ACLS Certification is required by health care providers working in acute care settings and also by providers of emergency services.
The majority of hospitals and emergency services within the United States require that this certification be obtained through the American Heart Association (AHA).
Don’t be fooled by Non-AHA imitations.
There are a number of ways to obtain AHA approved ACLS certification. Below is a breakdown of what is required and how it can be obtained. Also included are some cautions about online certification.
Attend a local class
- The safest way to obtain AHA ACLS certification is by attending a class in your local area. Many hospitals provide the course at a discount to their employees. You can also check your yellow pages for education facilities that provide BLS, ACLS, and first aid training. The cost of the class usually ranges from $ 150-200.
Ask your education department about opportunities for fee reimbursement or fee assistance. - When looking for a course in your local area, you should make sure to ask if the certification is AHA approved since nearly all hospitals and emergency services in the United States require AHA approved ACLS certification.
AHA approved certification always requires a written exam and hands-on skills station test.
Online Certification:
- You should be very cautious about online ACLS certification. There are quite a number of websites that offer “ACLS Certification” but are not AHA approved. Some may even say “approved by AHA certified physicians” or “AHA physicians recommend this course”. Beware of these sites. Most hospitals and healthcare facilities will not recognize these certifications.
- There are several online courses that are AHA approved and they will say so right upfront. They want you to know they are approved and they will always make that clear.
- AHA does offer an online course or CD called “HeartCode ACLS Part 1.” If
This is the American Heart Association’s self-directed learning program. The cost of Part 1 is $120 and includes CME/CE credits. To complete the AHA ACLS certification, there are two parts to the program. Part 1 is the online or CD-based learning component that allows users to work through the ACLS curriculum at their own pace. Part 2 is the hands-on skills evaluation session usually costs around $50.
Conclusion
ACLS certification is a great way to expand your knowledge base as a health care professional, and it will help prepare you to be ready to perform advanced resuscitation in the healthcare setting. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
ACLS-Algorithms.com is here to provide you with the best web-based ACLS training available. Try the Megacode Simulator or watch a video about the new 2015-2020 ACLS guidelines for cardiac arrest algorithm.
Sheila says
I renewed my BLS with American Red Cross. Does most healthcare facilities honor that?
Jeff with admin. says
Since the American Red Cross has a hands on portion to their training most hospitals will honor it. I would make sure and check with your education department to ensure that they will accept it.
Kind regards,
Jeff
Jobin Chacko says
My A C L S & B L S Certificate will expire with in two month, how can i renew that ?
Jeff with admin. says
The easiest way to renew your ACLS and BLS is to find a local AHA BLS and ACLS provider course and take the course.
You can find a local provider by using the AHA Class locator here:
AHA Class Locator
Kind regards,
Jeff
Eileen Hubl says
Can you provide me with information on a site where I can go to take the aha approved final exam? Then I can go to a testing center after that is completed for part two. Thanks
Jeff with admin. says
You can find a local provider for the Part 2 skills station here: AHA Class Locator
Kind regards,
Jeff
Diana Kirby says
I am preparing to re certify in ACLS soon prior to expiration date. My BLS has expired a couple of months ago. Will I have to update BLS prior to ACLS recertification?
Jeff with admin. says
BLS is not a requirement to take ACLS.
It’s likely that if you are required to have ACLS for your work then BLS will be a requirement so you will probably need to get that updated, but it is not required to participate in the ACLS provider course.
Kind regards,
Jeff
Casilda Gonzales says
With your online course, does that include the training AND written exam? Then when that is passed, I will go to a testing site for the hands on? Please clarify.
Does that mean, then, that YOUR training AND written exam together are $120.00?
Thank you,
Jeff with admin. says
This website is for training purposes only to help people prepare for the AHA ACLS provider course and to help them learn and master the advanced cardiac life support skills. I do not offer any type of certification through the website.
Kind regards,
Jeff
julie says
so…your site is PREP for ACLS recert? you don’t provide final exam for a card? i will have to go local for that, am i correct?
Jeff with admin. says
Yes, this website is strictly for training purposes to help people prepare for the AHA ACLS Provider course and real cardiac arrest emergencies. Kind regards, Jeff
Diane says
If someone wants to take the AHA – ACLS or PALS course, is a BLS card from another group acceptable (Red Cross or American Safety and Health Institute)
Jeff with admin. says
You would need to speak with the local provider that you are taking the ACLS or PALS course through. They will be able to tell you if these are acceptable BLS prerequisite courses.
Kind regards,
Jeff
Missy says
Are Certified Medical Assistants allowed to become ACLS certified?
Jeff with admin. says
Yes, anyone can take AHA ACLS Provider Course. If you can pass the course, you receive an AHA ACLS provider card that is good for 2 years.
Kind regards,
Jeff
Anthony says
Hi. I saw this website https://acls.com/ online and i dont know if i should pull through with this. They say they also offer Skills evaluation if the company or if the board in the state requires it.
is this legit?
thanks
Jeff with admin. says
This will not be accepted as American Heart Association provider course. There is no legitimate way to get American Heart Association ACLS certification completely online. It requires a in person skill station.
There are a few healthcare facilities like plastic surgery centers, dental offices, and nursing homes that except 100%online ACLS courses that are not through the American heart, but I have never seen a US hospital that we do this.
If you go through any online company be very careful because once you start your course they will not give you a refund. Many people have asked me about this after they were scammed and it was too late.
If you have any questions, please feel free to give a call to the technical support line 316-243-7096.
Kind regards,
Jeff
Kris says
Hi,
I am outside of the US. I have previously had BLS and ACLS certifications. I understand that I can get the testing part done online, however there is no international testing center nearby to do the practical, hands on part. Is there a way to do that from overseas so that I can apply for a job from here with my qualification?
Thanks,
Kris
Jeff with admin. says
There are a few testing facilities located in different regions internationally. It’s hard to say whether there will be one that is near you unless you contact the American Heart Association.
This has been a problem for quite a number of people that I have spoken with. If you are not contain to the American Heart Association but just need a skill station check off the below link may be a viable option:
http://distancecme.com/products_detail.php?id=19
I looked into this a little bit and if you could talk to your health care facility and ask them if this would be an excepted bowl alternative to American heart certification. This does have a skill station that is by Skype. They send you the materials that you need to complete the skill station via Skype.
Just make sure that you get full approval from your healthcare facility and know that they will except this as an acceptable alternative to American Heart.
Kind regards,
Jeff
Raj Chauhan says
Hi Jeff,
Is this course for nursing class only? Can the Operation Theatre Technicians apply for this course?
Jeff with admin. says
This class is for any healthcare provider I have many doctors, respiratory therapist, emergency medical technicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers that take this course.
Kind regards, Jeff
Nik says
Hi Jeff,
I obtained my BLS and ACLS from an AHA accredited center listed at one of the “International Class Locator” link you posted. Does it mean that I am also a BLS and ACLS certified in the USA? even if I had it outside your country? Thank you.
Jeff with admin. says
Yes, if you received BLS and ACLS from an accredited center located outside of the United States then you are still certified in the United States. The provider card will be acceptable by any facility that accepts the American Heart Association provider courses.
Kind regards,
Jeff
Theexin says
After completing both online course part 1 and skills session of AHA ACLS course, the certification will be issued ? How long is the validity of this certification?
Jeff with admin. says
Your AHA provider card will be good for two years. Kind regards, Jeff
gamboam says
Hi Jeff,
Do you recommend reading the manual alongside using your online website? Or will your website suffice to properly get certified?
Thanks
Jeff with admin. says
The site covers all of the content that you will experience during the AHA provider course. There are many people that use this website as a standalone steady resource. The feedback that I have had from these healthcare providers has been 100% positive. They all stated that the website was sufficient in their preparation.
There are some people that like to use the provider manual as a reference while using the website, but it is not necessary.
Kind regards,
Jeff
J says
I am looking to get my ACLS for the first time and I notice when looking for ACLS classes there are 7 hour and 10 hour classes. What is the difference? Which one should I take?
Thank you!
Jeff with admin. says
You will need to speak with the local provider to see which one you are required to take. Usually if you are taking the provider course for the first time you have to take the full course.
Kind regards,
Jeff