ACLS is usually a condition of working as a paramedic, critical care nurse or physician in acute care. Because many employers require BLS and ACLS together, a single missed date can make you ineligible for advanced roles until you renew.
How long an ACLS card is valid
AHA course completion cards, including ACLS Provider, are valid for two years through the end of the month in which they were issued.
| Card fact | What the AHA says |
|---|---|
| How long it is valid | Two years, through the end of the month it was issued |
| How the date appears on an eCard | A 2-digit month and 4-digit year, two years from the issue date |
| How an employer checks it | Scan the QR code on the eCard, or enter the eCard code at heart.org/CPR/mycards |
Keep BLS and ACLS in step
Many professionals renew BLS and ACLS in the same visit so both cards share an expiration month. If your dates are different, tracking them side by side shows which one is due first.
Plan your renewal
- Check the expiration month on your ACLS eCard.
- Ask your employer which ACLS format it accepts (instructor-led, or blended online learning plus a hands-on skills session).
- Book the class or skills session 30 to 60 days ahead.
- Upload the new eCard the day it arrives and share it with your employer.
How Med-Cert Pro helps
- Store the card or certificate once, with the expiration date read from the document by on-device scanning.
- See the credential move from Active to Expiring Soon, Critical and Expired, so nothing surprises you on shift.
- Get a reminder before the window closes, and mark a renewal In Progress while you finish it.
- Share a time-limited link or QR packet with an employer instead of emailing photos of your card.
- Your whole professional wallet is $24.99 per year, and agency-sponsored seats cost you nothing.
Med-Cert Pro is not affiliated with or endorsed by the American Heart Association. Always confirm requirements with your employer and the course provider.