To get both ACLS and BLS certifications, you should enroll in an American Heart Association (AHA)-approved training center that offers both courses. Typically, students complete the BLS course first, as it covers essential CPR and emergency basics, followed by the ACLS course, which focuses on advanced life support skills. After completing the training and passing the skills and written exams, you will receive certification cards for both ACLS and BLS, each valid for two years.
Yes, many training centers allow you to take ACLS and BLS courses together. This combined approach saves time and ensures you are certified in both basic and advanced life support. Completing both courses not only meets most hospital and healthcare job requirements but also strengthens your emergency response skills.
Both ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) and BLS (Basic Life Support) certifications are typically valid for two years from the date of issue.
After two years, you’ll need to renew or recertify by taking a refresher or renewal course, which is usually shorter than the initial training. Renewal ensures your skills stay up to date with the latest AHA (American Heart Association) guidelines.
Here’s an overview of BLS and ACLS training costs in India, based on recent data:
| Course Type | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|
| BLS only | ₹1,250 – ₹4,900 |
| ACLS only | ₹5,500 – ₹10,000+ |
| Combined BLS + ACLS | ₹8,250 – ₹13,000+ |
Note: All figures are in Indian Rupees (INR) and may vary by location and provider - even within the same city.
Insights
Yes, BLS (Basic Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) are both professional healthcare certifications.
BLS Certification: Focuses on essential lifesaving skills like CPR, AED use, and basic emergency response for adults, children, and infants. It’s usually required for all healthcare providers, including nurses, doctors, and paramedics.
ACLS Certification: Builds on BLS skills and adds advanced techniques such as managing cardiac arrest, stroke, and other life-threatening emergencies with medications, ECG interpretation, and advanced airway management. It is mainly required for doctors, anesthetists, critical care staff, and advanced emergency responders.
Both certifications are typically issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) or other recognized training bodies and are valid for two years.
Yes, you can do BLS (Basic Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) at the same time. In fact, many training centers offer a combined course package where you complete both certifications together.
Usually, BLS is taught first, since it covers the fundamental lifesaving skills that ACLS builds upon. After finishing BLS, you can move directly into ACLS training, which focuses on advanced skills like ECG interpretation, medications, and team-based resuscitation.
Doing them together is often more time-efficient and sometimes cost-effective, especially for healthcare professionals who need both certifications for hospital or clinical requirements.
ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) can feel challenging at first, but it is not too difficult to learn if you prepare well.
It builds on BLS knowledge, so having strong CPR and basic emergency response skills makes it much easier.
The course covers advanced topics like ECG interpretation, emergency medications, and managing cardiac arrest or stroke, which may feel complex if you’re new to them.
Most learners find it manageable because the training combines theory, hands-on practice, and scenario-based learning.
With proper preparation and focus, healthcare professionals from nursing students to experienced doctors successfully complete ACLS certification.
In short: ACLS is challenging but achievable—especially if you review BLS skills and study ECG basics before the course.
Study tips guide for ACLS to make it easier for learners.
For both BLS (Basic Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) certifications:
BLS Passing Score: You need to score at least 84% on the written test (usually 25 questions). You must also successfully demonstrate hands-on CPR and AED skills.
ACLS Passing Score: You need at least 84% on the written exam (usually 50 questions). In addition, you must pass the practical skills evaluation, which includes managing simulated emergency scenarios.
Simply put: 84% is the minimum passing score for both BLS and ACLS, along with demonstrating skills in practice sessions.
No, BLS (Basic Life Support) does not fall under ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) - they are separate certifications, but they are closely related.
BLS is the foundation: it teaches CPR, AED use, and basic emergency response for adults, children, and infants.
ACLS builds on BLS skills and adds advanced techniques like ECG interpretation, emergency medications, and management of complex cardiac emergencies.
In short: BLS is a prerequisite for ACLS, not a part of it. You usually need to complete BLS before or along with ACLS.
Yes, online ACLS certification can be valid - but only if it is done through an American Heart Association (AHA)-approved provider or another recognized accrediting body.
Here’s how it usually works:
Many centers offer a blended learning option: you complete the theory part online and then attend an in-person skills session with an instructor to demonstrate CPR, airway management, and emergency response.
A fully online ACLS course without hands-on testing is generally not accepted by most hospitals and healthcare employers.
To ensure your certificate is valid, always check that the course is AHA-certified and includes a hands-on skills assessment.
Neither course is “better” - ACLS and BLS serve different purposes, and the right one depends on your role and career needs:
BLS (Basic Life Support)
Focuses on CPR, AED use, and basic emergency care.
Essential for all healthcare providers, including nurses, medical students, and first responders.
It is the foundation course and often a prerequisite for ACLS.
ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
Builds on BLS by teaching advanced emergency care like ECG interpretation, use of medications, and managing cardiac arrest or stroke.
Required mainly for doctors, anesthetists, critical care staff, and advanced emergency providers.
It is more specialized and assumes you already know BLS.
In short:
BLS is the starting point - everyone in healthcare needs it.
ACLS is the advanced step - better for professionals working in emergency or critical care.
Rapid-Growth Jobs Where BLS Certification Is Valuable
Several healthcare roles that commonly require or benefit from BLS certification are experiencing strong job growth:
Home Health Aides & Personal Care Aides
These job categories are among the healthcare sector’s fastest-growing roles. In fact, home health and personal care aides are projected to grow by approximately 20–21%, adding over 820,000 new jobs between 2023 and 2033.
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
Although not the top-growing health profession, EMTs—who typically need a BLS certification—are still in strong demand. EMT employment is expected to grow around 6.1%–6.7%, reflecting steady opportunities with just post-secondary or certification-level training.
Healthcare support occupations - a group that includes BLS-qualified professionals - are seeing explosive growth overall:
These roles are projected to grow at around 15–23% over the next decade, far outpacing the average growth across all occupations.
The growth in support roles is driven largely by an aging population and increased healthcare needs, including in-home care.
| Role | Projected Growth | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide | ~20–21% (2023–2033) | Massive job creation—ideal for BLS holders |
| Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) | ~6% | Solid growth with certification-level entry |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | ~15–23% overall | BLS is commonly required or helpful |
The highest job growth among BLS-relevant roles is expected in home health and personal care aide positions, with around 20–21% growth projected over the next decade. Among such certified roles, EMTs also see steady, positive growth.
The qualification requirements for BLS (Basic Life Support) are simple and flexible, making it accessible to a wide range of people:
Educational Requirement: There is no minimum educational qualification required to take a BLS course.
Who Can Enroll:
Healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, paramedics, medical students, dentists, etc.)
Non-healthcare individuals (teachers, corporate staff, fitness trainers, lifeguards, or anyone interested in learning CPR and emergency care).
Prerequisite Knowledge: No prior medical knowledge is needed, although healthcare providers often take it as part of their training.
In short: Anyone can take a BLS course, but it is mandatory for healthcare professionals working in hospitals and emergency settings.
Costs cover expert instructors, training materials, and specialized equipment for skills practice.
Some hospitals reimburse costs, but official AHA courses themselves aren’t free.
Yes, AHA certifications are recognized globally in most hospitals.
Yes, but online-only may not meet AHA requirements or employer standards.
Absolutely AHA certification is the most widely accepted and trusted globally.
It depends. Some providers issue online-only certifications, but most hospitals prefer AHA-approved blended training with a skills test.
Blended combines online learning with an in-person skills test, while online-only is fully digital and may lack hands-on validation.
Yes, but AHA still requires a skills check for renewal.
Online portion: ~4–6 hours.
In-person skills session: ~2–3 hours.
Blended training is best for new learners since it includes hands-on practice and instructor feedback.
It can be challenging due to ECG interpretation and algorithms, but with practice, most providers pass on the first try.
Most centers require 84% on the written exam plus a successful megacode performance.
Yes, but you usually get a chance to retake the test after remediation.
Yes. They are central to both the written test and the megacode.
You’ll receive feedback, review weak areas, and typically retest the same day or later.
Both are valid for 2 years from the date of issue.
No. Once expired, you must retake the full course.
Yes. BLS renewal is ~2–3 hours. ACLS renewal is ~1 day instead of 2.
Yes, theory can be done online, but you must complete a skills check in person for certification validity.
Best practice is 30–60 days before expiration.
BLS takes about 3–4 hours. ACLS usually requires 1–2 days depending on the provider.
Yes. ACLS is more advanced, covering ECG rhythms, medications, and algorithms, while BLS focuses on CPR and AED use.
Yes. You must be proficient in BLS to succeed in ACLS, and many centers require a valid BLS card before ACLS.
You can complete theory online, but both require an in-person skills check for certification validity.
Both are valid for 2 years and must be renewed before expiration.
No. ACLS assumes BLS proficiency but does not include BLS certification or a full BLS curriculum.
Often yes. Many training centers and employers require a current BLS card for ACLS enrollment or compliance.
Renew BLS first. It prevents enrollment issues and ensures you’re ready to perform high-quality CPR during ACLS.
Many employers require recognized courses that include a hands-on skills component. Verify provider acceptance before enrolling.
Typically 2 years each. Plan renewals early to avoid lapses.
No. You are expected to be proficient in BLS skills before taking ACLS. Some training centers may even require a valid BLS card.
ACLS is more complex because it involves ECGs, medications, and case-based scenarios. BLS is straightforward but must be mastered first.
Both are valid for 2 years. After that, you must take a renewal course.
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The AHA strongly promotes knowledge and proficiency in all AHA courses and has developed instructional materials for this purpose. Use of these materials in an educational course does not represent course sponsorship by the AHA. Any fees charged for such a course, except for a portion of fees needed for AHA course materials, do not represent income to the AHA.
