ACLS certification renews every two years. You can renew your ACLS certification in one day at an American Heart Association (AHA) Training Center.
EMR Safety and Health has operated since 1980 and issued more than 2.4 million certifications. We deliver official AHA eCards the same day or within 24 hours of your class.
This guide walks you through the renewal steps, timing, course formats, and where to register in Dallas.
Not ACLS certified yet? Get ACLS certified in Dallas for the first time.
Quick Steps to Renew ACLS in Dallas, TX
Follow these steps to renew your Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification.
- Confirm your ACLS and BLS cards are current or recently expired.
- Choose the in-person full-day course or the HeartCode blended format.
- Finish all AHA precourse work before your class date.
- Attend the course and pass the megacode skills test.
- Claim your official AHA eCard within 24 hours of passing.
Register for the ACLS provider renewal course once you confirm your dates.
When Does an ACLS Certification Expire?
ACLS certification expires two years after your course completion date. Your AHA eCard prints the expiration as a month and year.
The card stays valid through the last day of that printed month. For example, a card dated March 2026 expires March 31, 2028.
An expired card removes you from ACLS-required duties until you renew. Start planning your renewal 90 days before your expiration date.
Steps to Renew Your ACLS Certification
ACLS recertification is open to anyone with a current or recently expired provider card. The in-person course runs one day. The blended format splits online study and an in-person skills check.
Step 1: Confirm You Meet Renewal Requirements
Check your ACLS card’s expiration date before you register. You need a provider card that is current or recently expired. AHA also expects you to be proficient in basic life support (BLS) skills during the course.
We require a current BLS provider card at registration. Renew your BLS first if that card has lapsed. You can enroll in our BLS renewal course to update it.
Step 2: Choose an ACLS Renewal Course Format
AHA approves two renewal formats. The in-person ACLS course covers all content and testing in one session. The blended HeartCode format pairs online study with a separate skills check.
The in-person option finishes in one visit. HeartCode splits the course into online modules and a separate skills check. Both formats end with a hands-on test.
Step 3: Pick a Dallas Training Provider
AHA Training Centers issue official eCards that employers and hospitals verify through AHA’s online system.
Non-AHA online providers issue cards without a hands-on skills test. Not all employers accept those cards.
EMR Safety and Health is one of the largest AHA Training Centers in North America. Our network includes more than 2,000 AHA instructors.
Step 4: Complete Your ACLS Precourse Work
AHA assigns a precourse self-assessment before your renewal class. Review your course materials, ACLS Provider Manual, and any assigned online modules. HeartCode students can finish the full online portion before their skills session.
Bring proof of completion and a government-issued photo ID to class. Arrive 15 minutes early to check in. Unfinished modules delay your skills check.
Step 5: Register for Your ACLS Renewal Course
Register for the ACLS provider renewal course through our scheduling system. The provider renewal (AHA101R) course is for current ACLS card holders. Current ACLS instructors can register for the instructor renewal course (AHA102R) instead.
Pick a class date that fits your schedule. You’ll receive a confirmation with your class time and location.
Step 6: Attend the Course and Pass the Exam
The renewal course reviews updated cardiac arrest and arrhythmia algorithms. The class assumes you already hold provider-level knowledge. You will practice megacode scenarios under instructor observation.
Testing covers rhythm recognition, medication timing, and team leadership. Your instructor scores each skill in real time.
Skills stations rotate through airway management, rhythm identification, and defibrillation. Clear every station, then pass the megacode and written exam to earn your new card.
Step 7: Claim Your eCard and Update Records
AHA issues your new eCard after you pass the course. We deliver eCards within 24 hours of your class. Employers verify AHA eCards through the online AHA system.
Update your employer credential file with the new expiration date and keep a copy for your records. Also check whether your state licensing board needs the new card on file.
ACLS Renewal Classes in Dallas
We schedule ACLS renewal courses year-round at our Dallas training center. Choose the in-person full day, online HeartCode, or a short skills check session.
| Course | Format | Length | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACLS Provider Renewal (AHA101R) | In-person, full day | 4–5 hours | View schedule |
| ACLS Instructor Renewal (AHA102R) | In-person, full day | Contact us for hours | View schedule |
| HeartCode ACLS (OC101) | Online, self-paced | Self-paced, 24-month access | View schedule |
| ACLS Skills Check (SK101) | In-person session | 30 minutes | View schedule |
Browse every renewal and initial class on our ACLS courses page.
Dallas providers renew with us for a few reasons.
- Authorized AHA Training Center. We run provider, renewal, and instructor courses.
- Same-day eCards. Your official AHA card arrives within 24 hours.
- Experienced AHA instructors. Small classes mean real hands-on coaching.
- Central Dallas location. Free on-site parking near US-75 and I-635.
- Flexible scheduling. Book weekday, evening, or weekend classes.
Register for the ACLS provider renewal course
Can You Renew ACLS Online?
No, AHA does not offer a fully online ACLS renewal. Every AHA pathway requires a hands-on skills check.
The HeartCode ACLS program (OC101) covers the knowledge portion online at your pace. You answer adaptive questions and pass an online exam.
The online exam needs a passing score of 84% or higher.
The in-person skills check tests megacode response and CPR quality. An AHA instructor or a feedback manikin verifies your hands-on skills. You can book this skills session at our Dallas center after finishing online.
The blended path suits busy providers who want flexible study time. Finish the online portion on your schedule and book the skills session when you’re ready. No AHA renewal finishes without an in-person or manikin-based skills test.
Some non-AHA providers skip the hands-on test and issue online-only cards. But employers may refuse cards issued without a hands-on skills test.
Choose the HeartCode ACLS online course to keep an official AHA eCard.
ACLS Provider Renewal vs Instructor Renewal
AHA runs two separate ACLS recertification courses. Most healthcare professionals take the provider renewal (AHA101R).
The instructor renewal (AHA102R) is for current AHA ACLS instructors only.
| Feature | Provider Renewal (AHA101R) | Instructor Renewal (AHA102R) |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Healthcare professionals with a current ACLS provider card | Current AHA ACLS instructors |
| Prerequisites | Current BLS provider card | Current instructor card plus current BLS provider card |
| Format | In-person full day or HeartCode blended | In-person full day |
| Course code | AHA101R | AHA102R |
| Schedule | View schedule | View schedule |
Current providers who want to teach can become an AHA instructor through a separate course.
Register for the ACLS instructor renewal course if your instructor card is due.
What Does ACLS Renewal Cover?
ACLS renewal refreshes the advanced resuscitation skills from your first certification. The course assumes provider-level experience and skips the fundamentals. Renewal weights class time toward hands-on skills testing.
The renewal curriculum covers seven core areas.
- Cardiac arrest management for VF, pulseless VT, asystole, and PEA
- ECG rhythm recognition and peri-arrest interventions
- High-quality CPR and resuscitation team dynamics
- Advanced airway management and ventilation
- ACLS medications, dosing, and routes of administration
- Acute coronary syndromes and stroke recognition and care
- Immediate post-cardiac arrest care
Our renewal course follows the 2025 AHA Guidelines for CPR and emergency cardiovascular care. The American Heart Association published them in October 2025. The biggest change for renewal providers is the new unified Chain of Survival for every patient.
What to Expect During ACLS Renewal Training
The in-person renewal class runs 4 to 5 hours. Expect a mix of lecture review and hands-on practice.
You review algorithms, rotate through skills stations, and test in megacode scenarios. An instructor will observe each station and gives feedback in real time.
Megacode testing puts you in charge of a simulated resuscitation. You call the rhythm out loud, direct the team, and order medications on time. The examiner watches your timing, communication, and CPR quality.
A few testing mistakes come up again and again. Avoid these to pass your megacode on the first try.
- Long pauses. Keep compression checks under 10 seconds.
- Rhythm errors. Fine ventricular fibrillation can look like asystole.
- Late defibrillation. Shock VF or pulseless VT without delay.
- Weak leadership. Assign roles and use closed-loop communication.
- Poor CPR quality. Hold rate, depth, and full chest recoil during changeovers.
Our small class sizes give you more one-on-one instructor feedback during practice.
A missed station is not a failed course. Your instructor gives you time to review and retest.
What If Your ACLS Card Has Already Expired?
You can still renew if your ACLS card expired recently. AHA does not set an official grace period. Cards expired within six months can typically take the renewal course.
Once your card expires, AHA no longer counts you as current. Many hospitals and EMS agencies pull expired providers from ACLS duties until renewal.
A card that lapsed more than six months ago may require the full initial ACLS course. The exact window is a training-center policy, not an AHA rule. Contact us to confirm eligibility for your lapse period.
ACLS Renewal Tips for Dallas Providers
Our Dallas training center is at 9221 LBJ Freeway, Suite 109.
The location sits near US-75 and I-635. Providers from Richardson, Plano, and Garland can reach it in under 20 minutes. Parking is free and on-site.
A few habits keep your renewal on track.
- Set a calendar reminder 90 days before your card expires to avoid a credential gap.
- Renew your BLS renewal course alongside your ACLS class to save a second trip.
- Book a weekday evening or weekend class if you work clinical shifts.
- Add PALS certification if your role treats pediatric patients.
- Ask about group renewal training for your whole department.
Early registration secures the class date that fits your rotation.
Renew Your ACLS Certification at EMR in Dallas
Renew your ACLS certification at EMR Safety and Health in Dallas. You can earn your official AHA eCard in one day.
Our small classes give you real instructor feedback, not a video login. We run renewal courses year-round to fit your schedule.
Call 972-235-8330 with questions about your renewal.
Register for the ACLS provider renewal course
FAQs About ACLS Certification Renewal
Answers to the questions Dallas healthcare providers ask most about ACLS renewals.
How Many Hours Is ACLS Renewal?
ACLS renewal takes 4 to 5 hours in person. The HeartCode blended option pairs self-paced online study with a 30-minute in-person skills session. Renewal courses run shorter than the initial ACLS course.
How Often Do You Have to Renew ACLS?
You must renew ACLS certification every two years. AHA sets the renewal cycle at 24 months from your course completion date. Set a reminder 90 days before expiration to register before your card lapses.
How Many CEUs Is ACLS Renewal?
An ACLS renewal course carries 4 to 8 continuing education hours in most formats. Your state licensing board decides which credits count toward license renewal. Ask us for the exact CEU count on your renewal course.
How Long Does ACLS Certification Last?
ACLS certification is valid for two years from your course completion date. Your AHA eCard prints the expiration as a month and year. Check that date to confirm when your renewal window opens.
Does ACLS Renewal Require a Skills Test?
Yes, ACLS renewal requires a hands-on skills test. You demonstrate megacode scenarios, rhythm recognition, and team leadership under instructor observation. The HeartCode blended format also ends with an in-person skills check.
How Much Does ACLS Renewal Cost?
ACLS renewal pricing varies by course format and provider. Visit our ACLS provider renewal course page for current rates at our Dallas training center.
Is ACLS Required for Texas License Renewal?
No, ACLS is not required for Texas nursing or medical license renewal. Employers and hospital credentialing boards set their own rules. ACLS hours can count toward the 20-hour Texas Board of Nursing continuing education requirement.
How to Prepare for ACLS Renewal?
To prepare for ACLS renewal, complete all AHA precourse work before class. Review the algorithms for cardiac arrest, bradycardia, and tachycardia. Practice rhythm recognition and closed-loop communication before test day.
Do I Need to Renew BLS if I Have ACLS?
Yes, you must keep a current BLS card even if you hold ACLS. Our ACLS renewal enrollment requires a current BLS provider card. Renew your BLS certification with our BLS renewal course first if it has lapsed.