Where to Put BLS Certification on Your Resume
Put your BLS (Basic Life Support) certification in a dedicated Certifications or Licenses & Certifications section, placed after your work experience and before education. If you have only one or two certifications, you can add it to your education section instead. The location matters less than making it visible—hiring managers in healthcare, childcare, and emergency services scan for this credential specifically, so it should not be buried in a paragraph or footnote.
If your BLS is current and directly required for the job you are explore for, some recruiters prefer seeing it near the top, right after your summary or contact information. Check the job posting: if BLS is listed as a requirement, treat it as a priority credential and place it accordingly.
Key Takeaways
- List your BLS certification in its own section labeled "Certifications" or "Licenses & Certifications," placed after work experience and before education.
- Include the full certification name (Basic Life Support), the issuing organization (American Heart Association or Red Cross), and your certification number and expiration date.
- Use the exact job title from your certification card—do not abbreviate or paraphrase—so applicant tracking systems can match it to job requirements.
- Update your resume when ready when your BLS expires or renews, since many employers check certification status before hiring.
What Information to Include
Write out the full name of your certification: Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, not just "BLS." Follow it with the issuing organization in parentheses—either the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross, depending on which one trained and certified you. Check your certification card to confirm the exact name.
Add your certification number and expiration date on the same line or the line below. The format looks like this:
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification — American Heart Association Certification #: 123456789 | Expires: March 15, 2026
Including the expiration date is critical. Employers in healthcare and childcare verify that certifications are current before the first day of work. If your certification has expired, do not list it—instead, note that you are recertified or scheduled to recertify by a specific date if that is true.
How to Format a Certifications Section
Create a section heading in the same font and style as your other section headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills). Use a consistent format for all certifications you list. Here is a standard layout:
| Certification Name | Issuing Organization | Expiration Date |
| Basic Life Support (BLS) | American Heart Association | March 2026 |
| Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) | American Heart Association | July 2025 |
If you have only one certification, you do not need a table—a straightforward line or two is cleaner. If you have three or more, a table or bulleted list keeps the section organized and straightforward to scan.
When BLS Should Be Prominent
If you are explore for a nursing position, paramedic role, emergency room technician, or any job where BLS is a stated requirement, place your certifications section higher on the page—directly after your professional summary or contact information. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) scan resumes for required keywords, and BLS is one of them.
For positions where BLS is preferred but not required, your standard placement (after experience, before education) is fine. The hiring manager will still see it, and you are not artificially inflating its importance.
Updating Your Resume When Certification Changes
Set a calendar reminder three months before your BLS expires. When you renew, update your resume when ready with the new expiration date and certification number. Many employers run background checks that include certification verification, and an outdated date can delay a job offer or raise questions during the hiring process.
If your certification has lapsed and you have not yet renewed, remove it from your resume. Do not write "expired" or "lapsed"—that raises red flags. Once you complete recertification, add it back with the new date. If you are in the middle of recertifying and have a scheduled class, you can note "Recertification scheduled for [month/year]" only if the job posting specifically asks about pending certifications.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not abbreviate BLS as your only identifier. Spell out "Basic Life Support" at least once so that applicant tracking systems and human readers both recognize it. Some systems search for the full phrase, not the acronym.
Do not list BLS in your skills section instead of your certifications section. Skills and certifications are different—skills are abilities you have developed, while certifications are credentials issued by a third party. Mixing them confuses the structure of your resume.
Do not omit the issuing organization. American Heart Association and Red Cross certifications are both valid, but employers may have a preference, and they need to know which one trained you. The organization also matters for verification purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include my BLS certification number on my resume?
Yes, include it. Employers and background check companies use the certification number to verify that your credential is real and current. Write it clearly so there is no confusion if someone needs to look it up.
What if I have BLS and ACLS certifications?
List both in your certifications section, with ACLS below BLS (or in order of relevance to the job). Both are valuable in healthcare roles, and listing both shows you have advanced training. Use the same format for each.
Can I put BLS in my professional summary instead of a certifications section?
You can mention it briefly in your summary ("Certified in BLS and ACLS"), but you still need a separate certifications section with the full details, expiration date, and issuing organization. The summary is a teaser; the certifications section is the proof.
Do I need to list BLS if the job posting does not mention it?
Yes. Even if the posting does not explicitly require it, BLS is standard in healthcare, emergency services, and childcare. Listing it shows you meet baseline safety standards and makes you a stronger candidate. It takes up minimal space and is always relevant in these fields.
What if my BLS is from a different country?
List it with the organization and country of origin—for example, "Basic Life Support Certification — Red Cross (Canada)." If you are explore in the United States, note that some employers require U.S.-based certification. Check the job posting or contact the employer to confirm whether your international credential is accepted.