How long does BLS certification last?

BLS certification is valid for 2 years from the date of issue, regardless of whether you received it through the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. Most employers require a current, unexpired card, so you should renew within the 2-year window. You can typically renew up to 90 days before your expiration date without losing your original renewal date.

Is BLS the same as CPR certification?

BLS (Basic Life Support) is not the same as a basic consumer CPR/AED card. BLS is a professional-level certification designed for healthcare providers. It covers single-rescuer and team-based CPR for adults, children, and infants; AED use; rescue breathing with bag-valve masks; and relief of airway obstruction. Consumer CPR classes (Heartsaver, Community CPR) are less rigorous and are not accepted for most clinical employment or licensure requirements.

Which is better: AHA BLS or Red Cross BLS?

Both the AHA BLS Provider and Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers certifications are evidence-based and widely accepted. The AHA is the preferred or required standard at many hospital systems and is universally recognized across clinical settings. The Red Cross offers comparable content, often at a slightly lower cost or more flexible schedule. Before enrolling, verify with your employer or state licensing board which organization they accept — most accept both, but some institutions specify AHA only.

Can I get BLS certified online?

Yes, but not entirely. Both the AHA and Red Cross offer blended BLS courses where you complete the cognitive portion online (typically 1–2 hours), then attend a brief in-person skills session with a certified instructor to demonstrate CPR and AED competency. A fully online BLS certificate with no hands-on skills evaluation is not accepted for clinical employment or healthcare licensure. Always confirm the format requirements with your employer before enrolling.

What Is a BLS Certification?

Learn what BLS certification covers, who needs it, and how to get certified through the AHA or Red Cross. Requirements, costs, and renewal explained.

BLS - Basic Life SupportApr 26, 20267 min read

What BLS Certification Covers

BLS certification training equips healthcare professionals with the core emergency response skills needed to sustain life until advanced care arrives. A standard BLS course covers:

High-quality CPR for adult, child, and infant patients, including proper hand placement, compression depth (at least 2 inches for adults), rate (100–120 compressions per minute), and minimizing interruptions
Rescue breathing and ventilation using bag-valve masks, pocket masks, and mouth-to-mouth technique
AED operation — recognizing shockable rhythms, safe pad placement, and delivering shocks with minimal CPR interruption
Team-based resuscitation, including clear communication roles, compression rotation, and closed-loop communication
Airway obstruction relief — abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) and back blows for conscious and unconscious choking victims across all age groups
Recognition of cardiac arrest, stroke, and respiratory arrest signs to initiate the chain of survival without delay

Courses combine video-based instruction with hands-on skills practice using manikins and AED trainers, culminating in a skills evaluation and written exam.

Who Needs BLS Certification

BLS certification is a mandatory credential in virtually every clinical and pre-hospital healthcare role. The following professionals are typically required to hold a current BLS card:

Registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and nurse practitioners
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics — see our guide to EMT certification for full requirements
Physicians, physician assistants, and medical students during clinical rotations
Certified clinical medical assistants (CCMAs) and other allied health personnel — CCMA certification programs also require a current BLS card
Dental hygienists, radiologic technologists, and respiratory therapists
Lifeguards, fitness trainers, and school nurses in many states

Employers in acute care, urgent care, long-term care, and outpatient settings routinely verify BLS status at hire and during annual credential reviews. Many state licensing boards also list BLS as a condition for initial licensure or renewal.

AHA vs Red Cross BLS Certification

Two organizations dominate BLS provider training in the United States: the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Red Cross. Both are accredited and widely accepted by employers, but there are meaningful differences:

American Heart Association (AHA) BLS: The AHA's BLS Provider course is the gold standard for hospital-based and clinical settings. It follows the most current AHA guidelines (updated every five years), emphasizes team dynamics, and is offered through authorized training centers in blended learning (HeartCode BLS online + skills check) or fully in-person formats. A successful completion yields a 2-year BLS Provider card.

American Red Cross BLS: The Red Cross offers BLS for Healthcare Providers, which mirrors AHA content and is accepted at most employers. Red Cross courses often have more flexible scheduling, including fully online blended options and a lower average cost. Certification is also valid for 2 years.

Before enrolling, confirm with your employer or licensing board which issuing organization they prefer — most accept both, but some hospitals specify AHA only.

BLS Certification at a Glance

Course Details

Duration: 3–4 hours (in-person); 1–2 hrs online + skills session (blended)
Format: In-person, blended learning (online + skills check)
Providers: AHA, American Red Cross
Certification Valid: 2 years

Exam Requirements

Written Exam: Multiple-choice, ~25 questions
Passing Score: 84% or higher
Skills Test: Hands-on CPR/AED manikin evaluation
Retakes: Allowed same day for skills; written re-test varies by provider

Cost

AHA BLS (in-person): $55–$85 at authorized training centers
AHA HeartCode BLS (blended): $38 online + skills check fee (~$20–$40)
Red Cross BLS: $40–$75 depending on location/format
Employer Reimbursement: Common in hospital and health system roles

Prerequisites

Age Requirement: None specified; designed for healthcare providers
Prior CPR Required: No — course teaches from basics
Recommended Background: Healthcare student or working clinical professional
Materials Needed: Photo ID; some centers provide course materials

BLS vs ACLS vs PALS — Which Do You Need?

BLS (Basic Life Support) is the entry-level certification required by nearly all clinical roles. Once you have BLS, certain advanced roles require additional credentials:

ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) — Required for ICU nurses, ER staff, and those who manage cardiac arrest, arrhythmias, and stroke in adults. Builds directly on BLS skills.
PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) — Required for pediatric and neonatal care providers. Focuses on respiratory distress, shock, and cardiac arrest in infants and children.
NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) — For labor and delivery, NICU, and nursery staff who resuscitate newborns at birth.

BLS is always the foundation. Most employers require you to hold a current BLS card before enrolling in ACLS or PALS courses.

BLS Certification Process

Getting your BLS certification is a straightforward process that can typically be completed in a single day. Here is what to expect:

Choose a course format. Decide between a fully in-person class or a blended learning option. Blended courses let you complete the cognitive portion online at your own pace, then schedule a brief skills session (30–60 minutes) at a local training center.
Register with an authorized provider. For AHA BLS, use the AHA's training center locator at heart.org. For Red Cross, register at redcross.org. Many community colleges, hospitals, and fire stations also offer accredited BLS training.
Complete the cognitive learning. In-person classes combine video instruction with instructor-led discussion. Blended learners work through the HeartCode or Red Cross online module covering all BLS algorithms, team dynamics, and case scenarios.
Pass the written exam. A short multiple-choice test assesses your understanding of BLS algorithms, AED operation, and special situations (drowning, opioid overdose, pregnancy). The AHA requires an 84% passing score.
Complete the hands-on skills evaluation. An instructor-evaluator will observe you performing adult CPR with AED, infant CPR, and two-rescuer CPR on manikins. You must meet compression depth, rate, and recoil standards to pass.
Receive your provider card. Upon successful completion, you receive a BLS Provider card (physical or digital) valid for 2 years. Many digital cards are issued same-day via email; physical cards may take 7–14 days to arrive.

Total time investment for most students is 3–4 hours for in-person, or 1.5–2 hours online plus a 45-minute skills session for blended formats.

BLS Renewal Requirements

BLS certification expires every 2 years. Employers and licensing boards require a current, unexpired card — a lapsed BLS certificate can delay hiring, clinical placement, or license renewal. Here is how to stay current:

Renewal courses: Both AHA and Red Cross offer abbreviated renewal (recertification) classes for providers who already hold a current or recently expired card. These are shorter than initial certification — typically 2–3 hours in person or a blended option — because they focus on skills practice and guideline updates rather than introductory instruction.

Renewal timing: You can renew up to 90 days before your expiration date without losing your original renewal date. Waiting until the card expires means re-taking the full initial course at some training centers.

Guideline updates: The AHA updates CPR and ECC guidelines every five years (most recently in 2026, with focused updates in 2026). Renewal courses incorporate any protocol changes — such as updated compression-to-ventilation ratios or opioid overdose response integration — so your skills stay aligned with current evidence.

Employer-sponsored renewal: Many hospitals and large health systems host on-site BLS renewal sessions through their education departments. Check with your HR or clinical education team before paying out of pocket — employer-sponsored renewal is often free and completed during work hours.

Online-only renewal: Fully online (no skills check) BLS renewal is not accepted by most healthcare employers or licensing boards. Always confirm your employer's requirements before choosing a renewal format.