Yes, a regular person can get BLS certification in Washington. You do not have to be a nurse, doctor, EMT, paramedic, or other licensed healthcare professional to enroll in a BLS course. The American Heart Association (AHA) describes its BLS course as being designed for healthcare professionals, trained first responders, and people enrolled in healthcare training programs, but the course itself is not a Washington professional license.
BLS, or Basic Life Support, teaches more comprehensive resuscitation skills than a basic community CPR class. Training can include high-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants, AED use, rescue breaths and ventilations, choking relief, and working effectively as part of a resuscitation team.
This guide explains who can get BLS certified in Washington, whether you need healthcare experience, what you learn in a BLS class, whether BLS is right for a non-medical person, and how Washington residents can choose the right CPR or BLS certification.
What is Basic Life Support (BLS)?
Basic Life Support (BLS) is a type of emergency medical training that teaches people how to respond quickly to life-threatening situations such as cardiac arrest, respiratory emergencies, and choking. BLS focuses on maintaining circulation and breathing until advanced medical care becomes available.
A BLS course typically teaches participants how to:
- Perform high-quality CPR on adults, children, and infants
- Recognize cardiac arrest and other life-threatening emergencies
- Use an automated external defibrillator (AED)
- Provide rescue breaths and appropriate ventilation
- Respond to choking and airway obstruction
- Work effectively with other rescuers during an emergency
- Follow the Chain of Survival during cardiac emergencies
BLS is different from simply knowing basic CPR. It provides a broader approach to resuscitation and is commonly used in healthcare and professional-responder environments.
Who Is BLS Certification Designed For?
BLS certification is primarily designed for healthcare professionals, healthcare students, trained first responders, and other individuals whose roles require professional-level resuscitation skills.
People who commonly obtain BLS certification include:
Healthcare Professionals
Nurses, physicians, medical assistants, dentists, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare workers may need current BLS certification as part of their employment requirements.
Healthcare Students
Students studying nursing, medicine, dentistry, EMT training, paramedicine, respiratory therapy, and other healthcare disciplines may need BLS certification before clinical training or employment.
EMTs and Paramedics
Emergency medical personnel may need BLS certification because they can be among the first professionals responding to cardiac arrest and other life-threatening emergencies.
Dental Professionals
Dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and other dental-office personnel may obtain BLS certification because medical emergencies can occur in dental settings.
Professional Rescuers
Some professional rescuers and workplace responders may benefit from BLS training when their responsibilities include responding to emergencies.
Other Individuals
A person who is not a healthcare professional can also choose BLS training if they want more comprehensive resuscitation training or their employer specifically requires a BLS certification.
Do You Need to Have Any Prerequisites to Join BLS Certification Classes?
In most cases, you do not need previous healthcare experience or a medical degree to enroll in a BLS certification class. BLS courses are designed to teach the required skills from the beginning, so participants can learn CPR, AED use, rescue breathing, and other basic life-support techniques during the training. The American Heart Association describes its BLS course as being intended for healthcare professionals, trained first responders, and people enrolled in healthcare training programs, so you should still confirm that the specific course matches your intended use.
For BLS certification in Washington, the more important consideration is whether the course meets the requirements of your employer, school, or profession. Some Washington regulations require specific healthcare-provider BLS training with both classroom and online instruction and an in-person skills assessment. If you are a beginner, you can generally start with the BLS course itself; however, check the provider’s enrollment requirements and make sure you choose a certification that will be accepted for your particular purpose.
Does Washington State require BLS Certification?
Washington State does not require every person to have BLS certification. Whether you need it depends on your profession, workplace, school, or specific responsibilities. For example, Washington requires dentists and certain dental staff who provide direct patient care to maintain a current healthcare-provider BLS certification. The state also has separate CPR or first-aid requirements for some childcare and care-related roles.
For other healthcare professionals, BLS may be required by an employer, healthcare facility, educational program, or accreditation organization rather than by a statewide licensing rule. The Washington State Board of Nursing, for example, states that nursing laws do not generally require RNs or LPNs to maintain BLS certification, although employers or facilities may require CPR or BLS based on their own policies and applicable facility regulations. Therefore, if you are considering BLS certification in Washington, check the requirements of your employer, school, or profession before choosing a course.
BLS vs. CPR Certification
BLS and CPR certification are closely related, but they are not the same type of training. CPR courses are generally designed to teach the general public how to respond to cardiac arrest, while BLS certification provides more comprehensive, healthcare-focused resuscitation training for people who may be expected to respond to emergencies as part of their professional role.
The right certification depends on your job, school, employer, or personal goals.
| BLS Certification | CPR Certification |
| Primarily designed for healthcare professionals and trained responders | Often designed for the general public and workplace responders |
| Covers adult, child, and infant CPR | Content varies by course |
| Includes AED training | AED training is commonly included |
| Covers rescue breathing and ventilation | May include rescue breathing depending on the course |
| Emphasizes team-based resuscitation | Generally focuses on individual emergency response |
| Commonly required by healthcare employers and training programs | Commonly required for teachers, caregivers, childcare workers, and other non-healthcare roles |
| May require a hands-on skills demonstration | Requirements vary by provider and course |
Can You Get BLS Certification Completely Online in Washington?
You can complete the online portion of BLS training in Washington, but an AHA BLS certification generally requires a hands-on skills component. Blended BLS courses allow you to complete the coursework online and then demonstrate CPR, AED, ventilation, and other required skills during a skills session.
An online-only BLS certificate may not satisfy your employer, school, or healthcare program. Check the specific certification requirements before enrolling, especially if you need an AHA BLS Provider card.
Is BLS Hard for a Regular Person?
You can complete part of a BLS certification course online in Washington, but a fully online course may not be accepted for healthcare employment or certain regulated professions. Many BLS courses use blended learning, where you complete the lessons and exam online and then attend an in-person hands-on skills session. This allows an instructor to evaluate CPR, AED, ventilation, and other practical skills.
Before enrolling, check whether your employer, school, or state-regulated profession accepts online BLS certification. For example, Washington requires an in-person skills assessment for certain dental professionals who need healthcare-provider BLS certification.
In short: Online BLS training is available, but you may still need an in-person skills assessment to receive an accepted BLS certification.
How Long Is BLS Certification Valid in Washington?
For American Heart Association (AHA) BLS certification, the BLS Provider Course Completion Card is valid for two years from the date of completion. This applies to AHA BLS courses taken in Washington as well as elsewhere.
After two years, you generally need to complete a BLS renewal course to maintain current certification. If your employer, school, or clinical program requires active BLS certification, check its renewal requirements and avoid allowing your certification to expire.
How to Get BLS Certified in Washington
Getting BLS certification in Washington involves choosing the right course, completing the required training, and demonstrating the necessary lifesaving skills. If your employer, school, or healthcare program requires an AHA BLS Provider certification, make sure you select the specific course they accept.
Here are the steps that you can follow to get BLS certified in Washington:
1. Choose the Right BLS Course
Select a BLS course from a recognized training provider. The AHA offers classroom, blended-learning, and self-guided BLS options.
2. Complete the BLS Training
Learn essential skills such as adult, child, and infant CPR, AED use, rescue breathing, ventilation, choking relief, and team-based resuscitation.
3. Complete the Skills Session
If you choose blended BLS, complete the online portion first and then attend the required hands-on skills session. The AHA requires completion of the skills component for its BLS course completion card.
4. Pass the Required Assessment
Demonstrate that you can correctly perform the required BLS skills and meet the course requirements.
5. Receive Your BLS Certification
After successfully completing all required components, you receive your BLS Provider eCard. An AHA BLS Provider card is valid for two years.
Start Your BLS Certification with CPR Washington
A regular person can get BLS certification in Washington without being a healthcare professional or having prior medical experience. BLS is commonly used by healthcare workers, students, and trained responders, but others can also take the course to develop essential lifesaving skills. Just make sure the course you choose meets the requirements of your employer, school, or organization.
At CPR Washington, we bring more than two decades of experience providing BLS training to residents throughout Washington and other areas. Over the years, we have successfully helped thousands of students earn their BLS certifications through quality, practical training. We offer CPR, BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification training in Washington to help healthcare professionals, students, and other individuals develop essential lifesaving skills. If you are ready to get certified, enroll in a CPR or BLS course with CPR Washington today.
