Online ACLS Certification – Frequently Asked Questions

Obtaining your Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification via traditional methods, like sitting in a classroom for hours on end, can be a challenge for a number of reasons.

Thankfully, a growing number of hospitals and health care facilities are now allowing their employees to complete their ACLS certification right online. This is a much easier and more convenient alternative to in-person courses. It’s also typically less expensive, so not only will you save time and aggravation, but you’ll also save money.

Despite these benefits, however, savvy individuals seeking their medical certification and/or recertification should be careful to do their homework when it comes to choosing an online provider and course.

Having successfully assisted thousands of individuals obtain their credentials via our online ACLS certification / recertification program, we’ve been asked plenty of questions over the years - many of which are relatively common.

To save you time and help you make a more informed decision, here are some answers to our most frequently asked questions.

Will I be required to take a skills assessment?

Due to the virtual nature of online coursework, a personal skills assessment is not a requirement in order to obtain your ACLS certification via the web. This doesn’t mean that you won’t learn everything you need to know in order to perform advanced life support on a patient.

Provided you select a program that is comprehensive, like ProMed, you will receive access to all of the same material as an in-person course (ours was designed by experienced medical professionals).

And because the course isn’t crammed into one or two days, you’ll have more time to comprehend and commit to memory everything you’ll need to know to pass your test and become certified.

Will I receive an AHA provider card?

Simply put, if you do not take a formal AHA course, you will not receive an AHA provider card. The main difference between an AHA-sponsored course and an online program is the in-person skills assessment, which is not required for an online certification.

The good news is, the vast majority of employers do not mandate AHA cards and are satisfied with the provider card obtained via the online ACLS course.

The key is to choose a company that offers coursework in line with the latest AHA and ILCOR guidelines and one that backs up their certifications with some type of guarantee (we offer 100% money-back).

Is there a time limit for the courses and/or exams?

One of the nicest things about online ACLS certification is that it enables you to move through the material at your own pace.

Unlike in-person training, which requires that you attend a class at a certain date and for a specified number of hours, you can study and test for your online certification any time, from anywhere. This is great for people who are already working and/or have other obligations that make it difficult to schedule entire blocks of time.

It’s also ideal for those who need to study longer or prefer not to be timed while testing.

What if I don’t pass the exam?

This is one area where we strongly recommend being selective about the provider with whom you choose to work. That’s because some programs, like ours, offer unlimited test retakes.

So, if by chance, you happen to struggle and miss the mark the first or any number of subsequent tries, you can simply retake the test until you pass. There is no limit, no waiting period in between retries and no need to pay anything additional.

What we’ve discovered with many of our students is that simply knowing that this is an option eliminates much of the pressure and actually makes it easier to pass the first time.

What happens when I do pass my exam?

Once you’ve successfully passed your ACLS certification or recertification exam, you’ll have the opportunity to review your results. This can be helpful in learning what your strengths are as well as which areas where additional studying/practice might be warranted.

Upon completion of your exam, you will also receive your provider card (ours is instant and printable).

Lastly, if you are obtaining CME credits with your course, you may also need to complete a few additional steps.

How long will it take to receive a hard copy of my provider card?

As mentioned, when you work with ProMed, you’ll get instant access to your credentials, which you can download, print and give to your employer immediately.

Following this, we will also mail out a physical copy of your provider card right away, which you should receive within three to five business days. There is no additional cost for this.

How long will my ACLS certification be valid?

Just as with in-person courses, online ACLS certification and recertification is valid for a period of 2 years. Once your certification is expired, you will be required to recertify for an additional period of 2 years each time.

One unique feature we offer here at ProMed Certifications is the option of Flex Expire. This enables you to select the issue date for when you want your certification period to begin (any time in the subsequent 30 days). So, if you are proactive and take your exam early, you can still get the full two year certification with no overlap.

Will I receive CME/CMU credits with an online ACLS course?

Another sweet benefit of online ACLS certification is that not only do you have the flexibility to earn your credentials at a time, place and pace of your choice, but you also have the option to earn continuing education credits at the same time. So, you can essentially kill two birds with one stone.

Just be sure to check with the provider you’re considering to see what, if any, credits they offer. ProMed Certifications, for instance, offers eight CEU/CME credits with certification and six with recertification.

What if my employer doesn’t accept my provider card?

As mentioned, the vast majority of employers now fully accept online medical certifications. If, for some strange reason, yours does not, you don’t have to worry – as long as you choose the right partner.

For instance, ProMed guarantees employer acceptance or you’ll receive 100% of your money back. This provides peace of mind and demonstrates our confidence in the program and coursework we provide. Really – what do you have to lose?

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