How long is a BLS renewal course in Toronto?

A BLS (Basic Life Support) renewal course in Toronto takes 3 to 4 hours. It covers high-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants, two-rescuer techniques, bag-valve-mask ventilation, and AED use. There's a written component and a hands-on practical assessment at the end.

How often do I need to renew my BLS in Ontario?

BLS certifications in Ontario are valid for 1 year from the date you complete the course. Healthcare workers — nurses, PSWs, paramedics, dentists, dental hygienists, RTs, and clinical students — typically need to renew annually to stay current with their employer's or college's requirements.

Can I renew my BLS if my card has already expired?

Most agencies require you to take the full BLS course (4–6 hours) rather than the shorter renewal if your card has expired. Some providers will accept you into a renewal class within a short grace period — usually 30 days — but check before booking. The safest approach is to schedule your renewal a month before expiry.

Where can I take BLS renewal in Toronto?

Life Safe runs BLS renewal classes at three Toronto venues: 222 Spadina Ave (Downtown/Chinatown), 1774 Danforth Ave (East York), and 2381 Dundas St W (Junction/Etobicoke). Renewals run regularly throughout the year — see the BLS schedule for current dates.

What's the difference between BLS and CPR Level C?

BLS is the healthcare-provider version of CPR. It includes higher-precision technique, two-rescuer coordination, bag-valve-mask ventilation, and is designed for clinical settings. CPR Level C is the public version — same fundamentals, less complexity. BLS expires after 1 year. CPR Level C lasts 3 years. Your employer or licensing college will tell you which one you need.

Healthcare

BLS Renewal in Toronto: How to Recertify Before Your Card Expires

For nurses, PSWs, paramedics, dentists, RTs, and clinical students — a 3–4 hour refresher that resets the clock.

Quick Answer

BLS renewal in Toronto takes 3–4 hours and runs $49 at Life Safe. You can renew at any of our three Toronto venues — Spadina (Downtown), Danforth (East York), or Dundas West (Junction/Etobicoke). Your card needs to still be valid to take the renewal; once it’s expired, most agencies require the full BLS course again.

Who needs BLS renewal in Toronto?

BLS (Basic Life Support) is the healthcare-provider version of CPR. It’s the standard for:

Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) — required by most Toronto hospitals and clinics
Personal Support Workers (PSWs) — required by most LTC homes and home care agencies
Paramedics, Primary Care Paramedics, ACPs — required for licensure
Dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants — required by the RCDSO and CDHO
Respiratory Therapists (RTs)
Medical, nursing, and dental students for placements
Pharmacists administering injections under expanded scope
Physiotherapists and occupational therapists in clinical settings

If you’re at a Toronto hospital — Sinai, SickKids, Sunnybrook, UHN, St. Mike’s, North York General, Michael Garron — your employer’s standard is BLS, not the public CPR Level C course.

How often does BLS need to be renewed?

BLS is valid for 1 year in Ontario. That’s much shorter than the public CPR Level C course (3 years) because BLS is held to a higher technical standard — clinical performance is expected to stay sharp, so the renewal cycle is annual.

If you’re not sure when yours expires, the date is on the front of your card. If you can’t find your card, your training provider can look it up.

What’s in a BLS renewal class

The renewal is shorter than the full BLS course (4–6 hours) because it assumes you already know the foundation. The 3–4 hours covers:

Updates to current resuscitation guidelines (Heart and Stroke / ILCOR refresh)
High-quality adult, child, and infant CPR — depth, rate, recoil
Two-rescuer CPR coordination and compression-ventilation ratios
Bag-valve-mask ventilation technique
AED use including pediatric pads and special situations
Choking response across age groups
A written knowledge check and a hands-on practical assessment

BLS vs CPR Level C — which do you need?

	BLS	CPR C AED
Audience	Healthcare providers	General public, workplace first aiders
Validity	1 year	3 years
Length (full)	4–6 hours	~4 hours
Length (renewal)	3–4 hours	~4 hours
Two-rescuer technique	Yes	Yes (introduced)
Bag-valve-mask	Yes	No
Used by	Hospitals, clinics, EMS	Workplaces, parents, coaches

If your employer or licensing college doesn’t specify, ask. The wrong card might be valid for years but still not meet your clinical requirement.

What if your card is already expired?

Most BLS agencies require you to take the full 4–6 hour BLS course rather than the renewal once your card has expired. Some providers will accept you into a renewal within a 30-day grace period — call before you book to confirm. Plan ahead: a calendar reminder 60 days before expiry is the easiest fix.

Where to take BLS renewal in Toronto

Life Safe runs BLS Renewal at all three Toronto venues:

Downtown / Chinatown — 222 Spadina Ave (close to UHN, St. Mike’s, Mount Sinai)
East York — 1774 Danforth Ave (close to Michael Garron, Toronto East)
Junction / Etobicoke — 2381 Dundas St W (close to St. Joseph’s, Runnymede Healthcare)

Bring your current BLS card (the one expiring), your ID, and comfortable clothes. The whole thing is done in a single half-day session.

Renew your BLS in Toronto

$49, 3–4 hours, three venues, certified through the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Book BLS Renewal

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does BLS renewal take?

3–4 hours, single session. The full BLS course (if your card has expired) is 4–6 hours.

How often do I renew?

Annually. BLS is valid for 1 year in Ontario.

Can I renew if my card has expired?

Usually no — you’d take the full course again. Some providers allow a 30-day grace period; call to confirm.

Where in Toronto?

Spadina (Downtown), Danforth (East York), or Dundas West (Junction/Etobicoke).