Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

 

Is ACLS the right course for me?

ACLS is designed for healthcare professionals who either direct or participate in the management of cardiac arrest, stroke, or other cardiopulmonary emergencies. This includes personnel in emergency response, emergency medicine, critical care/intensive care, and surgery such as Physicians, Nurses, and Paramedics, as well as others who need an ACLS course completion card for a job or other requirement. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive a course completion card, valid for two years. Please contact your employer to ensure that you are selecting the correct course.

 

2025 HeartCode® Courses FAQ

Blended Learning HeartCode®ACLS

Format:

Course Completion:

  • HeartCode® ACLS is the Association’s ACLS blended learning delivery method. Blended learning is a combination of eLearning, in which a student completes part of the course in a self-guided manner, followed by a hands-on skill session.  HeartCode® ACLS Online uses a personalized adaptive algorithm that sets students on the most efficient path to ACLS mastery. Students follow a continuously adapting learning path that is personalized by their own inputs: their performance and their self-reported confidence level related to each probing question.  The course content is presented in the form of self-guided learning content, probing questions, and Cognitive Assessment Activities (CAAs). After completing the online portion, students will attend a structured, Instructor-led hands-on session to perform their skills with an Association Instructor that focuses on meaningful skills practice, debriefing, team dynamics training, megacode cases, discussions of local protocols and skills testing. Where available, students may also complete the hands-on session with a HeartCode® compatible manikin that provides real-time audio and visual feedback.

Time

  • With the new adaptive learning format, the timing for completing the online portion of HeartCode® ACLS Online can vary depending on the student’s level of experience. The hands-on session for HeartCode® ACLS will take approximately 6.75 – 7.75 hours with breaks.

Completion Card

  • ACLS Provider Course Completion Card, valid for two years

Accessibility

  • No accessible blended learning version at this time.

CE/CME

FAQ

Features

  • Engaging, True Adaptive™ learning experience
  • Responsive design that ensures compatibility on mobile devices and tablets
  • All curriculum is contextualized for the in-hospital or prehospital student
  • Students select their level of competence as they begin and rank their confidence as they progress through the course, which support a personalized learning path
  • A modular course design which allows learners to easily track their progress
  • Redesigned Cognitive Assessment Activities (CAAs) incorporating high-stakes scenarios with increased realism and additional team dynamics
  • All curriculum is web-accessible through inclusive design (WCAG 2.2 AA)

Required:

  • ACLS Provider Manual (online access code included with course fee)
  • Online access to the AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC
  • Also Included: Online access to all manuals for 24 months following activation of course key code.

Pre-course Preparation:

As per the AHA guidelines all students MUST complete the following BEFORE attending the ACLS provider/renewal class.

  • Understand the 10 core cases on the Simulation Technology web based program manual.
  • Understand the ACLS algorithms for the core cases in the electronic version of the ACLS student manual.
  • Complete the ACLS written exam and pass with an 70%.
  • Print out the completion certificate and bring it with you to the on site portion of the ACLS course. Without this certificate you will not be allowed to participate in the on site ACLS portion of the course.

Authorized Provider of CPR and ECC Courses, by American Heart Association

All BLS, ACLS and PALS Courses at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County are taught according to standards of the American Heart Association, Maryland Affiliate, Inc. The American Heart Association strongly promotes knowledge and proficiency in BLS, ACLS, and PALS and has developed instructional materials for this purpose. Use of these materials in an educational course does not represent course sponsorship by the American Heart Association. Any fees charged for such a course, except for a portion of fees needed for AHA course materials, do not represent income to the Association.

General Course Information ⇒