Do You Need BLS If You Have ACLS?

Yes. In most cases, you still need BLS even if you hold a current ACLS certification.

This catches a lot of healthcare providers off guard. If ACLS covers everything in BLS and then some, it feels redundant to hold both. But the way credentialing systems work at most hospitals and health authorities in Alberta, BLS and ACLS are tracked as two separate requirements. One does not cancel out the other.

Here is what you need to know before assuming you are covered.

What BLS and ACLS Actually Cover

BLS (Basic Life Support) focuses on high-quality CPR, AED use, and basic airway management for adults, children, and infants. It is the baseline certification required in most clinical settings, and it applies to a wide range of healthcare providers.

ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) goes several layers deeper. It covers cardiac arrest algorithms, stroke recognition, post-cardiac arrest care, team dynamics in resuscitation, and pharmacological interventions. It is designed for providers who lead or actively participate in advanced resuscitation situations.

The two credentials are related, but they are not interchangeable.

Feature	BLS	ACLS
Who it is for	All healthcare providers	RNs, physicians, paramedics, advanced practitioners
Core skills	CPR, AED, basic airway	Cardiac algorithms, medications, advanced airway, team leadership
Renewal frequency	Typically every 1 year	Typically every 2 years
Standalone credential required	Yes, almost universally	Yes, in addition to BLS
Replaces the other	No	No

Why Most Employers Require Both

Credentialing and HR systems at hospitals and health authorities, including Alberta Health Services and Covenant Health, track BLS and ACLS as two distinct fields in an employee file. 

An ACLS certificate does not automatically satisfy the BLS requirement. It just does not work that way in most institutional systems.

We see this situation come up regularly. A nurse renews their ACLS and assumes BLS is covered. Months later, HR flags their file because BLS quietly lapsed. The nurse is fully capable of performing CPR. But the documentation shows a gap, and that gap has consequences. 

This is not about clinical competence. It is about documentation and institutional policy. If BLS is listed as a required credential for your role, you need a current BLS card on file. 

For students completing clinical placements at hospitals or health facilities, the same applies. ACLS will not substitute for BLS on a placement checklist. Check with your program coordinator before your placement begins, not after.

What Does ACLS Actually Include?

ACLS assumes and builds on BLS-level skills. Completing an ACLS course does involve CPR practice and reinforcement of BLS concepts. But finishing ACLS does not produce a BLS certificate. Those are two separate documents issued through separate courses.

According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation Canada, BLS Provider certification is the recognized standard for healthcare providers and is a prerequisite before enrolling in ACLS. You cannot hold a valid ACLS without having had BLS first, but that BLS certification still needs to be renewed on its own schedule.

When ACLS Alone Might Be Enough

Some private clinics or specialized outpatient settings may accept ACLS as satisfying their resuscitation training requirement without separately mandating BLS. This depends entirely on the employer and their internal policies. However, you will be required to have a current BLS certification to attend an ACLS recertification course.

Do not assume this applies to your situation. Contact your employer, program coordinator, or licensing body directly and ask: does my current ACLS satisfy your BLS requirement, or do I need both on file?

If the answer is unclear, holding both is the safer choice for your credentials and your career.

How We Can Help at Lifesaver YEG

"In our experience, the providers who stay ahead of credential issues are the ones who treat BLS and ACLS as two completely separate items on their checklist," says Ahmed Kermalli, instructor at Lifesaver YEG. "It sounds simple, but it saves a lot of last-minute scrambling."

If you need BLS certification or renewal in Edmonton, Lifesaver YEG offers Heart & Stroke Foundation Canada BLS Provider training. Classes are small, hands-on, and scheduled to fit around clinical work. Certification is issued immediately upon successful completion.

We have two Edmonton locations (8944 182 Street NW and 8804 51 Avenue NW), and we can also arrange on-site training for healthcare teams or organizations that need group sessions.

According to Statistics Canada, there are over 400,000 registered healthcare providers across Canada, many of whom work in environments where multi-credential compliance is a routine expectation. Keeping BLS current is one of the most straightforward ways to stay compliant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ACLS include BLS skills?

Yes. ACLS builds on BLS and includes CPR practice. But completing ACLS does not produce a BLS certificate. Most employers require a current BLS card as its own separate document.

How often do I need to renew BLS if I also have ACLS?

BLS is typically renewed every year. ACLS is typically renewed every two years. These run on independent schedules, so plan for BLS renewals more frequently.

Can I take BLS and ACLS at the same time?

BLS is a prerequisite for ACLS, so you need a current BLS certification before enrolling in an ACLS course. You can complete them close together, but BLS comes first. At Lifesaver YEG, we provide the option of completing BLS and ACLS on the same day.

Is BLS from Lifesaver YEG accepted by Alberta Health Services?

Lifesaver YEG is an authorized training partner for Heart & Stroke Foundation Canada, and BLS training follows their curriculum. AHS and Covenant Health recognize Heart & Stroke Foundation Canada BLS Provider certification. For a specific role or placement, confirm directly with your employer.

What if my BLS is expired but my ACLS is current?

You will need to renew BLS separately. A current ACLS certificate does not extend or replace an expired BLS in most credentialing systems.

Ready to get your BLS renewed or certified in Edmonton? View available courses and book online at Lifesaver YEG or contact the team to find the right fit for your schedule.