About the UT Austin School of Nursing AHA Training Center
As an AHA Training Center (TC ID: TX21038) UT Austin School of Nursing provides high quality cardiovascular education to students, healthcare professionals, and the community. The TC supports instructors through alignment, program administration guidance, and ongoing updates from the AHA.
Purpose of the Course
This training is designed for professionals who:
- Already hold a current AHA BLS Provider certification
- Are motivated to teach CPR and first aid skills
- Want to align with an official AHA Training Center to deliver courses and issue completion cards
Upon successful completion, instructors may also teach
- Heartsaver CPR/AED
- Family & Friends CPR
- K–12 Heartsaver CPR/AED
- Heartsaver First Aid
Please note: Heartsaver modules are not included with training and are a separate purchase.
Instructor Eligibility Requirements
Candidates must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Hold a current AHA BLS Provider certification
- Adhere to all AHA Core Competencies for Instructors, including:
- Skills – Cognitive and psychomotor mastery
- Course Delivery – Teaching accurately per AHA lesson plans
- Testing – Assessing student performance effectively
- Professionalism – Ethical, professional conduct
- Program Administration – Managing materials, space, time, and paperwork
How to Apply
Interested candidates email BLSClasses@nursing.utexas.edu to request the Instructor Candidate Application.
Applicants must be affiliated with a corporation, government entity, nonprofit, or UT department.
If unsure, candidates should email with:
- Who is applying and are you affiliated with an organization?
- Purpose for seeking instructor status.
- How will the certification be used?
Instructor Candidate Training Timeline
1. Confirm Eligibility Requirements
Ensure you meet all prerequisites, including age, current BLS Provider certification, and readiness to complete all candidate training components.
2. Request the Application
Email your current AHA BLS Provider eCard to BLSClasses@nursing.utexas.edu to receive the Instructor Candidate Application.
3. Submit Application Details
Provide affiliation information, purpose for seeking instructor status, and how you intend to use the certification.
4. Receive Acceptance Materials
Upon acceptance, you will receive a calendar invite, the Instructor Candidate Application packet, and registration and payment instructions.
5. Complete Instructor Training
Finish the Instructor Essentials online module, attend the in person training, complete skills review, and pass required exams.
6. Complete Monitored Teaching
Teach a monitored session within 6 months of hands on training; additional monitoring may be required based on performance.
7. Begin Teaching as Certified Instructor
Once monitoring is complete, you gain access to the AHA Instructor Network and may teach BLS Provider and eligible Heartsaver courses.
Training Components
Instructor training includes:
- Training Center Alignment with UT Austin School of Nursing
- Instructor Essentials Online Module (foundational teaching strategies)
- In Person Instructor Training (course delivery, facilitation, skills review)
- Monitored Teaching Session (required within 6 months of hands on training)
Course Fee Includes
- BLS Provider eCard
- BLS Instructor eCard
- Instructor Manual, Provider Manual, and Candidate Workbook
- Instructor Essentials online module
- Alignment and onboarding to Instructor Network & PAM
- Monitoring and curriculum practice
- Monthly paperwork retention support and AHA updates
- Free instructor renewal every 2 years (grandfathered until Jan 1, 2027)
Note: Teaching supplies (videos, manikins, valves, masks, BVMs, feedback devices, etc.) are not included.
Upcoming Courses
Dates:
- Thursday, August 20, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM | NUR 1.106
Location: All courses are held at UT Austin School of Nursing – (View Map)
Parking: Parking is available in Trinity Garage (TRG) and Health Center Garage (HCG) for a fee. TRG and HCG parking validation will be provided. Please bring ticket to main lobby for validation.
Cost:
- $175 – UT Affiliates
- $225 – Non-Profit Organizations
- $325 – Government Contractors
- $400 – Individual
Important Notes:
- Lunch – Lunch will be provided, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available. If you prefer not to eat the provided lunch, please bring your own lunch, snacks, and beverages. Refrigerators and microwaves are available for use.
- Equipment – If you do not have access to training equipment such as manikins and AED trainers, you may need to purchase them in order to teach your own classes.
Course Registration Process
STEP 1 – SIGN UP
Please note that registration is not required at the time of application. Students will be able to register only when they have been formally accepted into the program.
STEP 2 – PAYMENT
Please note that payment is not required at the time of application. Tuition will only be collected once the student has been formally accepted into the training.
UT Affiliates – $175 (Submit Payment)
Non-Profit Organizations – $225 (Submit Payment)
IMPORTANT NOTES
Upon entering the UT School of Nursing building, please be prepared to present your UT ID, driver’s license, or another valid form of identification to the attending security guard for verification. Individuals who do not have or refuse to show identification will not be permitted to attend class. Once your identification has been verified, please sign in on the daily roster, and proceed to the assigned classroom.
*UT School of Nursing reserves the right to cancel a class with less than 5 participants registered. An email will be sent to those on the roster 24 hours before the class is cancelled.
Contact
Please email BLSClasses@nursing.utexas.edu, and we will respond within 24 hours.