top of page

Steps to obtain an AHA Instructor Card 1. BEFORE REGISTRATION: You must align with an AHA Training Center (TC) to teach AHA courses. If you will align with the PCC CLIMB Center, fill out the first two sections of the Instructor Candidate Application (ICA) and send it to medproeducators@gmail.com. If you will align with a different TC, meet with them, and complete sections 1, 2 and 4 of the ICA (they can also complete section 3 if applicable; if not, our Training Faculty will). The form is a fillable PDF and can be signed electronically. Please send us a copy of the completed ICA. You must contact a training center and have this document completed between you and them, then email the fully completed ICA to our office (medproeducators@gmail.com). This form is used to show that you are aligned with an AHA training center in the area where you wish to teach, and the primary center will maintain your instructor file; if you register for the instructor course without a signed ICA, you risk not being able to complete the instructor program. You should complete an ICA for each discipline you wish to teach under your primary training center AND email it to our office BEFORE the instructor course (can do so before registering if desired). 2. BEFORE YOUR COURSE: You must hold a current AHA PROVIDER card in the discipline you wish to teach: This is the card you were issued when you took your ACLS, BLS, or PALS course; upon registering for the course; please email us a copy of this card (front and back) (medproeducators@gmail.com). We must have this on file before your instructor course. You will also want to review the provider manual from your provider course. When you arrive at the instructor course, you will be given the provider's written exam and skills/mega-code testing. You should focus on the provider's manual content between registering for the instructor course and attending. In many cases, taking a renewal course (not required but a good option for many people) before your instructor's course is not a bad idea. 3. ATTEND THE INSTRUCTOR COURSE: Attend the Instructor Course for either ACLS, BLS, or PALS: Upon arrival at the instructor course, you will be tested on your BLS provider skills (and mega code for ACLS or PALS instructor candidates) and written exam(s). You must pass the test (in your discipline) to continue in the instructor program. It's a good idea to review the provider course and maybe take a renewal course before you attend the instructor course. 4. PRIOR TO ATTENDING THE INSTRUCTOR COURSE: Complete the AHA Instructor Essentials Online Course: It is available at the AHA Book Store https://shopcpr.heart.org/acls-instructor-essentials-online. Send the completion certificate to us prior to the instructor class. 5. DURING THE INSTRUCTOR COURSE: Take the Instructor Course Exam and pass with 84%. A passing score is 84%. Some fail the instructor exam if they do not study and complete the instructor essentials course and study the instructor and provider manuals. 6. AFTER THE INSTRUCTOR COURSE: Be successfully monitored within six months of your instructor course date. Please note: Your primary center will do your monitoring. The monitoring is an in-person full 1 ½ day ACLS Provider course you must teach through your primary center. Your TC should send us your completed monitoring form if you are not aligned with PCC CLIMB. You can arrange your monitoring before, during or after the instructor class. TIP: When meeting with your primary training center, obtain a list of their upcoming courses within six months of the instructor course. Remember: you must be monitored within six months of the instructor course, and you'll want to ensure that your center has Provider courses to monitor you. All monitorings are in-person and are not available virtually. The instructor card is issued as an eCard and will be available in your AHA account. After the above steps have been completed, for the discipline you wish to teach and you have your AHA instructor card. You will be allowed to teach the AHA programs for which you hold an instructor card; however, every Training Center has its own rules/policies; therefore, please consider the following: If we ARE NOT your primary Training Center You must contact your Primary Training Center to undergo any orientation/onboarding regarding their internal rules, policies, fees, procedures, allowed courses, etc. If PCC CLIMB is your Primary TC: You can only hold courses in Oregon/SW Washington As an AHA instructor, you may also teach for another US AHA Training Center; provide them with your instructor card, and most TCs will permit you to teach at their center.

CONTENT/TOPICS We will show you how to teach AHA programs during your instructor course. We will use various teaching modalities (i.e., discussion, role-play, lectures, interactive learning, testing, remediation, etc.). Below you will find a general agenda for the instructor course. This agenda may/will change, slightly, based on the size of your group. General Agenda: (tentative) - Registration/Sign-In/Welcome/Introductions - Provider Written Exam (i.e., ACLS, BLS, or PALS) -- must score 84% or greater (prepare by reading the provider textbook/online AHA program from your course)* - BLS Provider Skills Exam, and mega-code for ACLS or PALS (must pass) - Instructor Manual Overview - Your faculty member will provide you with the topics to present in the Provider course agenda. Presentations to group by instructor candidates or for Role-Play, using the instructional videos, Instructor Manual, manikins/equipment, skill sheets, etc. Watch while practicing: Instructor candidates role-play to teach other instructor candidates in the group, using the video and/or lesson maps as a guide. - Training Center Specifics / Paperwork Verification - Instructor written exam (knowledge of instructor manual, Program Administration Manual (PAM), administrative rules) - Schedule Monitoring Evaluation if not done already *Please note: The instructor course provides the information on how to instruct an AHA course (ACLS, BLS, or PALS). The instructor course is NOT a review of the content from the provider course. Therefore, it is expected that you review your course provider textbook, Instructor Manual and the teaching videos BEFORE attending the Instructor Program. Some report they felt more comfortable taking a renewal course close to the instructor course. Upon arrival at the Instructor Course, you will be tested on your BLS provider skills (and mega-code for ACLS & PALS) and the provider's written exam. You must demonstrate superior skills and pass the exam (84% or greater) to continue the course. Please ensure you are prepared for this mandatory testing session.

AUDIENCE The instructor course is intended for anyone with a current (unexpired) AHA provider card in the discipline they wish to teach. Those who attend the instructor course are typically: RNs, APNs, PAs, LPNs, MDs, DOs, EMTs, Paramedics, Techs, and more. The general public can take the BLS Instructor Course; however, ACLS and PALS instructor courses are reserved for healthcare professionals.

COURSE COMPLETION CRITERIA SUMMARY To complete this course, you must complete all of these steps: - Register and pay for each instructor course you wish to take. - Obtain an Instructor Candidate Application with your Primary AHA Training Center and email it to us - Complete all required paperwork. - Complete the online ACLS, BLS, or PALS Instructor Essentials Course - Bring the required items to the course. - Successfully demonstrate skills for BLS, and pass the mega code for ACLS or PALS - Pass the written exam for the PROVIDER course with 84% or greater - Complete the INSTRUCTOR Course Exam with an 84% or greater - Complete the monitoring requirements for your course* * Occasionally, some instructor candidates need more monitoring sessions than mentioned above.

TUITION/TEXTBOOKS & INSTRUCTOR MATERIALS Course tuition does not include provider and instructor manuals, teaching videos, monitoring fee or TC alignment fee. Textbooks/Instructor Manual(s): The AHA requires that you order an instructor manual for your instructor course. Please ensure to select the appropriate instructor manual for your course (e.g., if you are registering for the ACLS instructor course, please select the ACLS instructor manual). Once you place your order, the order cannot be changed or refunded. Therefore please verify you have selected the correct manual. Although the instructor manual may seem the main focus of your course, you should review the updated provider manual before your instructor program, as you will be tested on practical skills and a written exam. Therefore, knowing the provider manual from cover to cover is a priority.

Required AHA Disclaimer: The American Heart Association strongly promotes knowledge and proficiency in BLS, ACLS, and PALS and has developed instructional material for this purpose. Use of these materials in an education course does not represent course sponsorship by the American Heart Association. Any fees charged for such a course, except for a portion of fees needed for AHA course material, do not represent income to the association.

bottom of page