Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS ACLS CERTIFICATION?
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification is sometimes referred to as Advanced Cardiac Life Support or Advanced Life Support (ALS) certification.
ACLS certification proves that a healthcare professional has proven their knowledge of not just Basic Life Support (BLS) techniques but also more advanced life support methods, including advanced airway management, emergency cardiovascular pharmacology, complex resuscitation algorithms, and post-cardiac arrest care.
Who Needs ACLS Certification?
ACLS certification is vital for healthcare professionals who manage patients at risk of cardiac arrest or other cardiovascular emergencies. This includes:
● Doctors
● Nurses
● Paramedics
● Respiratory therapists
● Nurse assistants
● Caregivers
This certification is especially critical for professionals working in:
● Emergency departments
● Intensive care units (ICUs)
● Critical care settings
● Cardiac care units
● Emergency response roles
HOW DO I GET ACLS CERTIFIED?
To earn an Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certificate, you should complete ACLS training with an accredited provider like us. You need to pass the certification exam with a score of 80% or more.
How Long Does it Take to Get ACLS Certification?
How long it takes to receive certification will vary depending on the method of training. In-person ACLS classes can take anywhere from 8 to 10 hours, while a hybrid option may be shorter due to the partial online component.
We offer a 100% online, self-paced course, allowing you to complete the material on your schedule. The final exam may take additional time to complete. We offer three attempts to pass the exam with a score of 80% or higher, ensuring flexibility and convenience.
How Many CEUs is ACLS Certification?
The number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification varies by course type and provider. Typically:
● Initial ACLS certification awards up to 8 CEUs.
● ACLS recertification awards up to 4 CEUs.
Be sure to verify CEU details with your course provider, as requirements may differ.
WHAT ARE THE PREREQUISITES FOR ACLS CERTIFICATION?
Advanced Life Support certification courses build on the foundation of BLS certification and assume basic knowledge has been mastered. The learner should have sound knowledge in the following areas before beginning the ACLS certification class:
- BLS skills
- Basic ECG rhythm interpretation
- Airway management
- Vascular access
- Pharmacology of the drugs commonly used in adult resuscitation
IS THIS ACLS COURSE 100% ONLINE?
Yes, our ACLS certification course is 100% online and you do not have to complete an in-person skills test. Instead, you must demonstrate that you have mastered the didactic material by passing the ACLS online certification exam.
Our curriculum is designed for experienced medical professionals looking for a targeted refresher of their ACLS certification online.
CAN YOU GET ACLS CERTIFICATION ONLINE?
When the physicians at ACLS Medical Training were creating our curriculum, they decided the tactile experiences of providing lifesaving care cannot be duplicated in a classroom with a mannequin because they can only be learned through practice in the field as part of your clinical training. Therefore, a hands-on skills test on a mannequin is not critical for the best online ACLS certification continuing education experience.
This course is widely accepted throughout the U.S. and internationally as a targeted refresher for experienced medical professionals.
Additionally, our ACLS Medical Training course has been reviewed, validated, and accredited by the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine.
WHICH ACLS COURSE IS RIGHT FOR ME?
If your ACLS card has been expired for 12 months or longer, you should elect for the full ACLS certification course.
For everyone else, the refresher course is sufficient, even if you were previously certified through a different organization or your certification has temporarily lapsed.
WILL I RECEIVE CME CREDITS FROM THIS ACLS CERTIFICATION COURSE?
Yes! We are proud to offer continuing education credits with our ACLS certification. All courses provided by ACLS Medical Training are accredited by the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and offer AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (including ANCC, ADA, and ACPE accreditations).
If you take our full ACLS online certification course, you’ll earn eight (8) CE credits. If you’re taking the bi-annual training course, you’ll earn four (4) CE credits. Please note, you’ll receive these credits only after you pass the ACLS online exam with a score of 80% or higher.
HOW LONG IS THE ACLS PROVIDER CARD VALID FOR?
Completing the ACLS certification course through ACLS Medical Training will keep you credentialed for two (2) years from the date you pass the ACLS exam.
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY ACLS PROVIDER CARD?
You can download a digital copy of your ACLS provider card immediately after passing the certification exam. The ACLS provider card will include your name, issue date, renewal date, and the ACLS Medical Training logo.
