Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is one of the most universal requirements in nursing — virtually every employer requires it, and letting it lapse can sideline you from patient care. Yet BLS runs on its own renewal timeline, separate from your nursing license, which makes it easy to overlook. Here's what you need to know about keeping your BLS current.
What Is BLS Certification?
BLS — Basic Life Support — covers the fundamentals of life-saving interventions: high-quality CPR, use of an AED, and relief of airway obstructions for adults, children, and infants. For nurses, BLS is the foundational certification that every clinical role requires. It's distinct from ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support), which build on BLS skills.
Who Needs BLS?
The short answer: every nurse. Whether you're an RN, APRN, LPN/LVN, or CNA, your employer almost certainly requires current BLS. Beyond employment:
- Some states reference BLS in renewal requirements. While most states don't explicitly require BLS for license renewal, a few states include CPR/BLS as part of their CE or competency requirements.
- Hospital credentialing requires it. Every hospital privileging and credentialing process checks BLS status. An expired BLS card means you can't be scheduled.
- Nursing school requires it. Students need BLS before clinical rotations. If you're a new grad transitioning to practice, your student BLS card is still valid until its printed expiration date.
BLS Renewal Timeline
BLS certification is valid for two years from the date of your course completion. This is standard across all major providers. Key points:
- The two-year clock starts from your completion date, not your nursing license issue date
- BLS expiration and nursing license expiration are almost always on different dates
- AHA distinguishes between an initial course and a renewal course. Availability of the shorter renewal course after your card has expired varies by training center — some accept it within a limited window, others require the full initial course. Verify with your training center before scheduling.
- Many employers require recertification well before the expiration date (often 30-60 days early) to avoid scheduling gaps
Track your BLS expiration alongside your license
Log hours, monitor mandatory topics, and get smart renewal reminders — all in one place.
AHA vs. Red Cross vs. Other Providers
Not all BLS certifications are created equal. Most healthcare employers require BLS from a specific provider:
American Heart Association (AHA)
The AHA's BLS for Healthcare Providers course is the gold standard and the most widely accepted by hospitals and healthcare facilities. If you're unsure which provider to choose, AHA is the safest bet. Available in-person and as a blended (online + skills check) format.
American Red Cross
The Red Cross offers a BLS for Healthcare Providers course that is accepted by many employers, though not all. Some hospitals specifically require AHA certification. Check with your employer or prospective employer before enrolling in a Red Cross course.
Other Providers
Various other organizations offer BLS certification. Be cautious — many employers do not accept BLS from lesser-known providers. Always verify acceptance with your employer before paying for a course. "100% online" BLS courses with no hands-on skills check are generally not accepted by healthcare employers.
BLS vs. Your Nursing License: Two Separate Timelines
This is where nurses get tripped up. Your nursing license renewal and your BLS renewal are independent of each other:
- Nursing license: Renewed every 1-3 years depending on your state, with CE requirements, mandatory topics, and state-specific rules
- BLS certification: Renewed every 2 years from your last course date, no CE hours involved, just retake the course
Because these timelines don't align, tracking them separately is critical. Missing your nursing license renewal is devastating (you can't practice). Missing your BLS renewal is disruptive (you can't be scheduled until you recertify).
How to Track Your BLS Certification
The easiest approach is to track your BLS expiration in the same system you use for your nursing license. With RenewRN, you can add your BLS as a credential alongside your nursing license. The countdown timer and renewal reminders work the same way — you'll get notified before your BLS expires so you have time to schedule a recertification course.
Other tracking tips:
- Take a photo of your BLS card immediately after your course and save it digitally
- Set a calendar reminder for 60 days before expiration — BLS courses fill up, especially at the end of the month
- Check if your employer offers on-site BLS renewal courses (many hospitals do, often at no cost)
- Keep a record of your CE hours and certifications in the same place
What Happens If Your BLS Expires?
If your BLS lapses, you'll need to retake the full course — there's no "renewal only" shortcut once it's expired. The immediate consequences:
- Your employer will pull you from patient care assignments until you're recertified
- You may lose scheduled shifts, costing you income
- If you're a travel nurse, an expired BLS can void your assignment contract
What a BLS Course Covers
AHA's BLS for Healthcare Providers course standardizes content across providers. You'll cover:
- High-quality CPR fundamentals — compression rate, depth, and recoil; minimizing interruptions
- Adult, child, and infant CPR — including age-specific compression depth and rescue breath ratios
- One-rescuer and two-rescuer scenarios with role rotation
- AED operation — pad placement, shock delivery, and continuing CPR after shock
- Bag-mask ventilation — proper seal, volume, and timing
- Choking relief for adults, children, infants, and unresponsive patients
- Team dynamics — closed-loop communication, clear role assignment, debrief practices
The course typically runs 3–4 hours for in-person, with a hands-on skills check and a written or computer-based test.
HeartCode BLS: The Blended Option
AHA offers HeartCode BLS — a blended learning format where you complete the cognitive portion online (typically 1–2 hours) and then attend an in-person skills session (typically 30–60 minutes). This format appeals to nurses with busy schedules who want to minimize time at the physical class. Important caveats:
- The online portion must be completed at an authorized HeartCode site (your institution may host this)
- Skills check must be completed in person with an AHA-approved instructor — “virtual” skills checks are not valid
- The certificate is identical to traditional BLS — you don't get a separate “online” designation
- Some employers prefer traditional in-person courses; verify before enrolling
Common BLS Renewal Mistakes
- Confusing your card's issue date with completion date.The two-year clock starts from completion. Look at the “valid through” date on the card itself.
- Booking too late. AHA-approved BLS classes fill up, especially at the end of months and at year-end. Schedule 30–60 days before expiration.
- Choosing a non-accepted provider. Some online-only “BLS” courses cost less but aren't recognized by healthcare employers. AHA, Red Cross, and HSI ASHI are the most widely accepted; verify with your employer if unsure.
- Not photographing your card. Lost paper cards before the digital eCard system are a hassle. Take a photo the day you get it.
- Forgetting workplace skills like ACLS or PALS that your role requires beyond BLS. Check your job description and employer credentialing requirements.
Cost: What to Expect
BLS course pricing varies by provider, format, and location, but typical ranges are:
- AHA in-person BLS: ~$60–100 from independent training centers; often less ($0–50) when sponsored by your employer
- HeartCode BLS (blended): ~$30–50 for the online portion plus a separate skills-session fee, often bundled
- Red Cross BLS: ~$70–110 in-person
- Employer-sponsored: Often free for staff. Many hospitals offer recurring on-site BLS classes for employees.
If your employer offers BLS at no cost, take advantage — it saves money and ensures the certification matches your employer's accepted-provider list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I count BLS as CE hours toward my nursing license?
Most states do not let BLS count as CE — it's a separate certification, not continuing education. A few states allow a limited number of hours, but always verify your state's rule before counting it.
Do APRNs need ACLS in addition to BLS?
Yes — most APRN roles, especially in acute care, require ACLS in addition to BLS. ACLS builds on BLS skills and covers cardiac arrest algorithms, pharmacology, and team-based resuscitation. PALS is also required for many pediatric APRN roles.
What about “CPR for the layperson” courses?
These are not BLS for Healthcare Providers and won't satisfy nursing employer requirements. The Healthcare Provider course is specifically designed for clinicians and includes content (e.g., bag-mask ventilation, two-rescuer CPR, advanced AED scenarios) not covered in lay courses.
Is BLS required for telehealth nurses?
Most healthcare employers require BLS for all licensed nursing staff regardless of role. Telehealth-only positions sometimes waive it, but this is the exception. Check the specific job description and employer requirements.
What if I let my BLS expire and need to recertify?
Many training centers will require the full initial course rather than the shorter renewal version once your card has expired, though policies vary. Some centers honor a limited window after expiration during which a renewal course is still accepted. Confirm with the training center before booking.
Can I show my employer a digital eCard?
Yes — AHA's eCard system is the standard for verification. Your employer can scan a QR code or look up your eCard on AmericanHeart.org. Some employers still want a printed copy in your file too.
Keep It Current, Keep It Simple
BLS certification is one of those things that's easy to maintain and painful to let lapse. Track the expiration date, set reminders, and recertify before it expires. That's it. If you're a new grad, add BLS tracking to your setup checklist alongside your nursing license. If you're an experienced nurse, make sure your BLS isn't the one credential you forget about.