At Life Rescue Training, your safety and certification integrity are our top priorities. The Compliance Department of the American Heart Association (AHA) has launched a nationwide crackdown on fraudulent CPR providers that fail to follow official AHA guidelines.
Why You Should Be Concerned About Fraudulent CPR Classes
Taking a non-compliant course can put your money, time, career, and personal safety at risk.
Here's what can go wrong:
Wasted Time & Money – You may have to retake and repay for the course if it’s not AHA-compliant.
Fake Certification Cards – Some companies falsely claim to issue AHA cards but deliver invalid credentials.
Credit Card Fraud – Scammers often use fake payment systems to steal your financial information.
No Refund on Zelle, Cash App, or Cash – Payments through these platforms are hard to dispute.
Revoked Certification – AHA can revoke your card if the instructor or center is non-compliant.
Unsafe Training Locations – Some courses are taught in private homes or unlicensed spaces.
Risk to Professional Licenses – Nurses and healthcare workers may face disciplinary action for using fake cards.
Funding Fraud Rings – Don’t support scam artists who take advantage of those seeking valid certification.
How to Spot a Fraudulent CPR Course
The American Heart Association has identified growing cases of fraudulent CPR training across the U.S.
Here are red flags to watch out for:
No physical address or listed phone number
No real website, or one that looks unprofessional
Missing official American Heart Association logo
Promises of quick certifications without hands-on practice
No use of manikins during testing
No course materials or book requirements
Offering BLS, ACLS, and PALS simultaneously—which is not possible under AHA standards
The AHA regularly revokes instructor credentials and de-authorizes training centers that violate guidelines. If you attend a class through one of these revoked sources, your card may be invalid—even if you completed the course.
To verify, visit the American Heart Association’s official site and check their list of revoked instructors and unauthorized training locations.
The Danger of "Online-Only" CPR Companies
The American Heart Association has identified growing cases of fraudulent CPR training across the U.S. Here are red flags to watch out for:
All AHA certifications must include official Heartcode training AND in-person skills testing using certified instructors or AHA-approved Voice-Assisted Manikins (VAM).
Claims like “AHA Approved,” “AHA Certified,” or “Created by AHA professionals” are red flags unless the provider is a legitimate AHA Training Center.
Know the Proper Course Lengths
Beware of “express” courses that cut corners. All AHA instructor-led training must meet these minimum durations:
BLS: 3–4 hours
ACLS: 4–6 hours
PALS: 4–6 hours
Any course promising faster times is not AHA compliant.
Nurses, EMTs, and Medical Professionals
Healthcare professionals in Florida are bound by ethical guidelines. Taking a course from an unapproved source could lead to:
Loss of certification
Disciplinary action by licensing boards
Rejection of your card by hospitals, clinics, or schools
Administrators: Please ensure your staff are only attending courses through authorized AHA Training Centers like Life Rescue Training.
Fraud in the News
CPR training fraud is a national issue. These real cases show the importance of staying alert: