Accreditation & Compliance
Discover how NHCC’s training programs are approved, accepted, and recognized to exceed the requirements of employers, licensing boards, and professional associations nationwide.
Learn the process through which CPR training programs are approved, the key decision-makers involved, and how each of these things matter to your organization’s unique compliance requirements.
Read about NHCC’s national accreditations and approvals, and learn how our programs are audited to align with the latest evidence-based guidelines for emergency care professionals.
Introduction
So, who approves CPR training programs?
Knowing what to look for in a CPR training provider
The program should be audited and approved by nationally recognized accrediting bodies (see ours below).
Curriculums should be routinely reviewed and updated to reflect the most current scientific consensuses and recommendations (learn more here).
The 3 Parts of Compliance
1: GUIDELINES
The words to look for:
“This training program is aligned with ILCOR/AHA guidelines for CPR and ECC.”
“This training program is evidence-based.”
How do CPR guidelines work?
Every five (5) years, a forum called The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) comes together to review the latest scientific research on CPR and emergency cardiac care.
From that research, ILCOR publishes official guidelines that standardize CPR training and emergency care across the world. These guidelines are called the Consensus on Science and Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR).
Using the CoSTR, individual countries (like the U.S.) produce their own “in-country” resuscitation guidelines. The American Heart Association (AHA) – which is the U.S. liaison to ILCOR – then communicates these guidelines to the public.
Why do they matter?
If a CPR training program doesn’t follow ILCOR/AHA guidelines, it will likely not be accredited, because it doesn’t reflect the latest evidence-based practices for lifesaving techniques like CPR.
Accreditation
2: ACCREDITATION
The words to look for:
“This training program is nationally accredited by the following organizations.”
How does accreditation work?
National accrediting bodies are organizations that assess the quality of CPR training programs, to ensure they comply with the guidelines set by ILCOR and communicated by AHA. They act as a bridge between guideline-setting forums and training providers.
Once a CPR training program has been established, the provider submits their course to these accrediting bodies for a thorough review process.
In this process, the training content is audited to ensure it meets the accreditor’s standards, incorporates the latest life-saving techniques, and aligns with up-to-date medical guidelines.
Once the training is approved, it must be regularly re-audited (typically, once per year) in order to maintain its accredited status.
Why does accreditation matter?
Choosing a course that’s accredited by reputable national bodies not only qualifies the content for continuing education credits, but ensures that the material meets high standards for quality and aligns with established CPR and ECC guidelines.
Is the AHA an approver/accreditor?
No. Through marketing, some training providers claim to be “AHA approved” or “AHA accredited” — this is misleading, as the American Heart Association is not an organization that approves or accredits any CPR training programs (see Guidelines above).
Are NHCC's courses accredited?
Yes. At NHCC, our courses are jointly accredited through the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM), the Defense Health Agency Patient Safety Program (DHA), the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
You can read more about our accreditations below.
Acceptance
3: ACCEPTANCE
The words to look for:
“My organization accepts CPR certifications from this provider.”
How does acceptance work?
Most people seek CPR certification because there’s an organization requiring them to do it — either their employer, a state council, or a professional association.
Your organization sets requirements for CPR certification, with a list of standards you must meet to fulfill those requirements.
FOR EXAMPLE:
“You must be CPR certified by an accredited provider that complies with OSHA workplace safety guidelines (aka, hands-on training).”
Your organization reviews the course provider — accreditations, guidelines, and course content — and confirms that their CPR program meets its requirements.
Once you’ve earned your CPR certification card, the organization accepts it.
In a nutshell:
Published every 5 years by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR).
Communicated in the U.S. by the American Heart Association (AHA).
Completed by accrediting bodies like PIM, ANCC, AMA, and ACPE.
To maintain accreditation, the training program must be re-audited every 12 months.
Standards set by the organization (ex: employer), according to their unique compliance criteria.
EX: “Course must comply with OSHA workplace safety standards.”
Compliance FAQ
Any other questions? We’re happy to help. Click here to get in touch.
Are NHCC's CPR training courses nationally accredited?
Yes. All NHCC courses are jointly accredited through the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM), the Defense Health Agency Patient Safety Program (DHA), the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
You can read our official accreditation statements below.
If my company requires hands-on training, does this course include it?
Absolutely! You can sign up for hands-on training at any time. As a core principle, we firmly believe real-life practice is essential to mastering any lifesaving skill, which is why we’ve built our programming around it from day one.
If your organization requires hands-on training, be sure to sign up for our Blended + Hands-On certification course. Here’s how it works:
After completing the course and passing your exam, you’ll schedule a live session with an experienced instructor, which you’ll complete from home via video conference. We’ll ship you a CPR mannequin and model AED in the mail, so you can practice with equipment that feels real.
Once you’ve passed your live skill assessment, you’ll gain access to your certification card in your online portal.
Is this course approved by the American Heart Association?
The American Heart Association isn’t an approving or accrediting body that licenses, authorizes, or endorses any kind of training service — instead, that responsibility is held by accreditors like the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine, the American Medical Association, and more (click here to learn how this process works).
In other words:
NHCC is accredited and approved nationally, but not by the AHA — because the AHA isn’t an “approver.”
That said: NHCC’s courses do adhere strictly to the most modern ILCOR/AHA scientific guidelines for CPR and ECC, and are accepted by over 99% of employers nationwide. You can read details about our national accreditations below.
How long will my my NHCC certification be valid for?
Joint Accreditation Statement
In partnership with the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM), National Healthcare Certifications is a jointly accredited provider of continuing medical education in CPR, AED, and First Aid.
Date
March 16, 2025
Date
March 16, 2026
2-8 hours
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and Defense Health Agency Patient Safety Program. Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Educational objectives
Participants in this program will be able to:
Credit designations
CPR, AED, & First Aid Certification
Physician Continuing Medical Education – AMA (MDs, DOs)
The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 6.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Continuing Nursing Education – ANCC (RNs, APRNs, NPs)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 6.0 contact hours.
Continuing Pharmacy Education
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this continuing education activity for 6.0 contact hours (0.6 CEUs) of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
Universal Activity Number – JA4008162-9999-25-432-H01-P
Type of Activity: Knowledge
CPR, AED, & First Aid Recertification
Physician Continuing Medical Education – AMA (MDs, DOs)
The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Continuing Nursing Education – ANCC (RNs, APRNs, NPs)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 4.0 contact hours.
Continuing Pharmacy Education
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this continuing education activity for 4.0 contact hours (0.4 CEUs) of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
Universal Activity Number – JA4008162-9999-25-433-H01-P
Type of Activity: Knowledge
First Aid Certification
Physician Continuing Medical Education – AMA (MDs, DOs)
The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Continuing Nursing Education – ANCC (RNs, APRNs, NPs)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 4.0 contact hours.
Continuing Pharmacy Education
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this continuing education activity for 4.0 contact hours (0.4 CEUs) of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
Universal Activity Number – JA4008162-9999-25-430-H01-P
Type of Activity: Knowledge
First Aid Recertification
Physician Continuing Medical Education – AMA (MDs, DOs)
The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Continuing Nursing Education – ANCC (RNs, APRNs, NPs)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 3.0 contact hours.
Continuing Pharmacy Education
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this continuing education activity for 3.0 contact hours (0.3 CEUs) of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
Universal Activity Number – JA4008162-9999-25-431-H01-P
Type of Activity: Knowledge
Types of CE credits available and eligibility requirements for each credit type
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Continuing Medical Education (CME) AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ credit is available to you if you are a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). You must certify in your registration that you are an MD or DO to earn this type of CE credit.
Non-Physician Medical Professionals
Designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ which is applicable to medical professionals who are not physicians, including chiropractors, paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMT), etc.
ACPE
Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) credit is available to Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians. In order to earn ACPE credit, we are required by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) and ACPE to collect both your NABP number and date of birth in MM/DD format. You must enter it during registration to receive credit. You CANNOT use an organization/MTF NABP number, it must be YOUR number. If you do not have an NABP number, please go to https://store.nabp.net/OA_HTML/xxnabpibeGblLogin.jsp and sign up for this number. If you do not provide this information, you will not earn credit. All CE eligibility requirements noted above must be adhered to in order to receive this certification. Please note, due to ACPE guidelines, all credit awarded by ACPE accredited providers to Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians will be available via CPE Monitor. If participants would like a paper statement of credit, they may print an individual statement of credit or a transcript from their NABP e-profile.
ANCC CNE
American Nurses Credentialing Center, the Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credit is available to Nurses and Nurse Practitioners.
Disclosure of unlabeled use
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. The planners of this activity do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications. The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of the planners. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
Disclosure of financial relationships
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) requires faculty, planners, and others in control of educational content to disclose all their financial relationships with ineligible companies. All relevant financial relationships are thoroughly vetted and mitigated according to PIM policy. There are no conflicts of interest. PIM is committed to providing its learners with high quality accredited continuing education activities and related materials that promote improvements or quality in healthcare and not a specific proprietary business interest of an ineligible company.
The faculty, planning staff, and content managers for this activity have nothing to disclose. The PIM planners and staff have nothing to disclose.
Faculty / Planners: Joshua Durst-Weisman, Founder, Program Author & Lead Instructor
Joint Accreditation Provided By: Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM), Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCE)
Disclaimer
Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications and/or dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.
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