Online first aid courses

Maryland adopts the federal OSHA first-aid rule (29 CFR 1910.151(b)) by reference through COMAR 09.12.31: there is no fixed ratio of first-aiders to workers, but absent a nearby clinic or hospital, employers must keep one or more persons adequately trained to render first aid, commensurate with workplace hazards. Enforcement is by Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH).

Maryland childcare licensing (COMAR 13A.16.10.02), administered by the State Department of Education's Office of Child Care, requires at least one child care teacher or the director certified in first aid and CPR present at all times, with one certified staff member per 20 children in centers over 20 capacity. Online courses are accepted.

Under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-603, a person is not civilly liable for assistance or medical care rendered without fee at the scene of an emergency, in transit, or through communication with emergency personnel, provided the act is not gross negligence. The statute protects trained and untrained AED users, and immunity is lost for gross negligence.

The Maryland Board of Nursing requires 30 contact hours every two years (or 1,000 practice hours or an approved degree within five years), and approved CPR, ACLS or PALS courses awarding contact hours can contribute toward this continuing education. BLS is in practice an employer and hospital requirement rather than a licence condition.

Maryland assisted living regulations (COMAR 10.07.14) require managers and staff to hold basic CPR (with a hands-on component) and basic first-aid certification from a nationally recognized organization so a trained responder is always on site. A recognized, up-to-date certificate meets this standard and must be renewed periodically.

In Maryland, resource (foster) parents complete pre-service training and a minimum of continuing training each year under the foster care regulations (COMAR 07.05.02), administered by the Department of Human Services, and first-aid and CPR readiness is commonly expected of caregivers. Where required, a recognized, up-to-date certificate must be kept current, in addition to the home study and suitability assessment.

Online CPR and first aid training is recognized in Maryland for personal, childcare licensing, and employer requirements, with no explicit ban for the workplace requirement, though OSHA recommends a hands-on skills-demonstration component. Certification is valid for two years and is built on the ILCOR 2025 Consensus on Science.