American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider Update - 2026

MGH - Austen 3-325 Classroom (in-person testing)

Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, MA 02114

Basic Life Support (BLS) RENEWAL Course

Course Description 

The AHA BLS course provides the foundation for saving lives from cardiac arrest. It teaches both single-rescuer and team basic life support skills for application in both pre-hospital and in-facility environments with a focus on high quality CPR and team dynamics. In the instructor-led course, students participate in simulated scenarios and work with an AHA BLS instructor to complete BLS skills practice and skills testing. 

Goal of the Course:

Participants will be able to identify the signs of a cardiopulmonary arrest, initiate high quality CPR, and activate the Emergency Response System.

Course Content:

  • One-rescuer adult, child and infant CPR
  • Two-rescuer adult, child and infant CPR
  • Use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
  • Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (conscious and unconscious)
  • Team Dynamics
  • Opioid Associated Life-Threatening Emergency Overdose and Nasal Narcan Administration
  • Breaths with an Advanced Airway
  • Rescue Breathing
  • Mouth to Mouth Breaths

Targeted Audience:

Healthcare providers and trained first responders who provide care to patients in a wide variety of settings 

Prerequisites:

  • Proof of completion of an AHA BLS Provider or Renewal course within the past 2 years
  • Review of the AHA BLS Provider Manual prior to class. Portions of the manual are posted on the registration confirmation page 

Card Expiration: As a reminder you have a 30-day grace period after your card expires to attend a renewal course.  After this grace period you will need to attend a provider course.

Course Time: 

  • Approximately 2.5 hours

Requirements for Course Completion:

  • Participate in hands-on interactive demonstrations of high-quality CPR
  • Pass the adult, child and infant CPR skills test
  • Pass the AED skills test
  • Score at least 84% on the written exam
  • All participants will receive an American Heart Association eCard upon course completion.