AHA Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) - Initial

The American Heart Association’s Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) course builds on the foundation of lifesaving BLS skills, emphasizing the importance of high-performance teams. The 2025 ACLS course reflects the new 2025 science and education from the American Heart Association Guidelines Update for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC).
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

Who should take this course?

For healthcare professionals who either direct or participate in the management of cardiac arrest, stroke, or other cardiopulmonary emergencies. This includes personnel in emergency response, emergency medicine, critical care/intensive care, and surgery such as Physicians, Nurses, and Paramedics, as well as others who need an ACLS course completion card for a job or other requirement.

What does this course teach?

Systematic approach (assessment)
High-quality BLS
Airway management
Rhythm recognition
Defibrillation
Intravenous (IV)/intraosseous (IO) access (information only)
Use of medications
Cardioversion
Transcutaneous pacing
High-performance teams

Course Completion Card
Upon completion of all course requirements, participants receive an ACLS Provider Course Completion Card which is valid for two years.

Continuing Education
For ACLS Provider, the American Heart Association offers EMS CE only.