What Is ACLS Certification? Overview and FAQ

What medications can you give if a patient goes into cardiac arrest? What about if their heartbeat is too slow, in the case of bradycardia? You might have basic life support (BLS) training, but advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) gives you the skills to understand and manage life-threatening clinical conditions. So, what is ACLS certification and who is it for?

ACLS training is often required for clinicians who work in acute care settings and are routinely managing unstable patients. ACLS will help you practice with more confidence if you work, or are planning to work, in any of the following clinical areas:

• Cardiac units
• Emergency departments
• Intensive care units
• Operating rooms
• Post-anesthesia care units
• Progressive care
• Telemetry units

What Is ACLS Certification for Nurses?

The American Heart Association (AHA) ACLS certification helps train and certify clinicians to care for patients in cardiac arrest and cardiovascular emergencies. It’s not just for nurses — any licensed healthcare provider can become certified. ACLS protocols provide a standardized approach to life-threatening emergencies, so this training is essential to maintain care quality.

ACLS courses reinforce and teach lifesaving skills, such as:

• Providing basic life support, including CPR, rescue breathing, and using an AED.
• Recognizing respiratory and cardiac arrest.
• Recognizing conditions leading to arrest, like symptomatic bradycardia.
• Managing a patient’s airway.
• Administering rescue medications.
• Implementing stroke management procedures.
• Being a member and leader of the resuscitation team.

To help you learn these skills, ACLS courses combine didactic learning with simulation and planned scenarios. The AHA offers this training in two forms — a blended online and in-person course, and a fully classroom-based option. The full classroom training takes about 15 hours, and the blended option is self-paced. Once you take the course, you’ll need to pass the ACLS exam to earn your certification.

Who Can Become ACLS Certified?

There are no work experience requirements to take the course — you can take the class right after licensure. If you’re one of the following health providers, you can become ACLS certified.

• Registered nurses
• Licensed practical nurses
• Nurse practitioners
• Nurse anesthetists
• Physicians
• Medical students
• Physician assistants
• Respiratory therapists

Additionally, the AHA requires that ACLS candidates possess these prerequisite skills:

• Providing basic life support
• Reading electrocardiograms
• Understanding of basic ACLS pharmacology
• Giving bag-mask ventilation

What Does ACLS Certification Cost?

The AHA offers the online portion of their blended course for $168, but you’ll also need to enroll and pay a fee for the in-person component. In-person fees will depend on where you enroll. If you’re paying for the course yourself, expect to spend around $150–$200.

Before paying for a course, check with your unit manager or clinical supervisor to see if your employer offers ACLS courses or tuition reimbursement. Some employers only accept ACLS certifications from specific providers, so be sure the program you sign up for meets their specifications.

How to Get ACLS Certified: 3 Steps

Step 1: Enroll and Take an ACLS Course

To get started, register for an accredited ACLS course. The leading providers of ACLS courses are the AHA and Red Cross. There’s typically a simulation element in these courses, so you can practice your skills in real time. Some AHA programs require that students view pre-course videos before training, so be sure you arrive to class prepared.

Step 2: Pass the Exam

Next, you’ll need to pass the ACLS exam. To help the information sink in, the AHA has an ACLS provider manual for purchase. You can also check out a free ACLS certification study guide from the National CPR Association. The AHA allows you to use your course resources to answer the questions, so take good notes during the training session. The exam is online, and you’ll log in with the account you made when you registered. Once you pass, you’ll receive a virtual and physical certificate card.

Step 3: Maintain Certification and Keep Your Skills

If you’re certified with the American Heart Association, ACLS renewal is required every two years, by the end of the month that you completed the course. When it’s time to recertify, contact a local training center to inquire about their ACLS renewal programs.

ACLS Certification FAQs

What is ACLS certification vs. BLS training?

ACLS is a more specialized life support education that includes additional assessment information, medications, and protocols. It covers a broader range of clinical problems, including stroke and bradycardia. While BLS is required for nearly every patient-facing role in clinical care, ACLS is typically only required for licensed providers who work in acute and critical care settings.

What is ACLS certification vs. PALS certification?

PALS stands for pediatric advanced life support, and it’s designed for clinicians who work with infants, children, and young adults in critical settings. In contrast, ACLS is for adult life support. Some clinicians might have both ACLS and PALS — for example, a nurse who works in a rural emergency department may need to manage life support for both children and adults.

What is ACLS vs. ALS?

The AHA’s advanced life support (ALS) training is a step beyond ACLS. It’s for ACLS-trained clinicians who are looking for a broader life support education. ALS includes additional information for emergency personnel, emergency medicine, intensive care, and critical care providers.

Is ACLS hard to pass?

ACLS training focuses on helping you learn skills and become comfortable making clinical decisions under pressure. Once you’ve gotten through the course materials, you’ll be able to refer back to your resources during the exam. And if you don’t pass, you can retake the exam.

Can you get ACLS certified online?

Some online trainers offer ACLS courses and exams online, but your employer may not accept a certificate from these providers. The AHA’s ACLS course is the industry standard, and they offer a blended training option. Before you enroll in a program, be sure that your employer will accept the training.

Related Certifications

If you’re interested in becoming ACLS certified, you may also want to check out these other related credentials:

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• CCRN Certification
• Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
• Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)
• Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC)
• Med-surg certification
• National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
• S.T.A.B.L.E.
• Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN)
• Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)

What Is ACLS Certification Going to Do For Your Career?

If you’re looking for ways to deepen your nursing skill set, a new job could be the next right step. Sign up for personalized nursing job notifications to start learning about opportunities in your area.