Fraud Alert - Beware of Fraudulent CPR Courses in Berkley
How Do I Know If A Class Is Fraudulent?
Fraudulent American Heart Association (AHA) training courses have become a growing issue across California and the United States. Protect yourself by following this quick guide to identify and avoid these scams.
If you suspect you’ve taken a fraudulent course—or are about to enroll in one—it’s important to report it. Notify the American Heart Association directly to help safeguard others and hold these operations accountable.
Summation of CPR Scams
- They offer CPR classes that skip essential hands-on training or use questionable teaching methods.
- The company lacks an official website or has one that feels untrustworthy.
- They don’t provide a physical address or phone number for support.
- Legitimate CPR companies display the AHA logo on their sites. If it’s missing, they likely aren’t affiliated.
- They issue certification cards without requiring practical training on manikins, a vital component of any credible CPR class.
- They skip providing official coursebooks for instructor-led learning, which is a standard requirement.
Stacking - Teaching Classes Same Time
If you’re wondering how a company can run multiple classes, like BLS, ACLS, and PALS, at the same time, the truth is—they can’t. Each course requires different videos and materials, making it impossible to teach them simultaneously.
What to do:
If you notice this happening, report it to the American Heart Association by emailing [email protected].
Online Only CPR Companies
The American Heart Association (AHA) does not certify or approve training courses created by other organizations. Any claims that a training product is “AHA Certified,” “AHA Approved,” “AHA Compliant,” or “created by AHA certified” individuals are false. These are typically fake websites offering bogus certifications.
To ensure legitimacy, all certification cards must come directly from an authorized AHA Training Center.
For online CPR courses, only use the official American Heart Association website. Additionally, skills testing must be completed with a certified AHA instructor or through a Voice-Assisted Manikin (VAM) to meet AHA standards.
Cash or Venmo Accepted Only
If a CPR training company only accepts payments via Venmo, cash, or PayPal, consider it a red flag. Many of these businesses operate this way to avoid paying taxes, and they can disappear just as quickly as they open.
Paying with cash also leaves you vulnerable. If the company turns out to be a scam, you’ll have no way to recover your money. Always opt to pay with a credit card—it not only adds convenience but also offers protection. If you’re scammed or never receive your certification card, you can dispute the charge with your credit card provider.
Zoom Courses
Acceptable Courses Over Zoom
You can take the official BLS Online HeartCode or Heartsaver Online CPR and First-Aid courses. Once completed, you’ll need to perform a skills test via Zoom with an American Heart Association instructor. The skills test must occur in an office equipped with proper CPR manikins.
Not Acceptable Courses Over Zoom
Courses where the instructor conducts a Zoom session without proper CPR manikins and AED in front of the participant are not allowed.
Additionally, ACLS or PALS skills testing is strictly prohibited over Zoom.
What to do:
If you have concerns or questions about course eligibility, email the American Heart Association at [email protected].
Written Test Only
Many CPR companies are misleading students by sending an online written test from eLearning.heart.org and then emailing fake American Heart Association (AHA) certification cards. If you’ve received such a card without completing hands-on practice on CPR manikins, you’ve been scammed. This is not a valid AHA-approved course. Practical skill training is a critical requirement for legitimate certification.
What to do:
Report the incident immediately by contacting the American Heart Association at [email protected].
Book Policy
If you’re attending an instructor-led course, the American Heart Association (AHA) requires that you own the relevant book or ebook before, during, and after the class.
Be aware that courses offering to rent or lend books, or those not requiring you to purchase a book, violate AHA policies and are considered fraudulent.
What to do:
If you suspect a course doesn’t meet AHA guidelines, report it to the American Heart Association by emailing [email protected].
Instructor To Student Ratio
The instructor-to-student ratio is critical to ensure proper monitoring and effective training. When these ratios are exceeded, the quality of instruction can suffer. If you notice a course exceeding the recommended ratios, it’s important to inform the American Heart Association.
BLS: 1 instructor per 9 students
ACLS: 1 instructor per 6 students
PALS: 1 instructor per 6 students
What to do:
If your class does not comply with these standards, please email the American Heart Association at [email protected].
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 cut corners by offering shortened courses to save time and money. Whether it’s a small class or one-on-one training, the course length must meet specific guidelines. However, many companies list only the start time of their courses, leaving the end time unclear. If your course doesn’t follow the proper duration guidelines, it might not be legitimate.
BLS: 3–4 hours
ACLS: 4–6 hours
PALS: 4–6 hours
What to do:
If you suspect your course doesn’t meet these requirements, report it to the American Heart Association by emailing them at [email protected].
Revoking Your Certification Card
If you take a non-compliant course, your eCard could be revoked. Not only that, but your employer or school may be notified, which could harm your reputation—they’d know you attended a course that didn’t meet standards.
For those offering publicly held courses at facilities or schools, the stakes are just as high. If an instructor issues non-compliant cards, the last three months of certifications could be revoked, creating a chain reaction of refunds and reputational damage.
And it doesn’t end there. If CE credits were issued—like those from a dental board—compliance issues would multiply, adding to the headache.
Nurses And Professional Conduct
California nurses, dentists, and other medical professionals must adhere to a strict code of ethics. Attending a CPR course that doesn’t meet proper guidelines could result in needing to retake the course—or worse, facing disciplinary action. Additionally, some schools and medical facilities reject certification cards issued by unreliable or fraudulent CPR training providers.
If you’re an administrator, it’s your responsibility to ensure staff members receive training from a reputable American Heart Association Training Center. Skipping this step could lead to serious consequences—both for your staff and your organization. After all, no one wants to see their institution featured in a headline for the wrong reasons.
Fraudulent CPR Training In The News
Resuscitation Quality Improvement by the American Heart Association
To ensure you’re taking an authorized American Heart Association (AHA) course, we recommend enrolling in their official HeartCode programs for BLS CPR, ACLS, or PALS. This process includes completing the AHA HeartCode online module and a skills test using either a voice-assisted manikin (VAM) or a virtual instructor. Upon successful completion, you’ll receive an official AHA certification card, valid for two years.
Safety Training Seminars provides these courses at over 65 locations across Northern California. With AHA license number 20784, we’ve been serving the community since 1989. Trusted by California’s top medical and healthcare organizations, we train over 60,000 students annually—many of whom return year after year.