American Heart Association Instructor training consists of three steps: Step One: The Instructor candidate takes the self-directed online Instructor Essentials course in his or her chosen discipline. Instructors candidates must complete the online Instructor Essentials course which contains information that new instructors need in order to teach American Heart Association courses effectively. The Instructor Essentials course includes approximately 30 minutes of general information about teaching American Heart Association courses, with the remainder of the presentation focused on discipline-specific information. Upon successful completion of the Essentials Course instructor candidates can print a certificate of completion and must bring a copy of the certificate and a copy of the front back of their current CPR card to the instructor class.

Step Two: The Instructor candidate takes the faculty-led, classroom-based Instructor course in his or her chosen discipline. Topics covered in class include AHA policies and procedures, course structure and administration, breakdown of course of what instructors can teach, how to skills test, remediation, equipment decontamination, and additional material.

Step Three: The instructor candidate is evaluated/monitored teaching their first class in their chosen discipline. Upon successful completion of all steps, candidates receive an Instructor card, valid for two years.