BLS vs ACLS
Basic Life Support vs Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support — a side-by-side comparison of exam costs, prerequisites, salary impact, CE requirements, and which certification is best for your career path.
BLS
High DemandBasic Life Support · American Heart Association
BLS certification covers CPR for adults, children, and infants, AED use, and relief of foreign-body airway obstruction. Required for most clinical healthcare roles.
ACLS
High DemandAdvanced Cardiovascular Life Support · American Heart Association
ACLS builds on BLS with advanced airway management, pharmacology, and systematic approach to cardiac arrest and other cardiopulmonary emergencies. Required in ICU, ED, and PACU.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | BLS | ACLS |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Basic Life Support | Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support |
| Issuing Body | American Heart Association | American Heart Association |
| Category | Emergency & Life Support | Emergency & Life Support |
| Exam Cost | $85 | $175 |
| Validity | 24 months | 24 months |
| CE Credits Required | N/A | N/A |
| Salary Impact | +1.50% | +4.50% |
| Prerequisites | None — open to all healthcare providers | Current BLS certification |
| Demand Level | high | high |
Which should I get — BLS or ACLS?
Choose BLS if…
- • You work in Emergency & Life Support settings
- • Your employer requires or prefers BLS
- • You have met the prerequisites: None — open to all healthcare providers
- • You want a ~1.5% salary boost
Choose ACLS if…
- • You work in Emergency & Life Support settings
- • Your employer requires or prefers ACLS
- • You have met the prerequisites: Current BLS certification
- • You want a ~4.5% salary boost
FAQ — BLS vs ACLS
Is BLS or ACLS harder?
Both BLS and ACLS require preparation and hands-on practice. BLS covers emergency & life support scenarios; ACLS covers emergency & life support scenarios. Difficulty depends on your clinical background.
Can I get both BLS and ACLS?
Yes. Many healthcare professionals hold both certifications, especially in settings that overlap (e.g., ICU nurses often have both CCRN and ACLS). Each is independently issued and maintained.
Which pays more — BLS or ACLS?
BLS certification is associated with approximately a 1.5% salary increase; ACLS approximately 4.5%. See the full salary data for your specialty and state.