Get your BLS certification online
Your guide to passing the basic life support certification—accredited, widely accepted nationwide and achievable in less time.
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BLS (and CPR) certification designed for healthcare professionals like you
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.
- Accredited: Earn 8 AMA Category 1 credits
- Learn anywhere: 100% online certification
- Get your ACLS eCard online
- Guaranteed acceptance or money back
- Trusted by 100,000+ healthcare professionals
Why you need to become certified in basic life support (BLS)
Basic life support (BLS) certification includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, which is the basic life-saving technique which all healthcare professionals need to know. This training prepares you to save a life in a variety of situations, including heart attacks, strokes, and other emergencies. Unlike advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and pediatric advanced life support (PALS), BLS is a fundamental skill that all healthcare providers should have and which you can also use as an individual in your daily life.
BLS certification is critical for those working in environments where medical emergencies are likely to occur, such as hospitals, clinics, and pre-hospital settings like ambulances. In addition, BLS certification is required for out-patient medical offices, dental offices, and other healthcare settings. Certain states and local jurisdictions additionally require CPR certification any business that serves the public. (BLS certification includes CPR training.)
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), millions of healthcare professionals and lay rescuers receive BLS training annually. In fact, BLS certification is often required for positions in medical fields, including nursing, emergency medical services (EMS), and hospital staff roles.
Cardiovascular emergencies, including sudden cardiac arrest, are one of the leading causes of death globally. BLS training prepares individuals to perform high-quality chest compressions and rescue breaths, which can double or triple a victim's chances of survival in these critical moments.
Beyond professional requirements, BLS training enhances public safety by equipping both healthcare professionals and everyday citizens with the skills to provide immediate assistance in a life-threatening situation. With proper BLS training, individuals are better prepared to make a difference in the first few minutes of an emergency, potentially saving lives before advanced medical help arrives.
Whether in a hospital, clinic, or out in public, BLS-certified individuals are crucial for improving patient outcomes in cardiac and respiratory emergencies, ensuring faster intervention and better coordination among emergency response teams.
Steps to getting your BLS certification
Read study material
All study materials are included, you have choice to read it online or print it. We also include a skills test sheet (optional) for in-hospital skills check.
Pass the online exam
The exam is a multiple-choice format and covers patient scenarios and general course knowledge. You have three attempts to complete this exam.
Complete skills test
The skills test is not necessary for BLS courses. Skills checkoff paperwork is included so that you can review it with a supervisor or local skills instructor if required for your licensure.
What's included in a BLS certification course?
Here's everything you will learn in your BLS course:
- Foundations of BCLS: Explore the core concepts and principles of basic cardiac life support.
- Adult cardiac arrest response: Learn the steps for responding to an adult in cardiac arrest, including CPR and AED use.
- Basic life support for infants and children: Understand the differences in providing BLS to infants and children compared to adults.
- Automated external defibrillation: Learn how to use an AED to deliver a shock to infants and children in cardiac arrest.
- Preventing cardiac arrest: Explore strategies for preventing cardiac arrest in high-risk populations and settings.
- First aid for adults and children: Learn basic first aid techniques for adults and children in emergency situations.
Search for BLS courses near me
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 BLS page to sign up.
We offer a 100% money-back guarantee with all our courses which is valid for 30 days from time of enrollment. This guarantee states:
Our BLS course is certified for up to 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. This course is also offers ACPE, ANCC and ADA credits.
Frequently asked questions
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How to get my BLS eCard?
You will receive you BLS eCard after completing your BLS certification exam.
Please note that in addition to your BLS eCard, your place of work may require you to complete a BLS skills test form. ACLS Training Center provides these forms free of cost as part of their BLS course.
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How is BLS different than CPR?
BLS is a more advanced course than CPR. BLS includes CPR and AED training, but also includes training on how to recognize and treat choking in adults, children and infants. Our BLS course is also certified for 8 CE.
This table compares the topics that are included in each:
CPR BLS Adult CPR Child CPR Infant CPR AED training Choking relief Team dynamics Advanced airway management Credit hours 3 CE 8 CE -
How to reprint my BLS eCard?
If you need to reprint your BLS 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.
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Do I need BLS certification or recertification?
Yes, you can do the recertification if you have taken a BLS course with us or another training center during or after December 2020
If you have never done BLS before, you will need to complete certification course instead.
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How to enroll in an AHA certified course?
If your hospital has a full time American Heart Association (AHA) ACLS trainer on staff, you will generally use them. Call your credentialing department first to see if they will still reimburse our course fee.
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When does the BLS certification expire?
BLS certification needs to be renewed after 24 months. Some employers may require you to renew your certification more frequently, so be sure to check with your employer for their specific requirements.
Planning to certify/recertify BLS?
Get a reminder when you need to take the exam