BLS vs PALS
Basic Life Support vs Pediatric Advanced 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.
PALS
High DemandPediatric Advanced Life Support · American Heart Association
PALS focuses on recognition and treatment of cardiopulmonary emergencies in infants and children. Required in pediatric ED, PICU, and NICU settings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | BLS | PALS |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Basic Life Support | Pediatric Advanced 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% | +3.50% |
| Prerequisites | None — open to all healthcare providers | Current BLS certification |
| Demand Level | high | high |
Which should I get — BLS or PALS?
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 PALS if…
- • You work in Emergency & Life Support settings
- • Your employer requires or prefers PALS
- • You have met the prerequisites: Current BLS certification
- • You want a ~3.5% salary boost
FAQ — BLS vs PALS
Is BLS or PALS harder?
Both BLS and PALS require preparation and hands-on practice. BLS covers emergency & life support scenarios; PALS covers emergency & life support scenarios. Difficulty depends on your clinical background.
Can I get both BLS and PALS?
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 PALS?
BLS certification is associated with approximately a 1.5% salary increase; PALS approximately 3.5%. See the full salary data for your specialty and state.