CPR certification expiration tracking for employers

Most CPR, AED and first aid courses from the big providers, including the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross, issue cards that are valid for two years. If your staff need to stay certified, someone has to know when each card runs out.

Who usually needs it

CPR and first aid requirements come from a mix of places: OSHA rules for workplaces far from medical care, state licensing for child care, fitness and health care, insurance carriers, and your own safety policy. Check which applies to you. The tracking problem is the same either way.

Why CPR cards are easy to lose track of

• Staff take classes at different times, so the dates are spread across the year.
• The expiration date is on a card or an eCard in the employee's email, not in your files.
• Two years is long enough for nobody to remember.

What to record for each person

• Course name (for example BLS, Heartsaver CPR AED, Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED)
• Provider
• Issue date and expiration date, copied from the card
• A copy of the card or eCard

Use the date printed on the card rather than calculating it. Some cards expire at the end of the month and some on the exact day.

Plan renewals in batches

If several people expire in the same quarter, one on-site class is often cheaper and easier than sending people one at a time. A 60-day heads-up gives you time to book an instructor. That is why CertExpiryTracker sends its first reminder at 60 days.