BLS Certification & Recertification | ACLS Medical Training

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Joint Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and ACLS Medical Training. Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

What is BLS Certification & BLS Recertification?

BLS certification, or Basic Life Support certification, trains healthcare providers and emergency responders to recognize and respond to life-threatening emergencies, including performing CPR, using an AED, and clearing an obstructed airway.

BLS recertification, also called BLS renewal, is how someone who already holds a BLS credential keeps it current. Rather than repeating the full course, recertification refreshes your existing skills against the latest guidelines.

BLS Certification vs. BLS Recertification: Which Do I Need?

Recertification is for providers whose BLS card is still active or expired 12 months or less. It's a shorter refresh of skills you already have.
Certification is for first-time trainees, or anyone whose card has been expired for more than 12 months. It's the full course from the ground up.

Use the Get Certified / Get Recertified selector above to choose the right path and get started.

How BLS Recertification Works

Recertifying means reviewing the latest AHA and ILCOR guideline updates, then passing the online exam. There's no in-person skills test required for our training. Once you pass, you'll receive a new, digital 2-year BLS provider card.

What's Included in Our Online BLS Course?

Every course includes:

Self-paced training modules covering core BLS skills
Three (3) attempts to pass the certification exam
An instant digital provider card, valid for 2 years
Full access from any mobile device or tablet
8 CME/CE credits for certification and 4 CME/CE credits for recertification

Looking to bundle your training? Explore BLS + ACLS certification and recertification or BLS + ACLS + PALS certification and recertification for combined savings.

Is Our Online BLS Certification & Recertification Accepted by Employers?

Yes, our online BLS certification and recertification are widely accepted by employers nationwide. ACLS Medical Training is a jointly accredited provider, and every course follows the 2025 AHA & ECC/ILCOR Guidelines. Each provider card is nationally accepted for two years and includes QR-code employer verification, so your credential can be confirmed instantly.

Get Certified Today!

Learn essential CPR, AED use, and choking-relief techniques for infants, children, and adults. This streamlined BLS course gives you the skills and confidence to act quickly in real emergencies.

Step 1

Take the Training

Choose your online BLS course
Enroll & start learning at your own pace
Review study materials & practice tests

Step 2

Pass the Exam

Complete the online BLS exam
Retake the exam until you pass

Step 3

Get Certified

Instantly download your digital BLS provider card & training certificate
Get official CME certificate of completion from CME University, if applicable
Valid for 2 years & accepted by most employers

140,000+

Students Trained in Life Saving Procedures

660,000+

CME Credits Issued to Licensed Medical Professionals

Compare ACLS to Other BLS Providers

	SVG	Others
100% Mobile & Tablet Friendly	100% Mobile & Tablet Friendly	100% Mobile & Tablet Friendly
Automatically Save Your Progress, Start & Stop As Needed	Automatically Save Your Progress, Start & Stop As Needed	Automatically Save Your Progress, Start & Stop As Needed
Instant Certificate of Completion	Instant Certificate of Completion	Instant Certificate of Completion
Instant Provider Card	Instant Provider Card	Instant Provider Card
100% Online, No In-Person Requirement	100% Online, No In-Person Requirement	100% Online, No In-Person Requirement
Option to Add CME Credits	Option to Add CME Credits	Option to Add CME Credits
100% Pass Rate	100% Pass Rate	100% Pass Rate
Exam Retakes	Exam Retakes	Exam Retakes
Compliant with AHA, ECC & ILCOR Guidelines	Compliant with AHA, ECC & ILCOR Guidelines	Compliant with AHA, ECC & ILCOR Guidelines
100% Acceptance Guarantee	100% Acceptance Guarantee	100% Acceptance Guarantee
Easy QR Code Certificate Verification	Easy QR Code Certificate Verification	Easy QR Code Certificate Verification

What Our Customers Are Saying

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Renew My BLS Certification Online?

Log in or create your account and select the BLS recertification option.
Review the updated guideline material at your own pace.
Pass the online recertification exam.
Download your new, digital 2-year BLS provider card instantly.

How Long Does It Take to Get BLS Certified or Recertified?

BLS certification takes about 8 hours to complete, while BLS recertification takes about 4 hours, since it's a shorter refresher. Because the course is self-paced, many learners finish faster, and you can start and stop whenever your schedule allows. You'll have 90 days from registration to complete the course.

How Much Is BLS Certification & Recertification?

Pricing depends on whether you're completing full certification or a recertification. Recertification costs less, since it's a shorter refresher course. Rates shown reflect introductory pricing for new customers. Use the course selector above to see current pricing for your situation.

Are BLS and CPR the Same Thing?

No – BLS certification is a broader and deeper level of emergency training than CPR certification. While CPR courses are a good foundation for non-medical personnel looking to meet workplace safety requirements and provide aid until emergency responders arrive, BLS certification meets the needs of first responders and healthcare professionals working in pre-hospital, hospital, and post-acute settings.

In other words, CPR training is sufficient when you might need life-saving skills in a pinch, but BLS training is appropriate when you’re likely to need life-saving skills on the job.

What Jobs Can I Get With BLS Certification?

There are two industries where BLS certification is essential, healthcare and non-healthcare. Getting your BLS certification can be a huge leap forward in your career. In the healthcare industry especially, certification is not only widely recognized but often required for positions such as:

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Medical Assistant
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Home Health Aide
Physical Therapist

Healthcare workers are not the only ones who are eligible for a BLS certification. It is also essential in many non-healthcare professions, such as:

Lifeguard
Firefighter and Police Officers
Construction Workers or Electricians
Educators and School Staff
Nanny or Childcare Provider
Care Providers
Security Personnel

When Will I Receive My BLS Provider Card?

You can download a digital copy of your BLS provider card immediately after passing the certification exam. The BLS provider card will include your name, issue date, renewal date, and the ACLS Medical Training logo.

How Long Is the BLS Provider Card Valid For?

Completing the BLS certification course through ACLS Medical Training will keep you credentialed for two (2) years from the date you pass the BLS exam.

Want more detail? Read our guide on how long does BLS certification last.

Will I Receive CME Credits From This BLS Certification Course?

Yes! We are proud to offer continuing education credits with our BLS certification. If you purchase a course that offers CME/CE credit, our courses offer up to 8 CME/CE credits.

If you take our full BLS certification online 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 that you’ll receive these credits only after you pass the BLS online exam with a score of 80% or higher.

To get your official CME certificate of completion, log in or create an account on the CME University website, enter the provider number you received from us in the “Claim CME Credits” search bar, select your course, complete the required post-test and evaluation, and then download your certificate from your account.

How Can I Get My CME Credits For This Course?