How long is a CPR Level C course in Ontario?

A CPR Level C with AED course in Ontario typically runs about 4 hours, including instruction, hands-on manikin practice, AED training, and a practical assessment. Most providers schedule it as a single half-day session, either morning or afternoon.

How long is the Standard First Aid course?

Standard First Aid with CPR C AED is approximately 14 hours of instruction. Most providers split it into two consecutive days of about 7 hours each, although some offer it as a single intensive day or across two evenings. The Emergency First Aid version covers core skills in a shorter format — typically 6.5 to 8 hours in one day.

How long does BLS for healthcare providers take?

Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers typically takes 4 to 6 hours for a full course and 3 to 4 hours for renewal. BLS covers high-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants, two-rescuer techniques, bag-valve-mask ventilation, and AED use. It's the standard for nurses, paramedics, dentists, and other clinical staff.

Course Info

How Long Is a CPR Course?

Course length depends on which one you take. Here’s the honest breakdown.

Quick Answer

A CPR Level C course in Ontario takes about 4 hours. Standard First Aid with CPR is around 14 hours, usually split over two days. Emergency First Aid with CPR is a single day, roughly 6.5–8 hours. BLS for healthcare workers is 4–6 hours. Online-only CPR can be done in 1–2 hours but doesn’t satisfy WSIB workplace requirements.

The short version

Most people asking “how long is a CPR course” are really asking one of two things: how much time do I need to block off this weekend or which course fits the requirement my employer gave me. Here’s the answer to both at once.

Course	Total time	Format	Best for
CPR C AED	~4 hours	Half-day, single session	General public, parents, gym staff
Emergency First Aid + CPR C	6.5–8 hours	One full day	Small workplaces (1–5 workers)
Standard First Aid + CPR C	~14 hours	Two consecutive days	Workplaces of 6+, daycare staff, the most common cert
BLS (Basic Life Support)	4–6 hours	Single session	Nurses, paramedics, dentists, healthcare students
Standard First Aid Recert	~8 hours	One day	Renewing an unexpired card
BLS Renewal	3–4 hours	Half-day	Healthcare workers renewing annually

Why CPR Level C is the shortest

CPR Level C focuses on one skill set: chest compressions, rescue breaths, AED use, and choking response — for adults, children, and infants. It doesn’t include the broader first aid material on bleeding, burns, fractures, seizures, or environmental injuries. Four hours is enough to teach the technique, let everyone practise on a manikin, and run the practical assessment.

Life Safe’s CPR C AED course is $35 and runs every week across our Ontario locations.

Why Standard First Aid is two days

Standard First Aid covers everything in CPR Level C, plus a wide range of first aid scenarios — wound care, broken bones, head and spine injuries, medical emergencies (heart attack, stroke, diabetes), poisoning, environmental injuries (heat, cold, drowning), and how to manage a casualty until EMS arrives. There’s a lot of content, and most of it requires hands-on practice.

Splitting it over two days gives your brain a chance to consolidate the material overnight. Some providers offer it as one long day, but the two-day format is the most common.

Why BLS is short but intense

BLS is the version of CPR used by healthcare professionals. It assumes you already understand the anatomy and physiology and focuses on high-performance technique: depth and rate of compressions measured precisely, two-rescuer coordination, ventilation with a bag-valve-mask, and integration with an AED. It’s shorter than a public CPR course but more demanding.

What about online courses?

You can complete an online-only CPR course in 1 to 2 hours. The catch: it can’t certify you for any workplace that follows Ontario Regulation 1101, because WSIB approval requires hands-on assessment with a qualified instructor.

Blended courses are a good middle ground. You do the theory online at your own pace (usually 2–4 hours), then attend a shorter in-person practical session (3–4 hours) for skills assessment. The certificate is fully WSIB-approved.

How to choose

If your employer told you a specific course name, follow that. If you’re picking for yourself, the two most common answers are:

Just want CPR for personal preparedness? Take the 4-hour CPR Level C.
Need it for a workplace? Almost certainly Standard First Aid with CPR C (the two-day course).

See live course times in your city

Life Safe runs courses every week in Toronto, Welland, Guelph, and Hamilton. Pick a date that fits your schedule.

View Course Schedule

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do CPR training online in 1 hour?

Online-only courses exist but don’t satisfy WSIB workplace requirements. Blended online + in-person courses do qualify and total around 5–7 hours.

Is Standard First Aid really two full days?

Usually yes — about 14 hours total, most often split over two days. Some providers compress it into a single long day or two evenings.

How long does BLS take compared to CPR Level C?

BLS runs 4–6 hours; CPR Level C runs about 4. BLS is more intensive because it’s designed for clinical practice with two-rescuer coordination and bag-valve-mask use.

How long is a recertification course?

SFA recert ~8 hours, CPR C recert ~4 hours, BLS renewal 3–4 hours. Only available while your current card is still valid.