BLS certification shows you know how to perform CPR and use a defibrillator

BLS stands for Basic Life Support. A BLS certification means you have completed a course and passed a test showing you can perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on an adult, child, or infant, and operate an automated external defibrillator (AED). The certification is issued by an organization like the American Heart Association or the Red Cross after you complete their training and demonstrate the skills in person.

The certification itself is a card or document you receive that proves you completed the course on a specific date. Most BLS certifications last for two years, after which you must retake the course to renew it. Employers, schools, and healthcare facilities often require BLS certification as a condition of hire or continued employment.

BLS is different from CPR certification alone. CPR is the technique of chest compressions and rescue breaths. BLS includes CPR plus the ability to recognize when someone needs help, use an AED, and work as part of a team in an emergency. The course teaches you to act quickly and correctly in the first few minutes after someone collapses, which is when survival rates are highest.

Key Takeaways

  • BLS certification proves you can perform CPR and use an AED, and is valid for two years from the date you pass the course.
  • The American Heart Association and Red Cross are the two main organizations that issue BLS certifications in the United States.
  • Healthcare workers, first responders, and many other professions are required by law or by their employer to hold current BLS certification.
  • You must attend an in-person course and pass a written test and a skills test to earn BLS certification; online-only courses do not count.

Who needs BLS certification

Healthcare workers including nurses, doctors, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are required by law in most states to hold BLS certification. Hospitals, clinics, and ambulance services will not hire or keep someone without it. Dentists and dental hygienists also need BLS certification because they work in settings where a patient could stop breathing or lose consciousness.

Beyond healthcare, many other jobs require or strongly prefer BLS certification. Lifeguards, personal trainers, coaches, and fitness instructors often need it. Schools may require teachers or staff who work with children to hold BLS certification. Some employers in customer-facing roles, like hotel managers or security personnel, also require it as a safety measure.

You do not need BLS certification to work in most jobs, but having it can make you more valuable to an employer and may lead to higher pay. Some people take BLS courses voluntarily because they want to be prepared to help in an emergency, even if their job does not require it.

What the course covers

A BLS course typically lasts four to six hours and covers how to recognize the signs that someone needs help, how to call 911, and how to perform CPR correctly. You learn the proper hand position for chest compressions, the correct depth and speed of compressions, and when to give rescue breaths. The course teaches you how to use an AED, including when to turn it on, how to place the pads, and what to do when the machine tells you to step back.

The course also covers how to work with other people in an emergency, called team dynamics. You learn how to communicate clearly, assign roles, and switch positions so no one gets too tired. For courses that include infant and child CPR, you learn how the technique differs for smaller bodies and how to recognize when a child is in cardiac arrest.

Most courses include a written test with multiple-choice questions about the material covered. You must also demonstrate the skills on a mannequin in front of an instructor. The instructor watches your hand position, compression depth, compression rate, and your ability to use the AED correctly. You must pass both the written test and the skills test to earn the certification.

How to get BLS certification

The first step is to find a course offered by the American Heart Association or the Red Cross in your area. Both organizations have websites where you can search for courses by location and date. Some courses are offered at hospitals, fire departments, community colleges, or training centers. You register for a course and pay the fee, which usually ranges from $50 to $150 depending on the organization and location.

On the day of the course, bring a photo ID and arrive early. The instructor will review the material, show you how to perform CPR on a mannequin, and give you time to practice. You will practice on adult, child, and infant mannequins if the course includes all three. The instructor will correct your technique and answer your questions. At the end of the course, you take the written test and perform the skills test.

If you pass both tests, the instructor will give you a certification card on the spot or mail it to you within a few days. The card shows your name, the date you passed, the date it expires, and the organization that issued it. You should keep this card with you or in a safe place because employers will ask to see it.

Renewing your BLS certification

Your BLS certification expires two years after the date you pass the course. Before it expires, you can take a renewal course, which is shorter than the initial course and usually lasts two to three hours. The renewal course covers the same material but assumes you already know the basics, so it moves faster. You still must pass a written test and a skills test to renew.

Some organizations offer renewal courses online for the written portion, but you must attend an in-person session for the skills test. You cannot renew BLS certification by taking an online course alone. If your certification expires, you must take the full initial course again rather than a renewal course.

It is your responsibility to renew before your certification expires. Your employer may send you a reminder, but many do not. Mark the expiration date on your calendar or set a phone reminder a few months before it expires so you have time to find and register for a renewal course.

BLS certification versus other certifications

BLS is different from ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support). ACLS is for healthcare workers who need to manage cardiac emergencies in hospital or pre-hospital settings. It includes BLS skills plus the use of medications, advanced airway management, and reading heart rhythms from an electrocardiogram (EKG). PALS is similar to ACLS but focuses on infants and children. Most paramedics and nurses need both BLS and ACLS.

First Aid certification is also different from BLS. First Aid teaches you how to treat injuries like cuts, burns, and broken bones, while BLS teaches you how to respond when someone stops breathing or their heart stops. Many people take both courses because they cover different emergencies. Some organizations offer combined BLS and First Aid courses.

CPR certification alone is not the same as BLS certification. CPR certification means you know how to perform chest compressions and rescue breaths, but BLS certification includes CPR plus AED use and team communication. If a job requires BLS, a CPR-only certification will not meet the requirement.

Cost and time commitment

An initial BLS course costs between $50 and $150, depending on the organization and your location. The American Heart Association courses tend to be on the higher end, while Red Cross courses are often less expensive. Some employers pay for their employees to take BLS courses, so ask your employer before you register.

The course itself takes four to six hours, usually in one session. Some organizations offer evening or weekend courses so you can fit it around work or school. A renewal course takes two to three hours. If you cannot attend a course in person, you will need to find one that fits your schedule, which may mean waiting a few weeks or traveling to a nearby city.

After you earn your certification, you do not need to spend time maintaining it until it is time to renew. However, some employers require you to practice CPR skills or take a refresher course between renewals, so check your employer's policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a BLS course online?

No. BLS certification requires an in-person course where an instructor watches you perform CPR and use an AED on a mannequin. Some organizations offer online modules for the written portion, but you must attend a classroom session for the skills test. If a course is advertised as fully online, it will not result in a valid BLS certification.

How long does BLS certification last?

BLS certification is valid for two years from the date you pass the course. After two years, you must take a renewal course to keep your certification current. If your certification expires, you must take the full initial course again rather than a renewal course.

What happens if my BLS certification expires?

If your certification expires and your job requires BLS, you may not be allowed to work until you renew it. Some employers will suspend you or terminate your employment if your certification lapses. It is your responsibility to renew before the expiration date.

Do I need BLS certification to work as a nurse?

Yes. Most states require nurses to hold current BLS certification as a condition of licensure. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities will not hire a nurse without valid BLS certification. Some states allow a short grace period after hire to obtain certification, but this varies.

Is BLS certification the same as CPR certification?

No. BLS certification includes CPR plus the ability to use an AED and work as part of a team in an emergency. CPR certification covers only chest compressions and rescue breaths. If your job requires BLS, a CPR-only certification will not meet the requirement.