ITLS Practice Test
Updated October 2026Facts verified Oct 19, 2026 against ITLS
The ITLS course is widely accepted internationally as the standard for prehospital trauma care training, focusing on practical skills and scenario-based learning. Practice with the free ITLS - International Trauma Life Support practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (200+ questions with answer explanations).
- The ITLS Provider course written exam consists of 50 questions. (International Trauma Life Support)
- The ITLS written exam allows a maximum of 1 hour. (International Trauma Life Support)
- The ITLS Provider written exam requires a grade of at least 74% to pass, and a chapter or training centre may set a higher score. (International Trauma Life Support)
- ITLS students may not retest to raise a passing grade, a retest is scheduled within 6 weeks, and students who fail both the written and patient assessment tests must repeat the course. (International Trauma Life Support)
- Most ITLS Provider cards are issued for a 3-year certification period. (International Trauma Life Support)
- ITLS Provider recertification students must also take the ITLS written exam as part of the course. (International Trauma Life Support)
- The ITLS Provider course is hands-on and ends with a written exam and a practical patient assessment exam. (International Trauma Life Support)
- The ITLS Basic Provider course is for EMS personnel who cannot perform advanced procedures. (International Trauma Life Support)
Facts verified Oct 19, 2026 against International Trauma Life Support. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
ITLS Exam at a Glance
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 50 questions | International Trauma Life Support |
| Time limit | 1 hour | International Trauma Life Support |
| Passing score | 74% minimum on the written exam | International Trauma Life Support |
| Retake policy | No retest to raise a grade; a failed patient assessment test is retested within 6 weeks | International Trauma Life Support |
| Validity | Usually 3 years | International Trauma Life Support |
| Renewal | Recertification course including the written exam | International Trauma Life Support |
| Delivery | Hands-on course with written and practical exams | International Trauma Life Support |
| Eligibility (Basic Provider) | EMS personnel who cannot perform advanced procedures | International Trauma Life Support |
Facts verified Oct 19, 2026 against International Trauma Life Support. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Free ITLS - International Trauma Life Support Study Tools
Interactive ITLS - International Trauma Life Support resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
- Free ITLS Adult Basic Questions and Answers 1 — 11 questions with instant scoring and answer explanations
- ITLS - International Trauma Life Support flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
- ITLS - International Trauma Life Support study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
- ITLS - International Trauma Life Support cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review
ITLS Practice Test Questions
Prepare for the ITLS - International Trauma Life Support exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
ITLS Adult Advanced Questions and Answers
ITLS Exam Questions covering Adult Advanced Questions and Answers. Master ITLS Test concepts for certification prep.
ITLS Exam Flashcards
Quick review for ITLS certification concepts
🚑What is the primary goal of the ITLS Primary Survey?
To identify and immediately manage life-threatening conditions.
START ITLS PRACTICE TEST🌬️When is a nasopharyngeal airway contraindicated?
In patients with suspected basilar skull fractures or mid-face trauma.
🩸What are the signs of decompensated shock?
Hypotension (falling blood pressure), altered mental status, and weak pulse.
START ITLS REVIEWER QUIZ🦴How should a flail chest be managed in the field?
Ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation; positive pressure ventilation if needed.
ITLS CERTIFICATION PRACTICE TEST🧠What does GCS measure?
Glasgow Coma Scale measures Eye opening, Verbal response, and Motor response.
START ITLS MOCK EXAM💉What is the indication for needle decompression?
Tension pneumothorax with signs of respiratory distress and hemodynamic instability.
PRACTICE ITLS TEST NOWITLS Exam Study Guide
This ITLS study guide helps you navigate the requirements and content of the ITLS certification. Use these tabs to understand the ITLS course format, registration, and what to expect during ITLS testing.
Review the ITLS powerpoint slides provided during your course. The ITLS testing scenarios often mirror the case studies discussed in class. Focus on the primary survey sequence!
ITLS Score Calculator
Total Scored Questions
50
35 out of 50 correct
70%
Required to Pass: ~70% (Estimated)
Many EMS agencies and hospitals will cover the ITLS course cost for their employees. Check with your training officer about reimbursement options.
ITLS Test Day Checklist
- ✓Valid Photo ID
- ✓ITLS Textbook (9th Ed)
- ✓Pre-test Certificate
- ✓Comfortable Clothes
- ✓Notepad & Pen
- ✓Lunch/Snacks
- ✓Stethoscope (Optional)
- ✓Arrive 15 Mins Early
Master ITLS Trauma Care
Get ready for your certification with our comprehensive ITLS practice test. Review ITLS advanced and basic concepts to pass with confidence.
ITLS Renewal Requirements
Validity
3 Years
Course
1-Day Refresher
Exam Written
+ Skills
Check with your local chapter about grace periods. Usually, if your ITLS certification has expired, you may need to take the full 2-day course again instead of the refresher.
ITLS: Pros and Cons
- +ITLS exam preparation strengthens your knowledge across all domains
- +Passing the exam proves competency to employers and clients
- +Study materials and practice tests are widely available
- +Exam-based credentials are portable across states and employers
- +Clear exam objectives help focus your study plan effectively
- −Exam anxiety can affect performance — practice tests help reduce it
- −Registration fees are non-refundable if you miss your test date
- −Limited retake opportunities may apply with waiting periods
- −Exam content updates periodically — use current study materials
- −Testing center availability may require advance scheduling
Pros and Cons at a Glance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ITLS exam preparation strengthens your knowledge across all domains | Exam anxiety can affect performance — practice tests help reduce it |
| Passing the exam proves competency to employers and clients | Registration fees are non-refundable if you miss your test date |
| Study materials and practice tests are widely available | Limited retake opportunities may apply with waiting periods |
| Exam-based credentials are portable across states and employers | Exam content updates periodically — use current study materials |
| Clear exam objectives help focus your study plan effectively | Testing center availability may require advance scheduling |
Sample ITLS - International Trauma Life Support Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free ITLS - International Trauma Life Support practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
At what gestational age does ITLS recommend performing a perimortem cesarean section in a pregnant patient in cardiac arrest, and what is the goal?
- A. Only at full term (40 weeks)
- B. At approximately 23-24 weeks viable gestation, ideally within 4-5 minutes of arrest, to both save the fetus and improve maternal resuscitation by relieving aortocaval compression
- C. Only after 30 minutes of unsuccessful CPR
- D. Perimortem cesarean section is never performed prehospitally
Answer: B. At approximately 23-24 weeks viable gestation, ideally within 4-5 minutes of arrest, to both save the fetus and improve maternal resuscitation by relieving aortocaval compression
Perimortem cesarean section is recommended at ≥23-24 weeks gestational age, with delivery within 4-5 minutes of cardiac arrest. The dual purpose is fetal survival and improvement of maternal hemodynamics by relieving aortocaval compression.
Which of the following is a key component of the ITLS Secondary Survey?
- A. A rapid head-to-toe check for life-threatening injuries.
- B. Obtaining a SAMPLE history.
- C. Assessing airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs).
- D. Determining the patient's level of consciousness using AVPU.
Answer: B. Obtaining a SAMPLE history.
The ITLS Secondary Survey is a more detailed, systematic head-to-toe examination performed after the primary survey and immediate life-saving interventions are complete. A critical part of this survey is gathering a patient history using the AMPLE or SAMPLE mnemonic (Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, Events leading to injury).
During the ITLS Primary Survey of a trauma patient, which of the following is the correct and immediate action for an identified airway obstruction?
- A. Continue the survey to assess breathing and circulation.
- B. Immediately intervene to clear the obstruction before proceeding.
- C. Complete the full primary survey and then address the airway.
- D. Apply a cervical collar and move to the breathing assessment.
Answer: B. Immediately intervene to clear the obstruction before proceeding.
The ITLS Primary Survey protocol dictates that it should only be interrupted for scene safety issues, airway obstruction, or cardiac arrest. A compromised airway is an immediate life threat that must be managed before any other assessment or intervention continues.
A 28-year-old male has a deep, actively bleeding laceration to his right upper arm after an industrial accident. Direct pressure has failed to control the severe arterial bleeding. What is the most appropriate next step according to ITLS guidelines?
- A. Apply a hemostatic agent and continue direct pressure.
- B. Immediately apply a tourniquet proximal to the wound.
- C. Initiate rapid transport and apply pressure during transit.
- D. Establish IV access and begin rapid fluid resuscitation.
Answer: B. Immediately apply a tourniquet proximal to the wound.
For life-threatening extremity hemorrhage that is not controlled by direct pressure, the immediate application of a tourniquet is the next critical intervention to stop the blood loss. ITLS emphasizes a 'C-ABC' approach, prioritizing catastrophic hemorrhage control before airway and breathing.
Take the full ITLS - International Trauma Life Support practice test
ITLS Questions and Answers
Official Resources
- International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) is the organization that publishes the ITLS curriculum and manages course listings, instructors, and provider certification.
- ITLS Provider Course is the official course page, describing 8 hours of didactic instruction, 8 hours of hands-on skills training, and testing for ITLS Basic or Advanced.
- CAPCE (Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education) is the body that accredits EMS continuing education, useful for checking whether a course counts toward your recertification hours.
How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- itrauma.org — Renewal, score validity, eligibility, test delivery, exam format, retake policy, passing score, time limit · verified Oct 2026