, and Northeast Ohio through Med-Cert Training Center, an authorized AHA Training Center. Whether you want to add a credential to your resume, launch a side income, or bring CPR training in-house at your organization, this is where it starts.
Why Become a CPR Instructor?
- Earn extra income — AHA instructors typically charge $50-$100+ per student per class
- Flexible schedule — Teach on your own time at your own location or ours
- High demand — Healthcare workers, schools, and businesses need CPR-certified employees year-round
- Nationally recognized credential — The AHA instructor card is the gold standard in CPR education
- Make an impact — Every student you train is someone who can save a life
What You Get With This Course
AHA Online Course
Self-paced Instructor Essentials — complete before class day
In-Person Training
Full-day hands-on session with AHA faculty in Cleveland
Monitored Teach
We schedule and support your final evaluation
TC Alignment
Start teaching immediately under our Training Center
Course Prerequisites
Before enrolling in the AHA CPR Instructor Course, candidates must:
- Have a current AHA BLS Provider Certification (for BLS instructors)
- Have a current Heartsaver CPR/AED Certification (for Heartsaver instructors)
- Current provider cards must be AHA issued. Certification from other organizations are not acceptable to fulfill this requirement.
(Don’t have your provider certification yet? We offer AHA BLS provider courses and Heartsaver CPR/AED courses in Cleveland & Akron!)
Training Center Alignment
- All instructor candidates must align with and receive approval from an authorized AHA Training Center prior to taking the instructor course.
- Candidates are automatically approved to align with us upon signing up for the course or can align with the training center of their choice.
Three Steps to Getting Certified
1. Complete the AHA Online Instructor Essentials Course
Start with the AHA Online Instructor Essentials course — a self-paced module that covers AHA teaching methodology, classroom management, and skills testing standards. You must complete this before attending the in-person session. Students must also purchase the BLS Instructor Manual prior to attending class.
The online Instructor Essentials course and Instructor Manual can be purchased directly from AHA online:
Essentials Course:
BLS Instructor Manual:
2. Attend the In-Person Instructor Course
Join us for a hands-on, in-person training day at our Cleveland location. You will practice teaching BLS and Heartsaver skills under the guidance of experienced AHA faculty. This is where you build confidence running a real classroom — from setting up manikins to coaching students through skills stations.
3. Complete Your Monitored Teach
After the course, you will teach a real class while being observed by an AHA Training Center Faculty member. Once you pass, you receive your AHA Instructor card and are authorized to teach BLS and/or Heartsaver courses. We help you schedule this final step so there is no guesswork.
Why Train With Med-Cert?
- Authorized AHA Training Center — Your certification comes directly from the American Heart Association
- Small class sizes — More hands-on time and personal attention from our faculty
- Ongoing support — We help you schedule your monitored teach and get aligned with our Training Center so you can start teaching right away
- Flexible scheduling — Weekend and weekday options available
- Located in Cleveland — Serving students from Akron, Canton, Youngstown, and all of Northeast Ohio
What Our Instructor Graduates Say
“Med-Cert made the instructor process so easy to follow. I finished my monitored teach within two weeks of the course and have already taught three BLS classes on my own. Best investment I have made in my career.”
— Charli S., RN, Cleveland
“I was nervous about teaching but the in-person training day gave me so much confidence. The instructor walked us through every scenario. Now I teach Heartsaver classes at my church and local businesses on the weekends.”
— Sherri T., Community Instructor, Akron
“I needed my instructor card for my fire department. Med-Cert was the only training center that helped me get aligned right away so I could start teaching our recruits immediately. Highly recommend.”
— Marcus D., Firefighter/Paramedic, Canton
Who Is This Course For?
This course is ideal for anyone who wants to teach CPR professionally or within their organization:
- Nurses, paramedics, and healthcare professionals looking to add an instructor credential
- Firefighters and first responders who want to train their departments
- School nurses, athletic trainers, and educators responsible for campus safety
- Business owners and HR managers who want to offer in-house CPR training
- Entrepreneurs looking to start a CPR training business
Already hold a current AHA BLS or Heartsaver provider card? You meet the main prerequisite. Not current? We offer provider courses too — ask us about bundling.
Course Investment
$515 (tuition + processing fee)
Your investment includes:
- Full-day in-person instructor training
- Monitored teach scheduling and support
- Training Center alignment so you can start teaching immediately
Payment plans available via Afterpay. We also accept credit card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Cash App, and ACH bank transfer.
Ready to get started? Fill out the registration form below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a certified CPR instructor?
Most candidates complete the process in 3-6 weeks. The online portion takes about 4-6 hours, the in-person course is one full day, and the monitored teach is scheduled shortly after.
Do I need to be a healthcare professional to become an instructor?
No. Anyone with a current AHA BLS or Heartsaver provider card can become an instructor. Nurses, firefighters, teachers, business owners, and community members all qualify.
What can I teach once I am certified?
You will be authorized to teach AHA BLS (Basic Life Support) and Heartsaver CPR/AED/First Aid courses, depending on your alignment.
How much can I earn as a CPR instructor?
Rates vary, but most independent instructors charge $50-$100+ per student. A single class of 6-10 students can generate $300-$1,000+ in a few hours.
Do I need my own equipment to teach?
You will need manikins and AED trainers to teach independently. If you align with Med-Cert, you can use our equipment and facility while you build your own inventory.
Is there a renewal requirement?
Yes. AHA instructor cards are valid for 2 years. Renewal requires teaching a minimum number of courses and completing an update.
Ready to Start Teaching CPR?
Classes fill up fast. Complete the registration form below to lock in your spot and take the first step toward your AHA instructor certification.