What CPR Level Do I Need?
CPR certifications come in three levels in Ontario: CPR-A, CPR-C, and CPR-BLS. The right one depends on your role, your workplace, and what your employer or regulatory body requires. This guide connects each level to the situations and industries that actually call for it.
Start Here
CPR-A
Adult CPR. Meets the general workplace compliance requirement for most Ontario employers. Office, retail, construction, hospitality.
View CPR-A →CPR-C
Adults, children, and infants. Required for childcare workers, ECE programs, school and camp staff, and anyone working with children.
View CPR-C →CPR-BLS
Basic Life Support. Required for dental offices, medical clinics, nurses, paramedics, and any professional regulated by a health college.
View CPR-BLS →Adult CPR & AED
CPR-A covers cardiac emergencies in adults only. It is the baseline CPR level recognized for general workplace compliance across Ontario under most Ministry of Labour requirements.
If your employer says you need CPR certification and hasn't specified a level, CPR-A is typically what they mean.
Adult, Child & Infant CPR with AED
CPR-C is the most comprehensive standalone CPR course available outside the healthcare standard. It covers all age groups and includes full AED training. It satisfies CPR-A requirements wherever CPR-A is mandated.
Required for childcare workers under Ontario's Child Care and Early Years Act, and strongly recommended for anyone working with children.
Basic Life Support with AED
CPR-BLS (formerly Healthcare Provider) is the standard for regulated health professionals and clinical settings. It adds two-rescuer CPR, bag-valve-mask technique, and team-based resuscitation to the CPR-C skill set.
Required by dental regulatory colleges, hospital credentialing bodies, and most healthcare employer policies. Annual renewal required.
Which Level Is Required Where
Ontario regulations and professional standards drive CPR level requirements. The table below maps common workplace and professional contexts to the appropriate certification.
| Industry / Role | Requirement Driver | Recommended Level | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental offices and clinics | RCDSO / CDHO standards | CPR-BLS | View course |
| Medical clinics, hospitals | Hospital credentialing / employer policy | CPR-BLS | View course |
| Nurses, paramedics, PSWs | CNO / PARAMEDIC COLLEGE / employer | CPR-BLS | View course |
| Chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage therapy | College of Chiropractors / employer policy | CPR-BLS | View course |
| Childcare workers (licensed daycares) | Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA) | CPR-C | View course |
| Early childhood educators (ECE) | CCEYA / employer requirement | CPR-C | View course |
| Camp counsellors and school staff | Employer policy / program requirements | CPR-C | View course |
| Personal trainers, fitness instructors | Canfitpro / employer / facility policy | CPR-C | View course |
| Construction, trades, industrial | OHSA / Ontario Regulation 1101 | CPR-A or Standard First Aid | View course |
| Office and retail workers | Employer policy / OHSA | CPR-A | View course |
| Security personnel | Employer policy / Ministry of Labour | CPR-A | View course |
| Restaurants and hospitality | Employer policy | CPR-A | View course |
CPR Is Often Part of a Larger Course
Most workplace compliance requirements call for Standard First Aid or Emergency First Aid, with CPR included. In those cases, CPR isn't a separate booking: you choose your CPR level when you register for the first aid course.
Standalone CPR courses (CPR-A, CPR-C, CPR-BLS) exist for situations where only CPR certification is required — such as annual BLS renewals in a dental office, or a personal trainer maintaining their CPR-C between first aid recertifications.
- Standard First Aid + CPR-C is the most common workplace compliance combination
- Standard First Aid + CPR-BLS is required for most healthcare workplace designates
- Standalone CPR-BLS is typical for annual renewal in dental and clinical settings
- Standalone CPR-A or CPR-C covers personal preparedness or single-requirement renewals
Answered Directly
Can I take CPR-C if I only need CPR-A?
Yes. CPR-C covers everything CPR-A covers, plus children and infants. A CPR-C certificate satisfies any CPR-A requirement. If you're unsure which level you'll need in the future, CPR-C gives you more coverage.
My employer just says "CPR certification" — which level is that?
In most general workplace contexts, that means CPR-A. If you work with children or in a healthcare-adjacent environment, ask your employer or HR to confirm. We can help you read the requirement if you're not sure.
Does CPR-BLS replace CPR-C?
Yes. CPR-BLS covers everything CPR-C covers and more. A BLS certificate satisfies CPR-C and CPR-A requirements. If you hold CPR-BLS, you don't need a separate CPR-C or CPR-A certification.
How often do I need to renew my CPR certification?
All three levels are valid for 1 year. CPR-BLS must be renewed annually without exception — most healthcare employers and regulatory colleges enforce this strictly. CPR-A and CPR-C renewals are typically tracked by your employer.
Can I take CPR without taking a full first aid course?
Yes. CPR-A, CPR-C, and CPR-BLS are all available as standalone courses. Each is delivered in blended format: 2 hours of online theory followed by a 2-hour in-person practical session.
Is Assured Response CPR recognized by WSIB?
Yes. Assured Response is a WSIB-approved training provider. All CPR certifications issued are recognized for Ontario workplace health and safety compliance purposes.
Find a CPR Course Near You
All CPR courses are delivered in blended format: online theory on your schedule, practical session at an authorized location. Certificates issued by the next business day.