Blended
Most Popular!- Shorter in-person session
- Self-paced, interactive online learning
- Multiple courses offered every week
- More cost-effective
CERTIFICATION COURSE
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
High-performance resuscitation training designed for health care providers and emergency responders who need to act quickly, confidently and as part of a coordinated team.
Need First Aid too? Explore Intermediate First Aid (Standard) with CPR BLS instead.
Overview
Basic Life Support (BLS) is the standard of CPR training for healthcare professionals. Whether you are a nursing student heading into clinical placement, a paramedic renewing your annual certification, or a physician maintaining your credentials, BLS gives you the high-performance resuscitation skills your role demands.
This 1-year certification covers advanced airway management, 2-rescuer coordination, bag-valve-mask technique, and team-based response protocols that go well beyond what CPR Level A or C offer.
Offered as a stand-alone CPR course, or choose the CPR BLS option within our Intermediate (Standard) First Aid program.
Traditional
- Longer in-person session
- Limited availability
Why Choose Blended Learning? Learn more about the full blended learning experience, how the online modules work, what to expect on your in-person day, and why this is our most popular format.
→Certification Levels
Choosing Your CPR Level
Certification Levels
CPR/AED Level A
CPR/AED Level C
Basic Life Support (BLS)
What's Covered
Intended For
Examples
Your Facility or Ours!
Group Training
Certification
Flexible Scheduling
Volume Pricing
Awareness Workshops
Customizable Content
Dedicated Support
We Make It Fun. We Make It Real.
Why Train with Action First Aid
Innovative First Aid Education
Training You'll Remember
Flexible Blended Learning
Experienced Instructors
WSIB / CSA Recognized Provider
Training Centres in Barrie, Bracebridge & Sudbury
Basic Life Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Health Care Provider (HCP) the same as Basic Life Support (BLS)
Yes. Basic Life Support (BLS) is the new term to refer to what was previously known as Health Care Provider (HCP). If your school or employer requires “CPR-HCP”, registering for CPR Level BLS fulfills this requirement.
What is the difference between BLS and CPR Level C?
CPR Level C is designed for the general public and covers single-rescuer CPR and AED use for adults, children and infants. BLS is designed specifically for healthcare professionals and adds high-performance team CPR, 2-rescuer coordination, bag-valve mask technique, pulse checks, and clinical protocols not covered in CPR level A or C courses.
Who needs BLS certification?
BLS is required for nursing students in clinical placements, nurses, doctors, paramedics, respiratory therapists, physiotherapists, dentists and other regulated healthcare professionals. If your school or employer requires healthcare-level CPR for licensure or employment, BLS is the certification you need.
How long is BLS certification valid?
BLS certification is valid for 1 year. Annual renewal is required for most healthcare employment and clinical placements. Action First Aid offers both in-person and blended recertification options to make renewal as convenient as possible.
Can I add BLS to my First Aid course?
Yes. You can choose CPR Level BLS with Intermediate First Aid.
Training
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get access to the online course?
Once you complete your booking, you will receive access via email to begin your online course within 24 hours (Monday - Friday), if booked over the weekend please expect up to 48 hours.
If you do not see your online access, please check your junk/spam folder or contact our support team.
Do I need to complete the online component before attending the in-person session?
Yes, you must complete the online component before attending the in-person session. Instructors verify completion prior to class. Please contact us if you are unable to complete before your training date. See our policies on rescheduling and cancellation.
How will I receive my certificate?
Once you've successfully completed your in-person session, your certificate will be issued to you by email (please ensure your email is accurate when completing your booking). You can contact Action First Aid at any time to request your certificate (wallet card and wall certificate).
Do you offer training outside of Ontario?
Yes. We offer group training across Canada. Please refer to our Group Booking page for more information or contact us today!
For additional information on provincial regulations, please visit our regulation page.
How long is my certificate valid for?
Intermediate First Aid, Basic First Aid and CPR/AED certificates are valid for 3 years from the date of issue. CPR BLS certificates are valid for 1 year.
Annual retraining is recommended for CPR/AED certificates. Intermediate First Aid certificate holders are eligible to complete a 1 day recertification course before their certificate expires.
Where do we offer training?
We offer group training across Ontario and in 8 out of 13 provinces and territories in Canada.
We offer regular public first aid and CPR training at our dedicated training centres across Ontario, including: Barrie, Bracebridge, Sudbury and Ottawa.
View our upcoming course dates and book your course directly through our online booking calendar.
Check back for new training centre locations coming soon!
Do you offer in house training for businesses and organizations?
Yes! We offer a dedicated Instructor "Train-the-Trainer" Program designed for businesses, school boards, health organizations, and enterprise teams that want to deliver certified, compliant first aid training in-house.
Through this program, qualified members of your staff (such as occupational health nurses, safety officers, or athletic trainers) become certified First Aid Instructors under Action First Aid. This gives your organization the flexibility to run on-demand training internally at a significantly reduced per-participant cost while maintaining full regulatory compliance.
Do you offer on-site group training?
Yes! We specialize in bringing hands-on first aid training directly to your workplace, facility or job site across Ontario and other provinces.
On-site group training allows your team to train together on your schedule while saving on travel costs. Learn more on our Group Booking page.
How do I become a training affiliate of Action First Aid.
Action First Aid partners with organizations, instructors, and safety training companies to expand training delivery through our network, resources, and compliance network. Visit our Affiliate Opportunities Page for more information.
What happens if my certificate is already expired? Is there a grace period?
There is no grace period once a certificate passes its expiration date. Once expired, you are no longer considered certified and must take the full course to regain valid certification.
If you hold an expired Intermediate First Aid certificate, this means you can no longer take the 1-day recertification stream and must register for the full course.
What should I wear or bring to my in-person practical session?
To ensure a comfortable and smooth practical training session, please plan for the following:
Clothing: Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and flat, closed-toe shoes. You will be practicing hands-on skills such as CPR, chest compressions, and casualty positioning on the floor.
Identification: Bring a valid piece of government-issued photo ID.
Proof of Prerequisite (Recertifications Only): If you are attending a 1-day Recertification course, you must bring a physical or digital copy of your unexpired First Aid certificate to show your instructor.
Online Completion Record: Proof that you completed your online modules (for blended learning courses).