Your guide to getting certified in advanced cardiac life Support—accredited, widely accepted nationwide and achievable in less time.
See our other courses and group discounts.ACLS Training Center courses are designed to help healthcare professionals enhance their skills while fitting easily into busy schedules. Whether you're working in emergency care, critical care, or another healthcare field, our online, accredited courses are tailored to meet your career needs. Achieve your certification at your own pace and on your own time.
Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification is crucial for healthcare professionals, equipping them with the expertise needed to manage life-threatening cardiac emergencies. From handling cardiac arrest to addressing stroke situations, ACLS training enables providers to act decisively in critical moments.
This certification is particularly vital for those working in high-pressure environments such as emergency rooms, intensive care units (ICUs), and operating rooms. Nurses, doctors, paramedics, and other first responders rely on ACLS training to meet the highest standards of patient care during emergencies.
The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that over 500,000 healthcare professionals undergo ACLS training annually, with nearly 60% of nurses in acute care settings holding this certification. In many hospitals and states, ACLS certification is mandatory for staff in critical care departments, including anesthesia, cardiology, and emergency medicine.
Given that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide—responsible for approximately 17.9 million deaths each year—the need for ACLS-certified professionals is more important than ever. Many healthcare employers require ACLS certification for roles in critical care, making it required for career advancement in fields like emergency medicine, surgery, and cardiology.
Beyond fulfilling job requirements, ACLS training enhances the ability of healthcare teams to respond quickly and coordinate effectively in emergencies, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Whether in hospital settings or out in the field, ACLS-certified professionals play a key role in saving lives during cardiac emergencies.
Before you can take advantage of the opportunities that come with providing critical care in emergency situations, you'll need to obtain your ACLS certification first.
The good news? Earning your ACLS certification can be completed in just a few straightforward steps.
Earning your online certification or recertification has never been easier! Here is a step-by-step explanation of how our courses work.
This is optional for in-hospital employees.
We do include the skills checkoff paperwork so you can review with a supervisor or local skills instructor. You will receive your provider eCard after passing the online exam. Complete the skills form separately.
Student Name
has successfully completed the course requirements and cognitive evaluation in accordance with ACLS Training Center curriculum.Exact words on our healthcare provider certificate
Here's everything you will learn in your ACLS course:
Our class is accepted in every US state and Canadian province, as well as over 60 countries in the Eurozone, Asia and Africa. 🇨🇦 Canadians, please visit our Canada ACLS page to sign up.
We offer a 100% money-back guarantee with all our courses, which is valid for 30 days from the time of enrollment. This guarantee states:
Our ACLS course is certified for up to 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. This course is also offers ACPE, ANCC and ADA credits.
Depending on the provider you choose, the cost of obtaining ACLS certification typically ranges from $175 to $400 or more. The most significant and essential investment is the ACLS course itself. The cost of the course varies based on the provider and the type of learning format-whether online, in-person, or blended learning. Here are the typical fees involved:
Online | Hybrid | In-person | |
---|---|---|---|
Course Cost | $175 | $275 | $290 |
eCard | Free | $35 | $50 |
Wallet card | Free | Free | $50 |
Shipping | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Totals: | $175 | $310 | $390 |
It typically takes an average of two (2) weeks to complete your ACLS certification, but the time frame can vary significantly depending on your personal pace. Some individuals may complete their certification in just a few days, while others may take a few months to finish.
The amount of time it takes to earn your certification largely depends on the course format you choose and how quickly you complete the training.
With online ACLS courses, you can work at your own pace. This flexibility allows you to complete your certification faster if you're motivated to move through the material quickly, or take your time if you need to balance it with other commitments.
In an in-person classroom setting, you'll follow the schedule of the course provider. This option can be beneficial if you prefer structured learning or want the added benefit of interacting with instructors and classmates.
Earning an ACLS certification opens up a variety of career opportunities in healthcare, including:
Each role offers different specialties within emergency and critical care, with some requiring additional certifications or advanced training to further your career. Specializing in certain areas, such as trauma or cardiac care, may also lead to higher earning potential.
For a general idea of salaries in healthcare, here's a look at the average wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Job title | Avg. hourly wage | Average yearly wage |
---|---|---|
Registered nurses (ER) | $39.78 | $82,750 |
Critical care nurses | $42.00 | $87,360 |
Paramedics | $22.78 | $47,380 |
Salaries can vary depending on experience, location, and additional certifications like ACLS. Many healthcare professionals use their ACLS certification to advance their careers and increase their earning potential, especially in critical care and emergency settings.
To explore more about career options, specialties, and how ACLS certification can impact your career, visit our Resources page for additional information.
After you pass your ACLS certification exam, you will receive an email with a link to your eCard. You can download and print your eCard from this link. If you need a new copy of your eCard, you can log in to your account and download it from there.
The ACLS pretest is available on our website. You can take the pretest at any time before you take the final exam. The pretest is a great way to assess your knowledge and identify areas where you may need to review the material.
If you need to reprint your ACLS eCard, you can log in to your account and download a new copy. You can also contact our customer service team for assistance with reprinting your eCard.
The need for ACLS and BLS certification or recertification depends on your job requirements and the regulations in your state or country. Many healthcare professionals are required to have ACLS and BLS certification to work in certain settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and emergency medical services.
If you are unsure whether you need ACLS or BLS certification or recertification, you can check with your employer or regulatory body for guidance. You can also contact our customer service team for assistance with determining your certification needs.
It lasts two years from the issue date. That is, exactly 730 days from your certification issue date (or 731 days through a leap year). BLS and PALS are the same.
Get a reminder when you need to take the exam