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is the red cross the only place to get CPR & first aid certified?

I was looking online for a fast way to get certified for a new job. All the classes are weeks away. I found some websites offering the training but I'm not sure if they are legit and will be excepted in Wa. They say they are issuing these certifications in partnership with the national health and safety foundation. Does anyone have the 411 on this?

Public Comments

1. I was certified through a local hospital's education program. Some schools have classes too. Make some phone calls to local hospitals to see if they have education programs or try looking up local schools that have medical programs.

2. Not sure about the online classes you searched. I would always be a little wary of anything offered online you really have to do your due diligence to make sure it is legit. I would check with your local fire department, hospital or even your local Jr. college would probably offer classes.

Have you checked out the American Heart Association? There website has a search engine that you can use to check by state/zip and date range for all available classes in your area that they offer. I hope this helps. The best of luck to you.

3. None of the online classes are legit, as you need actual hands-on training as well. Call your local hospital, fire department, and ambulance service. One of all of them will know who's teaching classes when. It's actually better to go with an American Heart Association certificate if you can, since they're good for 2 years (RC is only good for 1).

4. I run a first aid company in Vancouver BC and the rules for taking a first aid class are fairly similar. The four main brands for getting a first aid certificate is the Red Cross, Lifesaving Society, St.Johns Ambulance and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Most people that provide first aid courses affiliate with these and they follow standards set by ILCHOR (they set the CPR standards that everyone follows). People that affiliate with these companies are the safest route to follow.

However, as long as you take a 16 hour course from a recognized provider that should count for having your Standard First Aid. Emergency First Aid should be a 8 hour course. If they fit the time criteria and follow the recommendations set by ILCHOR you should be fine.

Play it safe and stick to the big 4 providers.

You can read more at

5. Just about every county has its own chapter of the Red Cross. If your local chapter doesn't have the class when you want it, you might check the next county over - particularly if it's a larger county. They may have a better selection of times, etc.