American Heart Association
HeartCode® BLS Online
HeartCode® BLS Online is the American Heart Association’s online cognitive portion of the BLS blended learning course. Complete the course at your own pace from any device.
Please note: a separate hands-on BLS skills session is required to receive your official AHA BLS Provider eCard.
BLS HeartCode® FAQs
What is HeartCode® BLS?
HeartCode® BLS is the official American Heart Association (AHA) blended learning program for Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certification. The course combines self-paced online ACLS training with an in-person hands-on skills session to provide flexible, convenient ACLS certification for healthcare professionals.
The HeartCode ACLS process includes two required parts:
• Part 1: Complete the HeartCode® ACLS Online course
• Part 2: Complete an in-person ACLS hands-on skills session with an AHA ACLS Instructor or HeartCode-compatible CPR manikin
After successfully completing both parts, students receive an official American Heart Association ACLS Provider eCard.
HeartCode ACLS allows healthcare providers to complete the online portion anytime and attend a flexible in-person skills check appointment separately. This blended learning format is ideal for nurses, physicians, paramedics, respiratory therapists, medical students, dental professionals, and other healthcare providers needing ACLS certification or ACLS renewal.
Please note: Completing only the online HeartCode ACLS course does not provide ACLS certification. An in-person hands-on ACLS skills session is required by the American Heart Association to receive an official ACLS Provider eCard.
Is HeartCode® BLS accepted by employers and hospitals?
Yes. HeartCode® BLS is the official American Heart Association blended learning program for BLS certification and BLS renewal. After completing both the online course and hands-on skills session, students receive the same official AHA BLS Provider eCard accepted by employers and healthcare facilities nationwide.
How long does the HeartCode® BLS Online course take?
The HeartCode® BLS Online course is self-paced and uses an adaptive learning format that personalizes the course based on your existing knowledge, performance, and confidence level. Most students complete the online portion in approximately 1-2 hours, but course length may vary depending on level of experience.
Can I get certified with only the online course?
No. Completing only the HeartCode® BLS Online course does not provide BLS certification.
The American Heart Association requires both:
- Part 1: HeartCode® BLS Online
- Part 2: In-person hands-on skills session
Both parts must be completed to receive your official AHA BLS Provider eCard.
What do I receive after completing HeartCode® BLS Online?
After completing the online course, students receive an AHA HeartCode® BLS Certificate of Completion for the online portion only. This is not an BLS certification card. Students must also complete the required hands-on BLS skills session to receive their official American Heart Association BLS Provider eCard.
Is the BLS skills session included with the online course?
No. The BLS skills session is sold separately.
Or purchase the BLS Complete program (online course + skills session included).
What is the BLS skills session?
The skills session is an in-person practical evaluation completed at a CPR Verification Station™ using voice-assisted manikins and guided prompts.
Students complete adult/child and infant compressions, ventilations, and BLS team response scenarios.
When is the BLS skills session completed?
The online HeartCode® BLS course and the in-person hands-on skills session are completed separately.
Students may schedule their BLS skills session the same day or on a later date after completing the online course.
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