First Aid and CPR Certification

What is required and why?

Beginning on July 1, 2004, any individual seeking initial teacher certification must successfully complete a course in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and hold valid certification in these topics. No teacher preparation institutions will be able to recommend any teacher candidate for certification without assuring that this requirement for certification has been met. As a result, all candidates for initial (Provisional) certification graduating after May 2004 at Hope College will have to meet this requirement.

How can I get certified?

In order to assist individuals to meet this requirement, Hope College has arranged to provide the American Red Cross First Aid & CPR course once each semester. The resulting certificates will be valid for a period of two (2) years. You can sign up for the current semester training session by filling out the First Aid and CPR Training Registration Form.

If you are unable to register for one of the sessions offered through Hope College, you will need to find the training elsewhere. Training must be provided by a Michigan Department of Education approved agency and result in certification in First Aid and CPR (Adult and Child). A list of approved agencies can be found on the Michigan Department of Education website.

What if I’m already certified?

For individuals who are currently certified in First Aid and CPR (Adult & Child), credentials may be updated by taking recertification courses offered by a Michigan Department of Education approved agency. A list of approved agencies can be found on the Michigan Department of Education website.

How do I let the college know I’ve been certified?

Each individual applying for the initial (Provisional) teaching certificate in Michigan, must submit his/her original course completion cards/certificates (which will be copied at the Education Department office) at the time of application for initial teacher certification. These cards/certificates must be valid at the time of processing the recommendation for certification to the Michigan Department of Education.

NOTE: Students who complete CPR and First Aid certification through one of the Hope College on-campus sessions need not submit their certificates to the Education office. Copies will be made before the certificates are issued directly to the student.

What if I am physically unable to obtain this certificate?

For an individual with physical limitations that “make it impracticable for the person to complete the instruction and obtain the required certification,” the state has provided provisions to excuse such individuals from this requirement. These requests will need to be approved by Dr. Sara Hoeve, director of student teaching and teacher certification, in the Department of Education at Hope College (616.395.7733 or hoeve@hope.edu).

What if I still have questions?

Questions may be directed to Dr. Sara Hoeve, director of student teaching and teacher certification, in the Department of Education at Hope College (616.395.7733 or hoeve@hope.edu).