How to Start a First Aid Training Business

A first aid training center offers instruction and certification in first aid and related skills. This includes AED (Automated External Defibrillator), first aid, blood-borne pathogens, CPR (including pediatric), and instructor training.

Whether in the classroom, at the grocery store, or on a job site, there’s always the potential that someone could need immediate, life saving medical assistance. Many SCA victims require defibrillation within 4 minutes of an attack, yet it takes emergency medical personnel 8-12 minutes to arrive after an emergency call is placed. Your assistance in training individuals and workplace teams will, undoubtedly, save someone’s life.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? We recommend forming an LLC as it is the most affordable way to protect your personal assets. You can do this yourself or with our trusted partner for a small fee.

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

DIY: How to Start an LLC

Start a first aid training business by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your First Aid Training Business
  2. Form your First Aid Training Business into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your First Aid Training Business for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your First Aid Training Business
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your First Aid Training Business
  7. Get First Aid Training Business Insurance
  8. Define your First Aid Training Business Brand
  9. Create your First Aid Training Business Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your first aid training business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our First Aid Training Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a first aid training business?

You’ll first need to write a business plan that outlines how you plan to structure the school. Will you offer a neutral classroom setting or would you rather travel to your students, working out of your client’s conference rooms? If your vision includes a classroom, the first thing you’ll need to do is find an office space and sign a lease.

Regardless of where you intend to instruct, there are a few items you’ll need to invest in:

  • Mannequins: adult, child and infant – $1,800 for a classroom pack
  • AED training kits – $1,800 – $3,000
  • Accompanying safety and training supplies – $1,000
  • Marketing materials, including a comprehensive and interactive website, business cards, and brochures – $10,000 – $15,000
  • Learning management system, such as Otis Learning Management System, which will help manage everything from administrative duties to organizing your class material

What are the ongoing expenses for a first aid training business?

Ongoing expenses include printing of marketing materials, brochures, and classroom material, as well as sustained website maintenance. Since part of your day will be spent traveling meet with prospective customers and for off-premises classes, regular maintenance and fuel costs should be allocated for in your monthly budget. If you have a physical location, you’ll also face the standard overhead costs of rent and utilities.

Who is the target market?

Your customers are anyone in need of certification. This ranges from teenagers looking to babysit, to teachers and coaches, as well as warehousing and distribution companies. Many expecting parents now include pediatric CPR training in their baby preparation strategy.

Before building a marketing strategy, conduct research to determine if there are any specific groups of professionals you should be targeting. Find out what kind of training your area is lacking and what courses are already being taught. Knowing who needs your courses and what their unique needs are offers insight into how courses should be designed and who you should market to.

How does a first aid training business make money?

Your first aid training school generates revenue for every individual scheduled for each class. Many trainers offer both in class and online courses, depending upon the class and how much hands-on experience is needed.

How much can you charge customers?

Instructor led classes range anywhere from $70 to $300, depending upon the course and location. Proficient instructors certify approximately 150 students per month.

How much profit can a first aid training business make?

While it will take some time to build your business, successful businesses that focus on teaching first-aid training have the potential to realize a profit of more than $100,000 annually.

How can you make your business more profitable?

The following are a few strategies you can implement to ensure a more profitable business:

  • Offer refresher/recertification courses at a discounted price to ensure student retention.
  • For classes that don’t require hands-on experience, offer online classes.
  • Consumers have become reliant on accessing videos for just about everything. Consider offering videos for those in need.
  • Include training courses for instructors. You’ll realize a greater profit and you might just find your next team member along the way.
  • Partner up with your local hospitals. Their employees are required to take a certain number of hours to renew their license and many offer CPR and first-aid courses for their patients as well.
  • Offer additional classes geared toward workplace safety, team building, and specialized first aid techniques.
  • Offer inspection services for local businesses. Tour their facility and offer advice regarding how their first aid program could be improved.
  • Focus on courses that can be taught at the customer’s workplace to keep cost per student down and business volume up.
  • There are few franchising opportunities out there, so consider set up a franchise as your business starts to grow.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your first aid training business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your first aid training business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We’ve negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a CPR training business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Certificate of Occupancy

A clothing boutique may be run out of a physical location instead of online. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

  • If you plan to lease a location:
    • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
    • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a CPR instruction business.
    • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.

Liability Waiver

It is advisable to provide individuals seeking first aid training with informed consent agreements to decrease legal liability and encourage transparency.

  • More information on informed consent agreements can be found here.

Services Agreement

A first-aid training business should provide students with a service agreement, which should outline the techniques students will learn, the price of the class, and whether or not students will be certified after training. If you do plan to offer certification, you will need to earn a first-aid instructor’s certification through a program like the Red Cross’.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your First Aid Training Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for First Aid Training Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a first aid training business

One of your most valued investments will be your website. While this can set you back tens of thousands of dollars, it’s not a part of your budget you want to skimp on. Your clients should be able to contact you, sign up for classes, and gain access to the information they need regarding the services you offer. If you plan to offer online classes, the site should have the capability of handling that as well.

Once your website is built, consider publishing a blog regularly and sharing it on social media sites. If your material is informative and well thought-out, readers will share the blog, allowing you to reach a broader audience and attracting more prospective students.

Unlike many businesses of today, brochures will still be an integral part of your marketing strategy. The advantages of traditional advertising techniques like ads in business publications and on television will also prove beneficial. Your strongest marketing technique, however, will be in personal visits to HR departments, hospitals, etc. Many large organizations require that members of their workforce and key personnel maintain various safety certifications to ensure industry compliance. Don’t assume they already have someone caring for their needs; be prepared to show them why your school is a step above the rest.

How to keep customers coming back

Most certifications require recertification every two years, offering you a unique opportunity to build a strong customer base of repeat students. Retain these clients by offering consistently high quality service, instruction, and training material at a competitive price.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and thrive on helping others, owning a first aid training school is a profitable and rewarding career. Those who enjoy working with and around others, as well as communicating to an audience, are ideal for this career.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a first aid training business?

While not a requirement, most owners enter the “classroom” and teach the courses they offer. Your first aid training business will also involve a number of other activities to keep you busy throughout the day.

Most days will include the following activities:

  • Marketing your business
  • Attending additional certification classes to ensure your school is on top of the latest changes in first aid
  • Answering the telephone and emails
  • Scheduling upcoming classes
  • Updating and maintaining student records and issuing certificates for offered courses

At least weekly, you’ll also need to restock inventory/supplies for classes and pay any unpaid invoices.

Once you’ve built a team, you can delegate the administrative duties to your staff. This will allow you to shift your focus towards managing your team and maintaining your marketing strategy.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful first aid training business?

Even if you don’t plan to take on the role of instructor, it’s a good idea to obtain certifications on each subject you plan to offer, as well as the instructor certification. The American Red Cross and the American Heart Association both offer well-structured courses. You might even want to attend a few different schools. This would offer valuable insight into various instructor methods and how different target groups respond.

One skill this profession requires is speaking in front of large groups of people with finesse. You’ll be required to speak confidently about what your school offers over the competition, and offer details to back it up.

Running a successful first aid training business isn’t just about being in the classroom. It requires commitment and strong business management skills. You’ll need to be patient and educated in a variety of different teaching methods so that each of your employees and students walk away with the knowledge and skills they’re seeking.

What is the growth potential for a first aid training business?

Whether you envision a small school, with you as the only instructor, or wish to lead multiple instructors, ultimately offering franchise opportunities, the opportunities are there. More information is learned every day about the intricacies of the human body, as well as on-the-job safety, ensuring this is a career that will always be in demand.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a first aid training business?

  • Purchase an existing first aid training school. This will help ensure a shorter time to realize a return on your investment.
  • Work at the American Red Cross prior to starting your own school to get a feel for the industry.
  • Make sure your school is OSHA-compliant and approved by multiple state and federal agencies, such as state emergency medical services departments, educational boards, and the U.S. Department of Labor.
  • If speaking in front of people isn’t one of your strengths, take a public speaking course at your local college.

How and when to build a team

You can grow a successful business, whether you decide to be the only instructor, or hire a team. Whichever route you take, consider hiring an attorney and an accountant to assist you in navigating through the intricacies and compliance standards of owning such a business.

If and when you decide to grow your team, keep in mind who your audience is. Professionals who have left the boardroom to learn in your classroom are more apt to respect a teacher who is older and wiser. Team members who are experienced in various classroom techniques and interacting with different social and professional classes will more effectively convey the material.

Useful Links

Real World Examples

Further Reading