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Certification Information

How RECOVER Certification Works

RECOVER veterinary certifications signify one’s knowledge and skills are up to date with current evidence-based guidelines. RECOVER offers certification for veterinary professionals in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) through a 2-step process involving online and in-person training. Certification is maintained by completing the online recertification course every 2 years. Veterinary professionals may also become RECOVER Certified BLS Instructors® and RECOVER Certified ALS Instructors® through an additional certification process.

RECOVER Basic & Advanced Life Support Certification Paths

Online Course Certificates of Completion

Step 1: Complete the online course in RECOVER Basic Life Support

The online course for Basic Life Support contains 5 modules of self-paced interactive digital content that is accessed through a web browser. Participants will complete a knowledge assessment after each module and are required to score over 80% in order to advance to the next module. The course content takes approximately 5 hours to complete.

This Course is for:

  • Veterinary technicians/nurses
  • Non-credentialed veterinary support staff
  • Veterinary students

Note: Enrollment in the BLS/ALS bundle course is encouraged, although the BLS course is available for purchase individually. The ALS course is not required for BLS Rescuer® certification.

Completion Results in:

  • Digital certificate of completion
  • 5 hrs AAVSB RACE CE Credit where AAVSB credit is applicable.

Step 2: Maintenance of Certification Status

  • Successfully complete the online RECOVER CPR BLS Recertification Course every 2 years.
  • If recertification is not completed prior to the 2-year expiration date, you must complete the full BLS course to recertify.

Overview:

Duration: 5 hours
Total Modules: 5
Results:

  • Digital certificate of completion
  • 5 hrs AAVSB RACE CE Credit where AAVSB credit is applicable

Recertify: Every 2 Years

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Step 1: Complete the online course in RECOVER Advanced Life Support

The online course for Advanced Life Support contains 3 modules of self-paced interactive digital content that is accessed through a web browser. Participants will complete a knowledge assessment after each module and are required to score over 80% in order to advance to the next module. The course content takes approximately 3.5 hours to complete.

This Course is for:

  • Veterinarians
  • Veterinary technicians/nurses
  • Non-credentialed veterinary support staff
  • Veterinary students

Note: Enrollment in the BLS/ALS bundle course is encouraged, though the ALS course is available for individual purchase provided that BLS has been completed during the last 2 years.

Prerequisites:

  • Certificate of Completion for Online Course in RECOVER Basic Life Support (BLS)

Completion Results in:

  • Digital certificate of completion
  • 3.5 hrs AAVSB RACE CE Credit where AAVSB credit is applicable

Step 2: Maintenance of Certification Status

  • Successfully complete the online RECOVER CPR ALS Recertification Course every 2 years and successful maintenance of your online BLS course status.
  • If recertification is not completed within the 2-year expiration date, you must complete the full ALS course to recertify.

Overview:

Duration: 3.5 hours
Total Modules: 3
Prerequisites: 

  • Certificate of Completion for Online Course in RECOVER Basic Life Support (BLS)

Results:

  • Digital Certificate of Completion
  • 3.5 hrs AAVSB RACE CE Credit where AAVSB credit is applicable

Recertify: Every 2 Years

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Complete the online CPR Course for Pet Owners & Pet Professionals

The online course for Pet Onwers & Pet Professionals contains one module of self-paced interactive digital content that is accessed through a web browser. Participants will complete a knowledge assessment after the module and are required to score over 80% in order to successfully complete the course. The course content takes approximately 1 hour to complete.

RECOVER CPR for Pets is intended for pet owners and pet professionals who want to be prepared to perform CPR on dogs and cats should the need ever arise.

This Course is for:

  • Pet owners
  • Pet sitters
  • Dog walkers
  • Dog daycare providers
  • Groomers

Completion Results in:

  • Digital certificate of completion

Step 2: Maintenance of Certification Status

  • Successfully complete the online RECOVER CPR ALS Recertification Course every 2 years and successful maintenance of your online BLS course status.
  • If recertification is not completed within the 2-year expiration date, you must complete the full ALS course to recertify.

Overview:

Duration: 1 hour

Results:

  • Digital Certificate of Completion
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RECOVER Certified Rescuer

Step 1: Complete the online course in RECOVER Basic Life Support (as noted above)

Step 2: Obtain Certification as a RECOVER Certified Basic Life Support Rescuer

The in-person RECOVER Certification workshop in BLS is a hands-on workshop held by a RECOVER Certified BLS Instructor® composed of a review of key concepts and practical training using simulated scenarios of performing BLS. The training is approximately 1.5-2 hours long with a practical assessment the participants must pass in order to obtain certification as a RECOVER Certified BLS Rescuer®.

Prerequisites:

  • Certificate of Completion for Online Course in RECOVER Basic Life Support

Workshops: Search for Upcoming Workshops

Completion Results in:

  • Certification as a RECOVER Certified BLS Rescuer®
  • Digital certificate of completion for RECOVER CPR BLS Rescure@ training
  • Digital “RECOVER Certified BLS Rescuer®” badge
  • Qualifying for in-person training in RECOVER Advanced Life Support

Step 3: Maintenance of Certification Status

Successfully complete the online RECOVER CPR BLS Recertification Course every 2 years from date of online course completion.

Overview:

Duration: 1.5 -2 hours

Prerequisites:

  • Certificate of Completion for Online Course in RECOVER Basic Life Support

Results:

  • Certification as a RECOVER Certified BLS Rescuer®
  • Digital certificate of completion for RECOVER CPR BLS Rescure@ training
  • Digital “RECOVER Certified BLS Rescuer®” badge
  • Qualifying for in-person training in RECOVER Advanced Life Support

Recertify: Every 2 Years

Find a Workshop

Step 1: Complete the online course in RECOVER Advanced Life Support (as noted above)

Step 2: Obtain Certification as a RECOVER Certified Advanced Life Support Rescuer

The in-person RECOVER Certification workshop in ALS is a hands-on workshop held by a RECOVER Certified ALS Instructor® composed of a review of key concepts and practical training using simulated scenarios of performing ALS. The simulation is conducted with veterinary specific simulation software coupled with a high fidelity simulator or static mannequin. The training is approximately 4-5 hours long with a practical assessment the participants must pass in order to obtain certification as a RECOVER Certified ALS Rescuer®.

Prerequisites:

  • Certificate of Completion for Online Course in RECOVER Basic Life Support
  • Certificate of Completion for Online Course in RECOVER Advanced Life Support
  • Certification as a RECOVER Certified BLS Rescuer®

Workshops: Search for Upcoming Workshops

Completion Results in:

  • Certification as a RECOVER Certified ALS Rescuer®
  • Digital certificate of completion for RECOVER CPR ALS training
  • Digital “RECOVER Certified ALS Rescuer®” badge
  • Eligibility for certification as a RECOVER certified ALS Instructor®

Step 3: Maintenance of Certification Status

Successfully complete the online RECOVER CPR ALS Recertification Course every 2 years from the date of online course completion.

Overview:

Duration: 4-5 hours

Prerequisites:

  • Certificate of Completion for Online Course in RECOVER Basic Life Support
  • Certificate of Completion for Online Course in RECOVER Advanced Life Support
  • Certification as a RECOVER Certified BLS Rescuer®

Results:

  • Certification as a RECOVER Certified ALS Rescuer®
  • Digital certificate of completion for RECOVER CPR ALS training
  • Digital “RECOVER Certified ALS Rescuer®” badge
  • Eligibility for certification as a RECOVER certified ALS Instructor®

Recertify: Every 2 Years

Find a Workshop

Step 1: Complete the online CPR Course for Pet Owners & Pet Professionals (as noted above)

Step 2: Obtain Certification as a RECOVER Certified Pet Rescuer

Pet CPR Rescuer Workshops are highly interactive, hands-on sessions. Workshops are approximately 2 hours long with topics including assessing an unresponsive pet, performing chest compressions, and seeking emergency care.

Prerequisites:

  • Certificate of Completion for online CPR Course for Pet Owners & Pet Professionals

Workshops: Search for Upcoming Workshops

Completion Results in:

  • Certification as a RECOVER Pet Rescuer®
  • Digital certificate of completion for RECOVER Pet Rescuer training
  • Digital “RECOVER Certified Pet Rescuer®” badge

Overview:

Duration: 2 hours

Prerequisites:

  • Certificate of Completion for online CPR Course for Pet Owners & Pet Professionals

Results:

  • Certification as a RECOVER Pet Rescuer®
  • Digital certificate of completion for RECOVER Pet Rescuer training
  • Digital “RECOVER Certified Pet Rescuer®” badge
Find a Workshop

RECOVER Certified Instructor

Step 1: Certify as a RECOVER Certified BLS Rescuer® and a RECOVER Certified ALS Rescuer®

Step 2: RECOVER BLS & ALS Instructor® Certification

The in-person RECOVER Certification workshop in BLS & ALS instruction is a hands-on workshop held by a RECOVER Certified Training Centers. The training involves pre-workshop coursework and approximately 11 hours of in-person workshop time with a practical assessment the participants must pass in order to obtain certification as a RECOVER Certified BLS & ALS Instructor®.

The BLS instruction portion is composed of a detailed review of BLS concepts, learning of key concepts in simulation-based learning and debriefing, and practical training in conducting RECOVER Certified BLS Rescuer® certification.

The ALS instruction portion is a hands-on workshop held by a RECOVER Certified Training Centers and is composed of a detailed review of ALS concepts, learning of key concepts in simulation-based learning and debriefing, and practical training in conducting RECOVER BLS Rescuer certification.

Prerequisites:

  • Current certificates as a RECOVER Certified BLS Rescuer® and a RECOVER Certified ALS Rescuer®
  • Active license as a veterinarian or credential as a veterinary technician/nurse
  • Teaching experience recommended

Completion Results in:

  • Certification as a RECOVER Certified BLS & ALS Instructor®
  • Digital “RECOVER Certified BLS Instructor®” badge
  • 11 hours AAVSB RACE CE Credit where AAVSB credit is applicable.

Step 3: Maintenance of Certification Status

RECOVER Certified BLS & ALS Instructors® can maintain their instructor certification by meeting all of the following requirements.

  • Conducting at least 2 Rescuer certification workshops within a 2 year period.
  • Staying updated in the Rescuer certification process through update material provided by RECOVER, including the signing of the instructor agreement.
  • Completing online recertification courses every 2 years. Individuals who allow their online courses to lapse will need to start the instructor process over.

Overview:

Duration: 11 hours

Prerequisites:

  • Current certificates as a RECOVER Certified BLS Rescuer® and a RECOVER Certified ALS Rescuer®
  • Active license as a veterinarian or credential as a veterinary technician/nurse
  • Teaching experience recommended

Results:

  • Certification as a RECOVER Certified BLS & ALS Instructor®
  • Digital “RECOVER Certified BLS Instructor®” badge
  • 11 hours AAVSB RACE CE Credit where AAVSB credit is applicable.

Recertify: Every 2 Years

Step 1: Certify as a RECOVER Certified BLS Rescuer®

Step 2: RECOVER Pet CPR Instructor® Certification

This in-person Certification workshop is a 4 hours, hands-on workshop held by RECOVER Certified Training Centers. Participants will learn how to conduct the Pet Rescuer certification course and administer standardized assessments to certify others as Pet Rescuers with basic CPR mannequins and how to deliver the standardized assessments to certify others.

Prerequisites:

  • Current online BLS or BLS Recertification Online Course within last 2 years
  • Current certificate as a RECOVER Certified BLS Rescuer®
  • Active license as a veterinarian or credentialed as a veterinary technician/nurse
  • Teaching experience recommended

Completion Results in:

  • Certification as a RECOVER Certified Pet CPR Instructor®
  • Digital RECOVER Certified Pet CPR Instructor® badge

Step 3: Maintenance of Certification Status

RECOVER Certified BLS & ALS Instructors® can maintain their instructor certification by meeting all of the following requirements.

  • Conducting at least 2 Rescuer certification workshops within a 2 year period.
  • Staying updated in the Rescuer certification process through update material provided by RECOVER, including the signing of the instructor agreement.
  • Completing online recertification courses every 2 years. Individuals who allow their online courses to lapse will need to start the instructor process over.

Overview:

Duration: 4 hours

Prerequisites:

  • Current online BLS or BLS Recertification Online Course within last 2 years
  • Current certificate as a RECOVER Certified BLS Rescuer®
  • Active license as a veterinarian or credentialed as a veterinary technician/nurse
  • Teaching experience recommended

Results:

  • Certification as a RECOVER Certified Pet CPR Instructor®
  • Digital RECOVER Certified Pet CPR Instructor® badge