How to Choose the Right CPR & First Aid Certification

Not all CPR & First Aid certifications are the same. The right class for you depends on your job, goals, and who you may be caring for. This simple guide explains the three most common certification types offered through First Aid on the Move, so you can feel confident choosing the one that fits your needs.

Basic CPR & First Aid

Basic CPR & First Aid is the most common certification. It teaches everyday emergency skills, including CPR for adults, children, and infants, how to use an AED, how to respond to choking, and how to provide basic first aid care.

This course is perfect for parents, caregivers, workplace teams, coaches, volunteers, and anyone who wants to feel more prepared. It’s also a great starting point for students entering medical-adjacent programs. If you’re looking for general safety training that covers the essentials, this is the class for you.

Basic CPR & First Aid is offered in a convenient hybrid format, so you can complete the online portion at your own pace and then join a hands-on skills session to finish your certification.

BLS (Basic Life Support)

BLS is a more advanced CPR course designed for healthcare environments. It focuses on high-quality CPR with a team-based approach. You’ll learn skills such as using a bag-mask device and working with others to respond quickly and confidently, along with AED use.

This certification is intended for healthcare professionals and students pursuing clinical careers, including nursing, EMT/paramedic programs, and medical assisting. It’s also ideal for first responders.

If you’re headed toward or already working in the medical field, you’ll likely need BLS. Like Basic CPR & First Aid, BLS is offered in a hybrid format to make training more flexible and accessible.

Childcare EMSA

Childcare EMSA is specifically designed to meet California EMSA requirements for licensed childcare providers. This course focuses on children’s safety and covers pediatric CPR and AED use, choking relief for infants and children, and first aid for common childhood injuries. It also includes California-specific childcare safety requirements.

This is the best choice for daycare and preschool staff, after-school program workers, foster or kinship caregivers, and anyone entering a childcare-related role.

Childcare EMSA is offered as a full-day, in-person class so participants can receive hands-on practice tailored to the needs of young children.

Quick Summary

If you’re unsure which class you need, here’s a fast way to decide:

Most workplaces only require Basic CPR & First Aid.Students and professionals in healthcare pathways usually need BLS.If you work directly with children in California, you’ll most likely need Childcare EMSA.

If you’re still uncertain, we’re happy to help guide you.

Ready to Get Certified?

Choosing the right CPR & First Aid class is an important step toward keeping the people around you safer. Whether you’re preparing for a new job, working with kids, or simply want to be ready in an emergency, we’re here to help you get the certification you need.

📍 Find a class near you→ [Link to your Class Events page]

Let’s get you certified!