BLS Certification: Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers
BLS (Basic Life Support) certification is the CPR credential required for nurses, doctors, EMTs, paramedics, dental staff, and most clinical roles. It covers high-quality CPR, AED use, airway management, and team dynamics.
- Required for almost every clinical healthcare role
- Course length: 3.5–4.5 hours in-person, ~2 hours blended
- Cost: $60–$110 typical
- Renewal every 2 years
Who needs BLS
Hospital nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists, dental assistants, EMS providers, medical students, and many allied health professionals. Schools verify BLS before clinical rotations.
BLS vs CPR/AED
BLS includes everything in a community CPR class plus 2-rescuer CPR with a bag-valve-mask, pulse checks, and the resuscitation team framework. The pace assumes a clinical background.
What to bring on test day
ID, your eCard provider record if blended, and clothing that allows kneeling. Skills tests evaluate compressions, ventilations, AED pad placement, and team handoff.
Frequently asked questions
- Is BLS harder than CPR?
- It moves faster and adds bag-mask ventilation and team roles, but the core skills are the same.
- How long is BLS certification good for?
- Two years. Schedule renewal 30–60 days before expiration to avoid gaps.
- Can I take BLS without a healthcare background?
- Yes, but a community Heartsaver CPR/AED course is usually a better fit for non-clinical learners.