CAPCE Continuing Education & CPR Requirements
Emergency responders, EMTs, and paramedics are required to accumulate CEs and report them to CAPCE. CPR and other life-saving skills are an important part of continuing education.
Read on to learn all about CAPCE CPR requirements, approved courses, and profession-specific details so you can choose the best course for your unique situation.
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What Is CAPCE?
CAPCE is the Commission on Accreditation for Prehospital Continuing Education. It is the organization that oversees continuing education for emergency responders, EMTs, and paramedics.
Because the medical field is constantly evolving as research uncovers new information, treatments, and best practices, medical professionals — including emergency responders — need to maintain their credentials with continuing education (CE) units.
Maintaining a valid and current CPR certification is part of CAPCE’s continuing education requirements.
CAPCE Continuing Education & Course Content CPR Requirements
Organizations base their CPR certification requirements on three criteria:

COURSE CONTENT
What skills are covered in the program.

COURSE DELIVERY METHOD
How the program is delivered, such as fully online, blended, or classroom.

COURSE BRAND
Who is offering the program

CAPCE Continuing Education & Course Brand CPR Requirements
Some national organizations require that your CPR training come from a specific brand; others don’t have brand-specific requirements and allow you to complete your training with flexible online providers like ProTrainings.
CAPCE has explicitly approved ProTrainings’ as an organization, meaning that all of our courses are approved.
You can see our listing here.
Through ProTrainings, there are a number of CAPCE-Accredited educational courses available to you, such as Bloodborne Pathogens, Self Defense, Ergonomics, ACLS, and PALS.


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CAPCE Continuing Education & Course Delivery Method CPR Requirements
CPR can be taught in a classroom, online, or in a blended format. Some national organizations that oversee professionals and require CPR certification have set additional standards regarding the type of course you take.
If you are overseen by CAPCE, you will need to complete a hands-on skills assessment in order to earn a valid BLS certification that will be accepted by CAPCE.
While you can complete a classroom-based BLS program, most professionals prefer to take a blended BLS class. A blended CPR program allows you to complete the video training and written test portions completely online and then complete a hands-on practice and skills assessment with a certified instructor over a live instructor-led video conference.
Blended programs are often preferred for their flexibility, convenience, and remote-friendly format. We also have local instructors to conduct your skills session in person.

Special USCG CPR & First Aid Requirements for Certification
In addition to the course content, course modality, and course brand requirements discussed above, USCG has additional requirements that professionals must adhere to.
USCG, in particular, requires specific language to appear on CPR certification cards. Many online CPR training providers will issue you a standard CPR certification card that does not meet these requirements.
However, ProTrainings has collaborated with the US Coast Guard to ensure that all CPR certifications for USCG personnel feature the required text.
To ensure that you are taking one of the approved courses and receive a CPR certification card with the USCG special language, sign up here.
USCG, in particular, requires specific language to appear on CPR certification cards. Many online CPR training providers will issue you a standard CPR certification card that does not meet these requirements.
However, ProTrainings has collaborated with the US Coast Guard to ensure that all CPR certifications for USCG personnel feature the required text.
To ensure that you are taking one of the approved courses and receive a CPR certification card with the USCG special language, sign up here.
Learn More About Professional CPR Requirements
Browse other national organizations that ProTrainings works with:
CAPCE CPR Requirements FAQs
Does CAPCE accept online CPR certifications?
CAPCE only accepts BLS certifications from courses that require a hands-on skills assessment, such as classroom or blended BLS courses.
In a blended BLS course, you will complete the training portion of the course online, which allows you to access your course from anywhere, start and stop the course at any time, and replay videos as needed.
Then, you will complete a hands-on skills assessment with a certified CPR instructor. At ProTrainings, our blended CPR courses are set up so that you can complete the hands-on skills assessment over a live video conference. Your evaluator leads you through those practical skills in the comfort of your own home or office at your chosen date and time.
Is ProTrainings approved by CAPCE?
Yes! ProTrainings has received explicit approval from CAPCE for our courses.
ProTrainings’ blended BLS courses have been approved by CAPCE’s board.
Browse our CAPCE-approved BLS courses here.