Fraud Alert - Beware of Fraudulent CPR Courses in San Francisco
How Do I Know If A Class Is Fraudulent?
Fraudulent American Heart Association (AHA) training courses have become a widespread issue across California and the United States in recent years. Wondering how to identify if a class might not be legitimate? Here’s a simple guide to help you.
If you’ve attended a fraudulent course or suspect one you’re considering might not be legitimate, it’s your responsibility to report it to the American Heart Association.
Summation of CPR Scams
- Fraudulent providers may use methods that violate standard CPR guidelines or best practices.
- A lack of a website or a suspicious-looking one is a major red flag.
- No physical address or phone number? That’s another red flag.
- If their site doesn’t display the AHA logo, they are likely unaffiliated with this reputable organization.
- Issuing certification cards without requiring hands-on practice on manikins.
- Failing to provide proper instructional materials, like course books, during instructor-led classes.
Stacking - Teaching Classes Same Time
Teaching multiple classes like BLS, ACLS, and PALS at the same time is not feasible. Why? Each course has unique materials, including different video content, that require focused time and attention.
Unfortunately, some organizations list all these courses as starting simultaneously, which is misleading and violates training principles.
What to do:
If you come across this issue, report it to the American Heart Association by emailing them directly at [email protected].
Online Only CPR Companies
The American Heart Association (AHA) does not certify or approve CPR training courses created by other organizations. If you encounter claims that a training product is “AHA Certified,” “AHA Approved,” “AHA Compliant,” or “created by AHA certified professionals,” they are false. These are often tied to fraudulent websites offering fake certifications.
To ensure your certification is legitimate, only obtain cards issued through an authorized AHA training center.
All online CPR courses must be completed directly through the American Heart Association. Additionally, skills testing must be done in person with either a certified instructor or a VAM (voice-assisted manikin).
Cash or Venmo Accepted Only
Watch out for CPR training companies that only accept Venmo, cash, or PayPal. This can be a red flag—some of these businesses may use these methods to avoid paying taxes or to shut down operations quickly, leaving you with no way to recover your payment.
Paying in cash, in particular, leaves you vulnerable. If you get scammed, you have no way to dispute the transaction. Instead, always pay for your CPR certification course with a credit card. Why? A credit card offers protection—you can dispute charges if you don’t receive your certification card.
Zoom Courses
Which Zoom Courses Are Acceptable?
You can take the official BLS Online HeartCode or Heartsaver Online CPR and First Aid courses, then complete the required skills testing with an American Heart Association instructor over Zoom. The testing must take place in an office setting with the proper CPR manikins.
Which Zoom Courses Are Not Allowed?
Skills testing facilitated over Zoom without the required CPR manikins or AED on hand is not acceptable.
ACLS or PALS skills testing over Zoom is strictly prohibited.
What to do:
For any clarifications or concerns, contact the American Heart Association at [email protected].
Written Test Only
Many CPR companies use online tests from eLearning.heart.org. If you take this written test and then receive an American Heart Association certification card by email from the company, it’s a scam. That certification is not valid.
To meet the American Heart Association’s requirements, you must practice CPR on manikins as part of the course.
What to do:
If this happens to you, report it by emailing the American Heart Association at [email protected].
Book Policy
If you’re taking an instructor-led course, the American Heart Association (AHA) requires you to have the course book or ebook “before, during, and after the class.”
If you’re loaned, rented, or not asked to buy a book, the course is likely fraudulent.
What to do:
Report the issue to the American Heart Association by emailing [email protected].
Instructor To Student Ratio
The instructor-to-student ratio plays a crucial role in ensuring effective monitoring and guidance during training sessions. Here’s what you need to know:
BLS (Basic Life Support): 1 instructor for every 9 students
ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support): 1 instructor for every 6 students
PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support): 1 instructor for every 6 students
What to do:
If your course exceeds these ratios, it’s important to report it to the American Heart Association (AHA). Simply send an email to [email protected] to address the issue.
Classes Inside A Person's Home
- Fire and Safety Hazards
- Insurance Issues
- Unprofessional Environment
- Personal Safety Risks
Course Length For Instructor Led Training
Some CPR companies in California offer shorter courses to cut costs, but this compromises the quality of training. Whether in a one-on-one session or a small group class, proper course duration is essential to meet certification standards. Be cautious—many providers only list the start time of their courses, not the end time. If your course length doesn’t meet the following guidelines, it might not be legitimate:
BLS (Basic Life Support): 3–4 hours
ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support): 4–6 hours
PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support): 4–6 hours
What to do:
If you suspect the training you received doesn’t follow these guidelines, report it. Email the American Heart Association at [email protected] to address your concerns.
Revoking Your Certification Card
Taking a non-compliant course can have serious consequences, including the possibility of your certification card being revoked. Since it’s an eCard, your employer or school may be notified about the issue, leading to reputational harm as they become aware that the course you attended was not compliant.
If your facility or school offers publicly available courses, the repercussions could extend further. Certification cards issued by the instructor over the previous three months may also be revoked. Think about the impact this could have—refunds for previous participants, explaining compliance failures, and rebuilding trust with your learners.
Additionally, if CE (Continuing Education) credits were involved—such as credits issued by a dental board—it could introduce even greater challenges related to compliance. These issues could harm your facility’s reputation and create long-term hurdles for your professional credibility.
Nurses And Professional Conduct
Nurses, dentists, and other medical professionals in California must adhere to a strict code of ethics. Completing a CPR course that doesn’t meet proper guidelines could lead to serious consequences, such as retaking the course or facing disciplinary measures. Additionally, many schools and medical facilities reject certification cards from untrustworthy or fraudulent CPR training programs.
If you’re an administrator, it’s crucial to ensure your staff attends a reputable American Heart Association Training Center. This not only protects your team but also safeguards your organization’s reputation.
Fraudulent CPR Training In The News
Resuscitation Quality Improvement by the American Heart Association
If you’re looking for an authentic American Heart Association (AHA) course, here’s what you need to know. To ensure you’re enrolled in a valid program, attend the AHA BLS CPR, ACLS, or PALS HeartCode course. This includes completing the official AHA HeartCode online training, followed by a skills test using a voice-assisted manikin (VAM) or with a virtual instructor. After completing the course, participants receive an AHA certification card—valid for two years.
At Safety Training Seminars, we proudly offer these certified courses in over 65 cities across Northern California. Our AHA license number is 20784, and we’ve been serving communities since 1989. Trusted by leading medical institutions and healthcare organizations throughout California, we train over 60,000 students annually. Many of these students return year after year, confident in the quality of instruction and support we provide.