Authorization Process

Certification occurs when an instructor candidate successfully completes the instructor specialty course and is issued an Instructor Certificate signed by the instructor candidate and the instructor trainer. The candidate’s signature on the Instructor Certificate indicates his or her willingness to conduct courses according to the requirements and procedures established by the American Red Cross. The certification of an instructor indicates that all requirements have been met on the date that the instructor candidate completes the instructor specialty course.

After successful completion of an instructor course, the new instructor must be authorized by a chapter to teach the applicable courses within its jurisdiction. Before an instructor can teach, the new instructor and a chapter official must sign the Instructor Agreement. Certified instructors may not teach until they have received authorization from a chapter. To obtain authorization to teach, the instructor should contact the chapter directly to arrange for authorization.

The chapter that initially authorizes an instructor to teach is the instructor’s unit of authorization (home chapter). The instructor’s unit of authorization is responsible for providing the instructor with information on chapter-specific policies and procedures and is responsible for reauthorization of the instructor. If an instructor wants to teach in another chapter’s jurisdiction, he or she must notify that chapter prior to any teaching and obtain extended authorization from that chapter. If an instructor teaches in another jurisdiction, it is his or her responsibility to provide copies of the Course Record to his or her unit of authorization.

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