ACLS Recertification
& Renewal Course

ACLS recertification is the renewal process for providers whose two-year ACLS certification is expiring or has recently expired. Rather than repeating full initial certification, the recertification course reviews the ACLS algorithm, pharmacology updates, and airway management guidance in a condensed format built for providers with existing clinical background. You complete the coursework online, pass a final exam with unlimited attempts, and receive an updated wallet card and certificate valid for another two years. Most hospitals, EMS agencies, and outpatient facilities treat a completed recertification the same as a new certification for credentialing purposes.

The best time to renew is before your current ACLS certification expires, not after. ACLSNow does not publish a fixed grace period, and many employers suspend clinical privileges the day a required certification lapses, so starting your recertification course a month or two ahead of your expiration date is the safest approach. If your card has already expired, you can still complete this course to restore your credential, but confirm with your employer whether the gap itself creates any compliance concern. Setting a calendar reminder tied to your original certification date is the simplest way to avoid the issue altogether.

Online ACLS renewal lets you complete every module on your own schedule instead of coordinating time off for an in-person recertification class. You get unlimited exam attempts, immediate access to your updated wallet card after passing, and course content that mirrors ECC-aligned resuscitation science rather than a simplified refresher. This format works especially well for shift workers and multi-site providers who need flexibility around clinical schedules. Online renewal also tends to cost less than classroom-based recertification while covering the same required algorithm updates and pharmacology changes.

Once you pass the recertification exam, your ACLS certification is valid for another two years from that pass date, the same validity period as initial certification. ACLSNow issues an updated wallet card and certificate immediately, so there is no gap between your old expiration and your new certification period as long as you renew on time. Because the two-year clock resets from your recertification date rather than your original certification date, renewing early does not shorten your next certification period. This makes it worthwhile to recertify as soon as you are eligible rather than waiting until the deadline.

Yes, ACLSNow’s ACLS recertification course includes continuing education credit that most licensing boards and employers accept toward ongoing CE requirements. The exact number of CE hours awarded is tied to course length and is documented on your certificate of completion, which you can use for licensure renewal or employer compliance records alongside your ACLS wallet card. If your state board or employer has specific CE accreditation requirements, confirm that ACLSNow’s CE designation meets them before enrolling, since requirements vary by profession and state.

ACLSNow does not publish a fixed grace period for ACLS renewal, and how a lapsed card is handled depends entirely on your employer’s policy. Some facilities allow a short window after expiration before suspending clinical privileges, while others treat the certification as immediately invalid on the expiration date. Because of this variation, the safest practice is to complete your recertification course before your two-year certification expires rather than relying on an assumed grace period. If your card has already lapsed, you can still recertify through this course to restore active status as quickly as possible.

ACLSNow offers ECC-aligned ACLS recertification entirely online, with self-paced modules, unlimited exam attempts, and an updated wallet card available immediately after you pass. ACLSNow is an independent training provider, not the American Heart Association, so if your employer specifically requires an AHA-branded renewal, confirm that policy before enrolling. For providers whose employer accepts ECC-aligned recertification from an accredited provider, which covers most hospitals and EMS agencies, ACLSNow offers a faster and lower-cost renewal path than classroom-based recertification while covering the same required content.

There is no wait. As soon as you pass the recertification exam, your updated digital wallet card and certificate become available for immediate download from your ACLSNow account. Mail and print delivery options are available if you want a physical copy as well, though these take additional processing time. Because the recertification course is shorter than initial certification and exam attempts are unlimited, most returning providers can complete the entire renewal, from enrollment to a usable updated card, in a single sitting.