The Critical Role of School Staff in Emergencies

When it comes to the safety of students, every second counts. A sudden cardiac emergency can happen to anyone, anywhere, and the school environment is no exception. This is why having staff trained in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is absolutely crucial.

In Texas, the state has clearly defined laws on school safety, including specific requirements for emergency response training. However, there’s a common misconception that all Texas teachers must be CPR certified. The reality is more nuanced. The Texas Education Code (TEC) is very specific about which educators need to be certified, which must simply be offered instruction, and what students must learn.

As an educator, administrator, or concerned parent, it’s vital to know the precise legal mandates. This blog will walk you through the state’s requirements, explain who needs to be certified, and help you understand your school district’s responsibilities. We’ll be breaking down the statutes to ensure you have the most factual and easy-to-digest information.

Does Texas Law Require All Teachers to Maintain CPR Certification?

The short answer is no, state law does not mandate that every single classroom teacher in Texas must maintain an active CPR and AED certification.

The Texas Education Agency does not make this a universal requirement for professional educator licensure. This is one of the most significant points of confusion regarding the requirements for Texas Educators. The ultimate requirement for general classroom teachers is often determined by the individual school district, not the state.

However, the state legislature has passed laws that place a significant burden on school districts to ensure training and resources are readily available. This distinction between “must be certified” and “must be offered instruction” is the core of the state’s legal framework.

Don’t wait for an emergency to learn these critical skills. Find a high-quality, certified CPR and AED class near you today!

See All Available Locations for CPR Classes

What is the State’s General Mandate for School Districts?

The Texas Education Code TEC 22.902 requires that a school district must annually make available to all district employees and volunteers instruction in:

• The principles and techniques of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• The proper use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

This means the district is responsible for offering the training. It does not mean every employee must take it, nor does it mean every participant must leave with a certification card, unless their specific role is listed below.

Which Specific School Staff Must Be CPR and AED Certified by Law?

While the state doesn’t mandate certification for all teachers, it is absolutely required for staff whose roles involve a higher risk of physical activity or direct health responsibility. These mandates are codified in the Texas Education Code (TECS 33.086 and S 22.902).

The following personnel must receive and maintain certification in both CPR and the use of an AED from a nationally recognized association (like the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross):

• School Nurses
• Assistant School Nurses
• Athletic Coaches or Sponsors
• Physical Education Instructors
• Head Directors of a School Marching Band
• Cheerleading Coaches or Chief Sponsors
• Any student who serves as an Athletic Trainer

Why are these roles singled out?

These positions are identified as those most likely to be present when a student or peer suffers a sudden cardiac emergency.

• Coaches and PE Instructors: They are with students during strenuous physical activity, which increases the risk of cardiac events.
• Nurses: They are the primary medical responders on campus, making CPR/AED proficiency a fundamental part of their professional duty.
• Band Directors and Cheer Sponsors: Their activities are often physically demanding and frequently occur off-campus.

It’s critical that individuals in these roles not only receive training but also maintain current certification to ensure their skills remain sharp and up-to-date with the latest guidelines.

How Do Individual Texas School Districts Impact the CPR Requirement?

Even though state law only mandates certification for specific roles, individual school districts have the authority to establish more stringent requirements.

A district’s local policy is often the reason why a general education teacher might still need certification. School districts use their local authority to create policies that enhance student safety beyond the state minimum.

How District Policy May Expand CPR Mandates:

1. Universal Requirement: Some districts may require all campus staff (including core subject teachers, librarians, and administrative staff) to achieve and maintain CPR/AED certification as a condition of employment.
2. Specific Campus Needs: A district might identify certain elementary or special education campuses where a higher percentage of staff need certification due to student vulnerability.
3. Hiring/Retention: A district may make CPR certification a highly preferred or required qualification for new hires, even in non-mandated roles.

When a teacher is hired, they should always consult the local school district’s policy to understand their personal CPR certification requirements. The district’s policy dictates the real-world requirement for employment, which may be stricter than the state’s minimum standard.

What Role Do Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) Play in Texas Schools?

CPR is only one piece of the emergency response puzzle; the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is the other. Texas law is very clear about the necessity of having AEDs on school grounds.

The Texas Education Code (TEC S 38.017) mandates that every school district must ensure that:

• At least one AED is available at each campus within the district.
• The principal should consider placing the AED in the primary location where students engage in athletic activities.
• The AED must be readily available during any University Interscholastic League (UIL) athletic competition held on campus.

Furthermore, state law requires that the certified staff (nurses, coaches, etc.) must receive and maintain certification in the use of an AED. This ensures that the equipment isn’t just physically present but that trained professionals are available to use it immediately.

An AED significantly increases the chance of survival for a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. Having the machine and the trained personnel on hand creates a vital link in the Chain of Survival.

Are Students in Texas Required to Learn CPR Before Graduating?

Yes, Texas has been proactive in ensuring its students leave high school with these critical lifesaving skills.

The Texas Administrative Code (19 TAC 74.38) specifies the following requirements for student instruction:

• Grade Level: Instruction must be provided to students in Grades 7-12.
• Frequency: Each student must receive the instruction at least once before graduation from high school.
• Content: The instruction must cover CPR techniques and the use of an AED.
• Training Standards: The training must be developed by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross, or use nationally recognized, evidence-based guidelines. It must also incorporate psychomotor skills (hands-on practice).
• Certification: The instruction for students is not required to result in certification.

The mandate for student instruction is a comprehensive effort to create a generation of prepared bystanders. While the state doesn’t require the certification card, the requirement for hands-on, psychomotor skill training ensures students leave with a working knowledge of how to act in an emergency.

What Protections Exist for Educators Who Perform CPR in an Emergency?

A common fear among bystanders, including teachers, is the legal liability involved in rendering aid. In Texas, the Good Samaritan Law offers important legal protection.

Texas law provides liability protection for individuals who:

• Act in good faith.
• Are acting without compensation.
• Are providing emergency care or CPR at the scene of an emergency.

This protection is intended to encourage prompt action by bystanders, including school employees who may not be officially certified. However, the law generally does not protect a person from liability if their actions are willfully or wantonly negligent—meaning they weren’t acting reasonably or had malicious intent.

For certified staff, maintaining their current certification not only fulfills their legal duty but also strengthens their defense under the Good Samaritan principles, as it demonstrates they were acting within their training.

How Do Texas’s Requirements Compare to Other States?

Texas’s approach to CPR/AED training in schools is highly aligned with national trends but also features some unique characteristics.

The specific staff certification mandate (nurses, coaches) is a strong consensus among states. Roles involving high-risk activities or primary health care are almost always required to be certified across the country.

The student CPR instruction mandate, requiring training but not certification for high school graduation, is also common. Over 40 states require CPR training for high school graduation, placing Texas among the majority.

The largest point of comparison is the requirement for all teachers. Texas is among the states that do not mandate certification for every general classroom teacher, leaving that decision to the local school district. A few states have broader, all-staff requirements, but Texas prioritizes specific high-risk roles.

Texas sits in a strong position, ensuring all necessary resources (AEDs) and training for high-risk personnel are covered by law, while also empowering students with the knowledge to save a life. The remaining gap—universal certification for all teachers—is left to the discretion of local school boards.

Conclusion: Understanding Your CPR Duty in Texas

The question of whether CPR classes are mandatory for Texas Educators is best answered with a clarifying, “It depends on your role and your district.”

The bottom line is clear:

• If you are a coach, school nurse, PE instructor, or band/cheer director, the state of Texas requires you to be currently certified in CPR and AED use.
• If you are a general classroom teacher, the state requires your school district to offer you instruction annually, but your local district policy will determine if you must maintain an official certification card as a condition of your employment.

Understanding these specific rules is the key to both legal compliance and maximizing student safety. By knowing the difference between a state mandate and a local policy, you can ensure you are properly trained and prepared to act when an emergency strikes. Being trained isn’t just about following the law; it’s about being ready to be the difference between life and death.

Ready to find a certified class that meets Texas requirements? You can easily find a class in Austin and surrounding areas that follows the American Heart Association or American Red Cross guidelines by checking out our dedicated city page: CPR Classes Near Me in Austin.