You’re a Certified CPR Instructor… Now What?

#americanheartassociation #businessstart #cpr #cprtraining #sidegig #sidehustle Jun 17, 2025

You completed your CPR instructor course.
You passed the exams, sat through the training, and earned that shiny new instructor card.
You’re ready to teach, save lives, and maybe even start your own business.

And then…

Crickets.

No students.
No classes.
No help.

Suddenly, you’re not feeling so certified.
You’re feeling stuck.

The CPR Instructor Struggle Is Real

What most people don’t talk about is what happens after you become a certified CPR instructor.

There’s no official roadmap.
No built-in support system.
No one to help you figure out the nuts and bolts like:

How do you organize and run your first class?
Where do you order cards and materials?
What’s the proper way to complete paperwork?
How do you market your services to actually get students?
And — oh yeah — how do you pay for all of this when you haven’t booked your first class?

The Start-Up Costs Can Feel Crippling

Let’s talk about the money, because that’s where the struggle really begins.

💸 Instructor courses alone often range between $300 to $600 per discipline (BLS, ACLS, PALS, etc.).
💸 You’ll need training equipment:

CPR manikins ($100–$800+ each)
AED trainers ($150–$500+)
Face shields, lung bags, cleaning supplies, and carry bags

💸 Add in required materials like:

Instructor manuals
Student workbooks
Course DVDs or digital media

💸 Then there’s admin:

A Training Center (TC) alignment (some charge monthly or per card)
Office supplies
Printing certificates
File storage, tracking rosters, remediation forms

💸 Oh, and let’s not forget marketing:

Business cards
A website
Social media ads
Flyers
Maybe even space rental if you don’t have a dedicated training room

Before you’ve even taught your first class, you could easily be $2,000–$4,000 deep.
That’s a tough pill to swallow for something that’s supposed to be “just a side hustle.”

The Hidden Drop-Off Rate

Here’s a sobering stat:
🔻 Over 50% of new CPR instructors quit within the first year due to a lack of support, clarity, and business knowledge.

They didn’t fail because they were bad instructors.
They failed because no one showed them what to do next.

But Here’s the Good News: CPR Training Can Be Hugely Profitable

🔥 Once you get past the messy, overwhelming beginning, a CPR instructor business can be:

Flexible
Purpose-driven
And, yes, profitable

Let’s break down some numbers:

➡️ Teach a BLS class to a group of 8 students at $75/person = $600 in 2-3 hours
➡️ Teach ACLS or PALS? That’s $200–$300+ per student
➡️ Offer group rates for dental offices, clinics, or childcare centers — and you’re making $1,000–$2,000/day or more

With low overhead per class, you can break even quickly and start building consistent income.
And once you start marketing smart and build recurring client relationships?
💥 It becomes a real business — not just a gig.

So What Can You Do When You’re Just Starting Out?

1. Get Organized Before You Get Overwhelmed
Create a checklist for classes: manikins, cards, rosters, tests, evaluation forms, etc. Use tools like Google Drive or Dropbox for digital filing.

2. Join an Instructor Community
You are not alone. Connect with other instructors online, join Facebook groups, or find a mentor who can walk you through the paperwork and policies. https://www.facebook.com/groups/cprbusinessbootcamp

3. Learn Business Skills
You’re not just teaching — you’re running a business. Invest time in learning marketing, pricing strategy, customer service, and online tools.

4. Start Small, Then Scale
You don’t need 10 manikins on day one. Start with what you need for a small class and grow from there. Offer private trainings, mobile CPR classes, or even virtual prep sessions.

5. Stay the Course
It’s frustrating at first, but those who stay in the game win. The instructors who figure it out, get visible, and stay consistent are the ones making 5–6 figures from CPR training alone.

You’re Not Just Teaching CPR — You’re Building a Life-Saving Business

Starting as a CPR instructor is hard.
It’s confusing, expensive, and often lonely.

But that certification card in your wallet? It’s not the end — it’s the beginning.
You now hold the power to train life-savers, support healthcare teams, and empower everyday people to act in an emergency.

If you’re just starting out, hang in there.
If you’re in the messy middle, keep going.
Because the impact — and the income — is worth it.

Need Help Getting Started?

If you’re a new CPR instructor looking for step-by-step support, marketing tips, and community, check out [Insert your CPR Instructor support program/course].
Let’s turn your certification into a successful business.

Ready to turn crickets into clients? 🫀 Stay the course — your CPR journey is just beginning.

✅ Optional Data Source:

According to the American Heart Association and Training Centers, more than 20 million people are trained in CPR each year — and that number is growing. CPR instructors play a critical role in that number, yet over half of new instructors don’t teach a single class in their first 6 months.

NEED COMMUNITY AND HELP- FROM OTHER CPR INSTRUCTORS

Join our Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cprbusinessbootcamp