Follow These Steps to Become an AHA Instructor
*Instructor Candidates must be 18 years or older.
- Complete an Instructor Candidate Application and the Instructor Potential (IP) recommendation letter and forward to the Training Center ( TC ). The TC will review the Instructor Candidate Application and IP Recommendation Letter. If Accepted, the Instructor Candidate can then enroll in an AHA Instructor Course that they have applied for.
- You must have current American Heart Association provider status in the discipline for that Instructor Course and be proficient in all the skills of that discipline. Disciplines include ACLS, BLS, PALS, PEARS and Heartsaver.
- Successfully complete the Instructor Essentials Course for the discipline for which you are becoming an Instructor. The AHA Instructor Courses are Blended courses and require both the online portion ( 1.5 hours ) and the classroom/hands-on session ( 5 – 7 Hours ). You must complete the Online Essentials Course before coming to the classroom session. The Online Essentials Course Keycode is included in the Instructor Course registration price and forwarded to the Instructor Candidate by email. Bring your completion certificate with you to the classroom session.
- Successfully be monitored teaching within 6 months of completing the hands-on session of their Instructor Essentials Course (TC Coordinators may require additional monitoring, if needed). Once you complete the course monitoring process, you will receive your American Heart Association Instructor certification eCard for the discipline you completed.
The Instructor Candidate Application is available below for download as a .pdf document. This document is a fillable pdf form that can be emailed directly to the ERTSS Training Center for review. The TC will review the application and verify that all pre-requisites have been met.
The Instructor Instructor Potential (IP) Recommendation letter is a reference and attest that the Instructor Candidate has demonstrated knowledge and skills excellence in a provider course and is ready to start the Instructor Course process. The Instructor IP recommendation may come from a Training Center Faculty (TCF), Course Director, Instructor, or employer.
Download both of these documents below. Complete them and send them to ERTSS. Once these two documents have been received and reviewed by the TC, you will be notified of your Instructor Candidate status and then be able to enroll in the AHA Instructor Course you have applied for.
Contact The ERTSS Office for more information. 770-716-1404
AHA Instructor Candidate Application
Instructor Potential Recommendation Letter