Updated April 2026

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CPR and AED training are no longer something students might happen to learn along the way. In Minnesota, public school districts are required to provide one-time CPR and AED instruction for students in grades 7 through 12 as part of the curriculum. That requirement has been in place since the 2014-2015 school year, and the law specifically calls for a hands-on component, not just watching a video or hearing a lecture. Students do not have to earn a certification card to meet the school requirement, but they do need real instruction and practice.

That matters because students are often nearby when emergencies happen, whether at school, at home, at practice, or in public. CPR training gives them the confidence to step in during those first critical minutes before EMS arrives. A short, well-run class can teach students how to recognize cardiac arrest, start compressions, and use an AED. It is a practical skill, and in the right moment, it can mean the difference between waiting for help and becoming the help.

Why this matters right now

When a cardiac emergency happens, time matters. Survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is still heavily tied to whether someone nearby starts CPR right away. The biggest problem is often hesitation. People freeze because they are afraid of doing it wrong or assume someone else will step in. Teaching CPR in schools helps close that gap by giving young people a skill they can carry for life.

Minnesota’s school-based CPR training law was built around that exact idea: make basic life-saving instruction a normal part of education instead of a specialized skill only a few people learn. It is one of the simplest ways to build a stronger emergency response culture in communities across the state.

What is changing in 2026

Minnesota lawmakers are also looking at expanding that same readiness to athletics. In the current legislative session, SF 3548 would require middle school and high school coaches and assistant coaches employed by a district or charter school to obtain and maintain CPR and AED training. As introduced, the bill says that requirement would begin in the 2027-2028 school year. So this is not yet a current statewide mandate for coaches, but it is a real proposal moving through the legislative process.

That proposal makes sense. Coaches and school staff are often the adults closest to student-athletes during intense physical activity, and they may be the first ones expected to respond if something goes wrong. Training them in CPR and AED use would strengthen the same safety net Minnesota has already started building for students.

How schools can meet the requirement

For schools, this does not have to be complicated. The law requires instruction, but it leaves room for districts to decide how to deliver it. Some schools bring in outside trainers for a single-day session. Others use a combination of classroom instruction, video-based learning, and hands-on practice with manikins. The key is making sure students get actual psychomotor practice rather than passive exposure.

As a local American Heart Association Training Center, we help Minnesota schools meet these requirements with flexible options that work around busy schedules. That can include on-site training, staff development, and full certification courses for students or employees who want more than the minimum required instruction.

FAQ

Is the school CPR requirement still in effect in 2026?
Yes. Minnesota law still requires school districts to provide one-time CPR and AED instruction for students in grades 7 through 12.

Do students need certification to graduate?
Not necessarily. The statute says schools must provide the instruction, but it also says the training does not need to result in CPR certification.

What about coaches?
As of April 2026, coach CPR/AED training is the subject of pending legislation, not a final statewide requirement yet. The current bill would apply beginning with the 2027-2028 school year if enacted.

What is Minnesota’s Good Samaritan protection?
Minnesota law includes Good Samaritan protections for people who provide emergency assistance in good faith at the scene of an emergency. The statute is part of Minnesota law on providing assistance in emergencies.

 

Sources

1. Minnesota Graduation Mandate (Current Law)

• Source: Minnesota Statute § 120B.236 (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automatic External Defibrillator Instruction).
• Fact: Confirms that since the 2014-15 school year, Minnesota public and charter schools must provide one-time CPR/AED instruction to students in grades 7–12.
• 2025/26 Amendment: Recently updated to explicitly include the Health and Safety Institute (HSI) as an approved curriculum provider alongside the AHA and Red Cross.

2. 2026 Legislative Focus (New Coach Requirement)

• Source: Minnesota Senate File 3548 (SF 3548) / House File 3784 (HF 3784).
• Fact: This bipartisan legislation, active as of March/April 2026, mandates that all high school and middle school athletic coaches and assistants must be trained and maintain current certification in CPR and AED use.
• Context: The bill was authored by Senator Bonnie Westlin and received unanimous support from the Senate Education Policy Committee.

3. Medical Statistics and Survival Rates

• Source: American Heart Association (AHA) 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update.
• Fact: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survival remains a major challenge, but the AHA confirms that immediate bystander CPR can double or triple the chance of survival.
• Source: AHA Newsroom (February 2026 Release): “CPR skills prepare communities to save lives when seconds matter.”

4. Local Workplace Compliance

• Source: Minnesota Good Samaritan Law (Statute 604A.01).
• Fact: Provides legal protection for bystanders (including students and coaches) who provide emergency assistance in good faith, which is a critical part of the educational curriculum for schools.

5. Student Involvement Data

• Source: Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) 2025-2026 Participation Report.
• Fact: Cited in legislative testimony, showing that over 230,000 Minnesota students participate in sports, highlighting the impact of the new coaching mandate.