Updated September 30, 2026 · AcademyCue Editorial Team
American BLS vs CPRToday
What sets them apart
| Compare |  American BLS | CPRToday ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $14.95Lower | $29.95 |
| Course hours | 3 hoursHigher | 0.5 to 2 hours |
| Tutor support | YesHas it | No |
| Money-back period | 30 days | 60 daysHigher |
| Job support | Not confirmed | No |
Same on both: Certification type (Cpr), Teaching practicum (No), Exam fee included (Yes), Recertification period (2 years).
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Key differences
- American BLS scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.1.
- Price from is lower at American BLS: $14.95 vs $29.95.
- Course hours is higher at American BLS: 3 hours vs 0.5 to 2 hours.
- Tutor support: only American BLS.
- Money-back period is higher at CPRToday: 60 days vs 30 days.
- Support channels: only American BLS offers Phone.
Our verdict on each
American BLS
American BLS is a short, fully online CPR certificate course that suits nurses, childcare staff, and personal trainers who need a quick renewal on a budget. The exam fee comes with it, tutor support answers questions, and a 30 days money back window covers a bad first purchase.
CPRToday
CPRToday is a sensible pick for anyone wanting a short, fully online CPR certificate at a mid-range price, with the exam fee included and a 2 years recertification cycle. It sits well above the cheapest listings without reaching subscription pricing, and the trade-off is that support runs on email and help centre only.
Score breakdown
| Area | American BLS | CPRToday |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.8HigherCertificate fees across the field run €0 to €15.10, while the BLS certification course price of $14.95 already includes the exam. | 9.5Entry price of $29.95 runs above $12.95 and $14.95, with the exam fee included so no later charge narrows the gap. |
| Offer | 9.0HigherA course of 3 hours, exam fee included, tutor support, and a certificate that renews every 2 years. | 8.8Exam fee included, a 0.5 to 2 hours study load and online delivery, with nothing extra to budget for the certificate. |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.0Courses follow aha guidelines and carry a 60 days refund window on a named US legal entity, CPRToday! Inc.. |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | American BLS | CPRToday |
|---|---|---|
| Online CPR and first aid courses | 4 of 15 | 11 of 15 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | American BLS | CPRToday |
|---|---|---|
| Accreditation | Not confirmed | Aha guidelines |
| Delivery | Online | Online |
| Legal entity | American BLS Services Corp. | CPRToday! Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1999 |
| Support channels | Phone, Email, Help centreCovers more | Email, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | American BLS | CPRToday | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $14.95lowest quarter | $29.95below the median | $79 |
| Course hours | 3 hourslowest quarter | 0.5 to 2 hourslowest quarter | 60 hours |
| Recertification period | 2 yearsat the median | 2 yearsat the median | 2 years |
| Money-back period | 30 daysabove the median | 60 dayshighest quarter | 14 days |
Median across 52 listed providers.
Pros and cons
American BLS
Pros
- The BLS certification course starts at $14.95, and the exam fee is part of that price rather than a charge added at the end.
- Tutor support is included, which matters in a course of 3 hours because there is little room to get stuck on a protocol detail.
- Support runs on phone, email and help centre, so a stuck learner has several routes to a person.
Cons
- There is no practicum, so anyone who needs supervised compressions or a witnessed skills check should look at a provider that includes one.
- 3 hours is shorter than the 4 hours at ACLS Now and the 4 hours at American CPR Care Association, so there is less course length to show an employer.
- Entry sits above National CPR Foundation, which lists $12.95 against the $14.95 asked for the BLS certification course here.
CPRToday
Pros
- The exam fee is included, so the entry price of $29.95 covers the course, the assessment and the certificate with no add-on later.
- Certification follows aha guidelines, which is the guidance most employers and training bodies ask about.
- The certificate runs for 2 years, so renewal falls less often than on shorter cycles.
Cons
- Support runs on email and help centre only, with no phone line or live chat for questions before or after a purchase.
- Tutor support is listed as no, so nobody walks you through the course material or a practice scenario.
- There is no practicum, so the skills component is not assessed in person.
Who each suits
American BLS
Who it suits
- Nurses, childcare workers and personal trainers who need a CPR card current and can study on their own schedule.
- Learners who are comfortable with online study and no supervised practice session.
- Budget buyers who would rather have the exam fee inside the entry price than pay for it later.
Who should look elsewhere
- ACLS Now, when the extra course length of 4 hours matters more than the entry price.
- National CPR Foundation, when the lower $12.95 is the deciding number.
- American CPR Care Association, when 4 hours of course length fits an employer requirement better.
CPRToday
Who it suits
- People who need a current CPR card for a workplace, a sports club or a volunteering role and want it delivered online with no classroom to book.
- Learners who already know the material and only need a refresh, since course time runs 0.5 to 2 hours.
- Buyers who would rather see the exam fee settled up front than discover it as a separate charge after passing.
Who should look elsewhere
- National CPR Foundation, if the entry fee matters most and starting at $12.95 is enough.
- ACLS Now, if a lower entry price of $14.95 is the deciding factor.
- American BLS, for anyone whose requirement names a BLS card rather than the cpr course CPRToday sells.
Country by country
| Country | American BLS | CPRToday |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | No | Yes |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
American BLS
How much does the American BLS certification course cost?+
The BLS certification course is listed at $14.95. The exam fee is included in that figure, so there is no separate assessment charge to budget for later. Entry is the only figure to plan for, and the 30 days money back window means a buyer who changes their mind has a deadline to use it.
How long does the course take to complete?+
The course runs 3 hours of study. That is a short commitment, and it suits a learner who already works through adult CPR protocol and mainly needs the certificate and its exam. Someone who needs the material explained from the start has a thin schedule to work with.
CPRToday
What does a CPR course cost, and is the renewal cheaper?+
Course fees start at $29.95, and that figure covers the CPR course with the exam fee included, so there is nothing extra to pay for the certificate. The listed figure is an entry price for the course itself, and the certificate runs 2 years, so renewal is a repeat purchase on the same scale rather than a cheaper renewal rate.
How long is the certificate valid before I have to recertify?+
Your certificate is good for 2 years from the date you pass, and it has to be renewed on that cycle. The teaching content is based on aha guidelines, so the material follows current resuscitation guidance rather than a fixed syllabus written once. Plan the renewal as a full repeat purchase, because the listed fee is an entry price and no reduced renewal rate is published.