ACLS certification—and recertification, for that matter—affects countless individuals working in the healthcare industry in both the United States and elsewhere around the world. Because ACLS quite literally deals with matters of life and death, making sure that you are currently ACLS will be very important.

According to the American Heart Association, ACLS certification is “For healthcare professionals who either direct or participate in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest or other cardiovascular emergencies and for personnel in emergency response.” In other words, in the event that someone has a heart attack or any other cardiovascular emergency, it will be the responsibility of those who are ACLS certified to issue the proper course of care.

In the United States, a heart attack occurs approximately every 40 seconds. Furthermore, 335,000 people will have their first heart attack in any given year (720,000 will have a heart attack of any kind). Clearly, heart attacks are quite common. Approximately 14 percent of all heart attacks will either directly or indirectly kill the victim. With proper care and safety procedures in place, the risks attached to a heart attack can be significantly reduced.

The importance of ACLS and other certifications (such as PALS, BLS, and others) is widely recognized by almost everyone involved in the medical field. But while the importance of getting and maintaining your certification may be clear, you might find yourself unsure which ACLS certification options will make the most sense for you. In this article, we will discuss eight things to keep in mind when comparing the various options you have available.

1. ACLS Certification Must be Renewed Every Two Years

If you are in the medical industry, it can be easy to lose track of the many different certifications and continuing education programs that are required by either the federal government or the organizations setting rules for your discipline. ACLS Certification must take place every two years, meaning that this is something you’ll want to pay close attention to. Planning your certification well in advance will help you avoid having to go through a last-minute time crunch.

2. ACLS Training is Required for Some, but Not All, Individuals in Healthcare

ACLS is required for many individuals involved in the medical industry, but—depending on where you work—there will still be some positions that are ultimately exempt. However, these individuals may still be required to complete advanced CPR or other related courses. If you are unsure whether ACLS certification is a required part of your job, be sure to speak directly with your supervisor. Even if the certification is optional, it is certainly beneficial information to have.

3. ACLS Recertification Classes Cover Many Different Skillsets

If you have never taken an ACLS recertification exam before, you may not know exactly what to expect. Generally speaking, these courses will be very similar to the original course that you took. Topics can include things such as how to use an AED and other life-saving devices, proper airway management, how to recognize a cardiovascular emergency, related pharmacology, and many others. Having a strong sense of familiarity with these topics may end up saving someone’s life.

4. There Are Many Benefits of Choosing an Online Course

While ACLS training is often available in person (and may even be offered directly at your workplace), there are plenty of other options available as well. ACLS training can usually be completed online, which offers a plethora of advantages. Not only will you be able to work from the comfort of your own home, but you may even be able to reduce the costs (and opportunity costs) of taking the class.

5. Look for ACLS Courses that Allow you to go at your Own Pace

One of the biggest advantages of ACLS online courses is that most of these courses will allow you to work at your own pace. This is especially valuable for busy medical professionals who, in addition to working more than 40 hours per week, are forced to juggle various other aspects of their lives. Furthermore, being able to breeze through the things you are familiar with while also being able to spend more time on things that are unfamiliar will help you use your time as efficiently as possible.

6. Different Courses will Have Different Requirements for Passing

While most online ACLS courses will be quite comparable to one another, the exact definition of what constitutes a passing score will depend on where, exactly, you are taking the course. In some cases, a grade of 32/40 (80 percent) will be considered passing, while others may require a 45/60 (75 percent). Regardless, most online programs will allow you to keep taking the test until you’ve finally passed.

7. Not All ACLS Certification Courses are the Same

Beyond the scoring discrepancies, there are still quite a few other differences between courses that will be worth paying attention to. For example, while the best ACLS recertification courses will allow you to pause the course whenever you want, others may require you to complete entire sections of the course at once. You should also look at things such as the number of continuing education credits each of these courses provides (the standard is 4 credits, but this can still vary by course provider).

8. There are Many Ways to Save on ACLS Recertification Classes

Though most ACLS recertification courses fall within a similar price range (about $110-$200 per course), there is enough variation within the industry that you’ll want to compare multiple different options. Signing up in groups, shopping during sales, bundling various courses (pediatric courses, for example), and buying in advance are all ways that you can potentially reduce the cost of ACLS recertification. If you are paying more than $129 for a given course, you can probably find a better deal elsewhere.

Conclusion - 8 Things to Keep in Mind When Comparing ACLS Recertification Courses

Your ACLS recertification course may be something you simply want to get over with, but its importance should not be ignored. When comparing your available options, be sure to choose a proven service that has the flexibility (and features) needed to work around your busy schedule. Once you have your proof of recertification in hand, you’ll be glad you took the time to compare the various options available.

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8 Things to Keep in Mind When Comparing Online ACLS Recertification Programs