How to become a BLS instructor?

I'd like to become one. (AHA preferably). I know that there is an instructor certification course. What does that involve? Can anyone take it or do you have to apply somehow? Any information on the process would be great, thanks.
Most cities have CPR traning centers in them. They're usually located in hospitals or schools. Just call them and ask for their CPR traning center and ask them when the next instructor class is. Hope this helps!!

Contact your local Americal Heart Association or American Red Cross & they will tell you what you need to do.

Call the Education Dept. of the local hospital(s). They probably have someone who teaches the course regularly and can get you in a class.

AHA has designated instructor trainers through their organization. It is not difficult to become an instructor, but it can be expensive to practice on your own. I was a BLS instructor for 15 years, and used to assist with classes where I worked as well as do the occassional class or private lesson on my own. I finally let my instructor certification lapse when it began to cost me more to keep the certification than I was making on the few classes I was doing. But I really enjoyed teaching, and would have kept doing it had it not become so expensive to do it on my own. It just wasn't cost effective for as few classes as I was doing on my own. Maybe 10 years ago, AHA decentralized its system for instructors and began requiring that all instructors be affilated with a 'teaching center'. That was no problem, but teaching centers require annual fees for affilation, plus the cost for cards for the students. AHA requires that you provide certain materials to each student, and that you have specific AHA materials for teaching. It can also cost quite a bit to renew your instructor certification. It used to be if you taught a certain number of classes during the two year period, you could renew your certification without taking another class. That changed a few years back -- not sure what the situation is now. Never taught for Red Cross, but my understanding is that they do not allow the instuctors certified through them the autonomy that AHA instructors have.Do a google search for 'BLS instructor training'. You'll get lots of leads.

HI there... my question is.. after becoming certified will I be able to work independantly for myself or will I be "employeed" by the training center??

Quote from NurseMercedesHI there... my question is.. after becoming certified will I be able to work independantly for myself or will I be "employeed" by the training center??