American Heart Association Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) training is designed for healthcare professionals who participate in the management of adult cardiac arrest, peri-arrest conditions, and other life-threatening cardiovascular emergencies. Life Saving Education offers classroom, renewal/update, and HeartCode ACLS pathways so clinicians can choose the format that matches their employer, hospital, school, or credentialing requirement.
The current American Heart Association Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) program reflects the 2025 American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) builds on a strong BLS foundation and emphasizes high-quality CPR, effective team performance, rhythm recognition, electrical therapy, airway and ventilation management, pharmacology, and coordinated care of critically ill adult patients.
Choose the Right Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Option
AHA Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Provider
The AHA ACLS Provider course is the primary option for healthcare professionals who need a full ACLS provider course. It is commonly selected by physicians, nurses, paramedics, respiratory therapists, advanced practice clinicians, and other professionals who may participate in advanced adult resuscitation.
ACLS Update or Renewal
The AHA ACLS Update / Renewal course is intended for experienced learners who already have a foundation in ACLS knowledge and skills. Update courses move quickly and are not the best choice for every learner. LSE may recommend the full provider course when a participant needs more review or when an employer specifically requires a full course.
HeartCode ACLS Hands-On Skills Session
HeartCode ACLS is the AHA blended-learning pathway. Students complete the required online cognitive portion and then attend a HeartCode ACLS hands-on skills session to complete the applicable skills and testing requirements.
ACLS Instructor Development
Experienced ACLS providers interested in teaching can review AHA ACLS Instructor Development. Instructor status requires completion of the applicable instructor-development and Training Center requirements in addition to maintaining provider-level competence.
What ACLS Training Emphasizes
ACLS is not simply memorizing algorithms. Effective advanced resuscitation depends on recognizing deterioration, performing excellent BLS, assigning roles, communicating clearly, and applying advanced interventions in the correct clinical context. Course activities may address:
- high-quality CPR and integration of BLS into advanced resuscitation;
- recognition and management of cardiac-arrest rhythms;
- defibrillation, synchronized cardioversion, and transcutaneous pacing concepts;
- management of bradycardia and tachycardia with a pulse;
- airway, ventilation, and oxygenation strategies;
- medication use within ACLS algorithms;
- post-cardiac-arrest care concepts;
- acute coronary syndrome and stroke-related course content; and
- team leadership, communication, and case-based performance.
The exact curriculum, testing process, and required course materials follow the current AHA ACLS program used for the class.
Who Usually Takes ACLS?
ACLS is commonly required or requested by healthcare professionals who may participate in advanced adult resuscitation, including:
- emergency and critical-care nurses;
- physicians and advanced practice clinicians;
- paramedics and advanced prehospital providers;
- respiratory therapists;
- hospital rapid-response and code-team members;
- perioperative and procedural-area clinicians; and
- healthcare students or employees whose program specifically requires ACLS.
The organization imposing the requirement decides which ACLS format it will accept. If your employer, school, or clinical site gives you a specific course requirement, verify it before registering.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Provider vs. HeartCode ACLS
Both pathways lead toward the applicable AHA ACLS course-completion requirements, but the learning experience is different. A classroom provider course keeps the cognitive and hands-on portions within instructor-led training. HeartCode allows the learner to complete the online cognitive portion before attending the required hands-on component.
HeartCode should not be treated as an online-only substitute for required ACLS hands-on skills. Students should bring the documentation required for their skills session and verify that the online course they completed matches the scheduled session.
ACLS Course Completion Card
Students who successfully complete the applicable AHA ACLS requirements receive an ACLS Provider course completion eCard that is valid for two years. Course completion does not create a professional license or expand a clinician’s scope of practice. Participants must continue to practice under applicable law, employer policy, and medical direction.
Prepare for ACLS Before Class
ACLS is easier to learn when BLS skills, rhythm recognition, pharmacology, and core algorithms are already familiar. Review our ACLS Precourse Checklist before class. Complete all assigned precourse work, confirm any required assessment or online component, and arrive ready to participate in team-based scenarios.
Onsite ACLS Training for Healthcare Teams
Hospitals, clinics, EMS organizations, procedural practices, and other healthcare employers can request private or onsite ACLS training. Group scheduling can help coordinate multiple employees, shifts, or departments while keeping training tied to realistic team communication and resuscitation performance.
Visit Onsite Group Training for planning information, or use the training request page to request a class.
Frequently Asked Questions About ACLS
Do I need BLS before ACLS?
ACLS builds on BLS skills and assumes the learner can perform high-quality CPR and basic resuscitation tasks. Follow the specific prerequisites established by the course, Training Center, employer, or school.
Is HeartCode ACLS completely online?
No. HeartCode is a blended-learning pathway. The online component is followed by the required hands-on skills session.
How long is the ACLS course-completion card valid?
The AHA ACLS Provider course completion eCard is valid for two years after successful completion.
Should I take the full provider course or the update course?
Choose the option required by your employer or program and appropriate to your current knowledge. Learners who need more review may benefit from the full provider course.
Find Your ACLS Class
Review the ACLS Provider course, choose an ACLS Update / Renewal course, schedule a HeartCode ACLS skills session, check the class schedule, or contact LSE for help selecting the correct option.