Become an AHA Instructor 

Thank you for your interest in becoming an American Heart Association (AHA) Instructor.


The process happens in three stages:

  1. Apply and Register for the Instructor Course

  2. Complete Your Pre-Course Requirements

  3. Schedule Monitoring and Finalize Your Instructor Status

Please complete each section in order.

Section 1: Apply for the Instructor Training Course

This section is completed when you are applying to attend an Instructor Training Course.
All items in this section are required.

1. Choose Your Training Center Alignment

You must be aligned with an AHA Training Center to be an Instructor.

Option A – Align with ACLS Academy
You may request alignment directly with ACLS Academy as your Training Center. Please review and sign the ACLS Academy General Alignment Contract (download here). 

Option B – Align with Another AHA Training Center
If you choose to align with another Training Center, you must confirm they are willing to accept you as an Instructor before attending the Instructor Course.

You will need to provide:

Name of Training Center and Training Center ID

Contact person’s name and email

*Please fill out the form below

2. Register for Your Instructor Course

Register for the appropriate Instructor Course (ACLS, BLS, PALS, or HeartSaver)

Purchase “Instructor Essentials” and any required Instructor manuals/books

You can complete both steps on our website, www.aclsacademy.com

3. Submit Your Letter of Recommendation

A completed Letter of Recommendation is required. Download our Letter of Recommendation template. Have your recommender complete and sign it.

Upload your completed Letter of Recommendation with your application.

Section 2: Pre-Course Requirements

Once you have registered and been accepted into an Instructor Course, you become an Instructor Candidate (IC).
Before attending your in-person Instructor Course, you must upload the following:

  1. Proof of Completion – AHA Online Instructor Essentials Course

    1. Upload your certificate of completion for the AHA Online Instructor Essentials Course in your chosen discipline.

  2. Copy of Your Provider Card

    1. Upload a copy of your current AHA Provider Card (ACLS, BLS, PALS, or HeartSaver, matching the discipline for which you’re becoming an Instructor).

  3. Completed Instructor Application

    1. Fill out the Instructor application in full. Download the form here.

    2. Upload your completed application below.

All three items must be submitted before class to remain enrolled in the Instructor Course.

Section 3: After Your Instructor Course

After you have successfully completed the AHA Instructor Course, you are not fully credentialed yet—you must be monitored while teaching. Monitored teaching must occur within 6 months of completing the instructor’s course.

1. Schedule Classes to Observe and Teach

You will need to observe and then teach provider classes under the supervision of an AHA Faculty/Instructor.

Follow the instructions on the form to request your observation and teaching dates.

2. Upload Your Monitoring Form

After you have:

  • Completed all required monitored classes, and

  • Had your Instructor Monitoring Form signed by the supervising Instructor/Faculty,

Please:

  • Upload your completed Monitoring Form as well as your AHA Instructor/Training Faculty Renewal Form, if applicable, through this page.

Once everything is reviewed and approved:

  • Your AHA Instructor certification will be issued.

Your Instructor status is valid for 2 years, in accordance with AHA guidelines.