CPR Requirements for Firefighter
Yes. All firefighters are required to maintain current CPR/BLS certification. Fire medics and many firefighters also require ACLS.
Certification Requirements
BLS
Legal RequirementMost fire departments require EMT-Basic or higher, which subsumes BLS. At minimum, Firefighter I standards include CPR/First Aid. NFPA 1582 and state fire academies set requirements.
State-Specific Variations
Requirements may differ from the national standard in these states.
CA
RecommendedStatute requires completion within 1 year of employment and refresher training at least every 3 years; Title 22 provides more specific training/retraining standards (including AED and healthcare-provider-level CPR skill depth).
View state regulationFrequently Asked Questions
Do firefighters need CPR certification?
Yes. CPR/BLS certification is a legal requirement for firefighters under NFPA 1582 and state fire standards. Fire medics must also hold ACLS certification.
CPR Requirements for Firefighter by State
Select your state to see specific requirements, state overrides, and classes near you.
Book Your Class
Find an accredited BLS (Basic Life Support) class near you and book online today.
Find Classes Near MeAt a Glance
- Requirement Level
- Legal Requirement
- Certifications Needed
- BLS (Basic Life Support)
- ACLS (Fire Medics)
- Renewal Period
- Every 2 years
- Required By
- NFPA 1582 / State fire standards