ACLS Expired? Here’s What You Need to Do
You’ve worked hard, studied harder, and achieved your Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification. Unfortunately, life got busy, or maybe you were in between positions, lost track of time, and inadvertently let that certificate expire. Now what?
You’re certainly not the only one who forgets their ACLS expiration date. While it’s always better to recertify before your expiration date, getting reinstated isn’t that big a deal.
If you’re wondering what your options are and how long ACLS certification is good for, here are a few tips to get you pointed in the right direction.
H2: When and Why Do ACLS Certificates Expire?
Once a healthcare professional becomes ACLS certified, they must renew that certification every 2 years.
This rule is in place to ensure that certificate holders remain current with all the new protocol guidelines that are set by the American Heart Association (AHA). The AHA renews these guidelines every 5 years, with the most recent update occurring in 2020.
Certification and recertification courses must adhere to these updated guidelines to remain compliant.
Once you reach the 2-year ACLS certification expiration date, there is no grace period, and the certificate officially expires.
H3: I missed the window, and my certificate expired. Now what?
One of the most common questions we get about ACLS certification, apart from how long it is good for, is whether it’s necessary to certify all over again or if a recertification course will suffice.
The good news is that even if your ACLS certification expiration date has passed, you should still be eligible to take a recertification course.
Doing so is much easier and less expensive than starting from scratch. The amount of time that has passed since your certification expired should not be a factor, and you’ll receive the same card as you did when you completed the initial course.
However, not all providers have this policy.
Some providers will require you to take the certification course if your ACLS card has expired. If you don't choose us as your ACLS provider, check with the provider to ensure your recertification will be valid.
H3: What are my options for recertifying?
When it comes to recertifying an ACLS certification past its expiration date, you have plenty of options.
In addition to traditional classroom settings, you can recertify your ACLS online anytime from anywhere using any device.
Most busy healthcare professionals prefer this option for obvious reasons. It’s much more conducive to their fluctuating schedules. Additionally, since there are no overhead costs associated with online recertification, it’s much more cost-effective than in-class certifications.
H3: My certificate is expiring soon. What should I do?
Knowing how long ACLS certification is good for allows you to plan ahead. For instance, if your ACLS certification is still valid but nearing its expiration date, it’s always best to recertify before then to avoid a lapse.
The good news is with online recertification, you can enroll, complete the coursework, and take the test as soon as you’re ready. There’s no waiting, and you won’t be limited by someone else’s schedule like when you would in a traditional classroom setting.
Has your ACLS expired? Or is it getting close to that deadline, and you want to get ahead of the game? You can recertify today with ProMed Certifications. It’s fast, easy and affordable. Don’t wait – recertify today!
