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The Nursing Careers

ACLS certification requirements checker

See whether ACLS is typically required for your role, then track the 70% Precourse Self-Assessment, skills session, and two-year AHA card. This is a provider course, not a board specialty certification.

American Heart Association · Provider course completion card, not a board certification · Inputs stay in your browser

Who ACLS is for

Provider cards for emergency and critical care teams

For a board specialty credential in emergency nursing, use the CEN eligibility explorer. Trauma course verification is on the TNCC tracker.

AHA provider course

Track ACLS requirements

Role and employer questions are recorded for context. The hard checks are BLS proficiency, the 70% Precourse Self-Assessment, course completion, and the two-year card window.

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Published requirements

Answer for your current situation. Do not include projected experience unless the question explicitly allows it.

Readiness overview

Your requirement checklist will appear here

Complete every field to compare your scenario with the issuer's selected published criteria. Inputs stay in your browser.

Employer-specific, not a national estimate

Calculate a confirmed ACLS differential

AHA does not publish a national ACLS pay premium. Course prices vary by training center. Use employer values only if confirmed.

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Potential annual value

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Based only on the employer values you entered

Looking for ED or ICU jobs that list ACLS?

After you check the card window, browse emergency and critical care openings that require ACLS.

Browse nursing jobs

Course facts

ACLS provider snapshot

  • Classification

    Provider course completion card, not a board certification.

  • Precourse

    Precourse Self-Assessment at 70% or higher before class.

  • Validity

    Provider course completion card valid for 2 years.

  • Formats

    Classroom or HeartCode blended learning plus a hands-on skills session. Confirm the path with the training center.

Primary sources

American Heart Association

ACLS course completion information from AHA public pages. Verified August 12, 2026. Next review November 12, 2026.

ACLS overviewCourse options

Common questions

ACLS FAQ

What is ACLS certification?

ACLS is Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support. The American Heart Association issues a provider course completion card, valid for two years. It is not a nursing board certification like CCRN or CEN.

Who needs ACLS?

AHA designed ACLS for clinicians who manage cardiac arrest, stroke, or other cardiopulmonary emergencies, including ED, ICU, and similar teams. Your employer decides whether the card is required.

What score is required on the ACLS Precourse Self-Assessment?

AHA states that students must complete the Precourse Self-Assessment and achieve at least 70% before the ACLS course.

How long is an ACLS card valid?

AHA ACLS provider course completion cards are valid for two years.

Does my employer accept only American Heart Association ACLS?

Many hospitals specify AHA. Some accept other providers. Confirm the accepted card before you enroll.

Is HeartCode ACLS enough by itself?

HeartCode ACLS is the online portion of a blended path. AHA still requires the hands-on skills session for that option. Classroom courses have a different agenda.

Related certification tools

Other credentials