CPR Certification for Occupational Therapists in Chicago — BLS for Illinois OTs & OTAs

Yes — virtually all Illinois employers require occupational therapists to hold current CPR or BLS certification. Hospital-based OTs, rehab center OTs, and SNF therapists almost always need AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers. School-based and community OTs may be able to use CPR + First Aid. Check with your employer or the Illinois OT licensure board.

Hospital-based, rehab center, and SNF occupational therapists need AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers. This covers CPR for all ages, AED use, bag-mask ventilation, and team resuscitation. School-based and community OTs who do not work in acute care settings may be able to use CPR + First Aid. Check with your employer to confirm requirements.

NBCOT does not specifically require BLS for certification maintenance, but most Illinois OT employers require it as a condition of employment. Illinois OT licensure renewal may also require documentation of current CPR certification depending on your practice setting. AHA BLS is the most widely accepted certification.

AHA BLS certification is valid for 2 years from the issue date. Most Illinois OT employers require therapists to maintain current certification at all times. We recommend renewing 60 days before expiration to avoid any gaps in compliance or employment eligibility.

Yes — we specialize in on-site BLS training for hospital OT departments, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics throughout Chicago and the suburbs. We bring all manikins and AED trainers to your facility and can certify your entire OT team in a single session.

BLS for Healthcare Providers is $85 (initial) or $65 (renewal). Group rates for OT departments start at $75 per person for teams of 6 or more. On-site training has no additional travel fee within the Chicago metro area. CPR + First Aid is $95–$145.

Yes — virtually all OT programs in Illinois require current BLS certification before students can begin Level I or Level II fieldwork. This includes programs at Rush University, Midwestern University, and other Illinois OT schools. We offer student-friendly scheduling with same-day cards.

Yes — our AHA BLS for Healthcare Provider cards are issued directly by the American Heart Association and accepted by every Illinois hospital, rehabilitation center, SNF, and healthcare system. Cards are valid for 2 years and recognized nationwide.

No — AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers covers CPR for adults, children, and infants in a single course. Both pediatric and adult OTs take the same BLS course. The course includes pediatric-specific techniques that are relevant for OTs working with children.

While BLS follows a standardized AHA curriculum, our instructors with clinical experience emphasize scenarios relevant to OT practice: cardiac events during ADL training, falls during transfer practice, choking during feeding therapy, and emergency response in outpatient gym settings.