ACLS certification renewal is required every two years to maintain your credentials. You can renew your ACLS certification in one day at an American Heart Association (AHA) Training Center.
EMR Safety and Health is an AHA Training Center with more than 2.4 million certifications issued since 1980. We deliver official AHA eCards the same day or within 24 hours of your class.
This guide walks you through the ACLS 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
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification renewal works the same way at any AHA Training Center.
- Confirm your ACLS card is current or recently expired and your BLS card is current.
- 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 card dates.
When Does an ACLS Certification Expire?
ACLS certification expires two years after your course completion date, per the American Heart Association. 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.
Start planning your renewal 90 days before your expiration date.
How to Renew Your ACLS Certification in 7 Steps
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 the course between online study and an in-person skills check.
Step 1: Confirm You Meet Renewal Requirements
Your ACLS card must be current or recently expired to take the renewal course. Check the expiration date on your card before you register. AHA also expects you to be proficient in basic life support (BLS) skills.
We require a current BLS provider card at registration. If that card has lapsed, renew it first through our BLS renewal course.
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.
In-person suits providers who want renewal done in one visit. HeartCode suits providers who prefer to study online and come in only for a 30-minute 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. But not all employers accept non-AHA online 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: 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 or recently expired ACLS card holders. Current ACLS instructors can register for the instructor renewal course (AHA102R) instead.
You’ll receive a confirmation with your class time and location. We also send you the ACLS precourse welcome letter.
Step 5: Complete Your ACLS Precourse Work
AHA assigns a precourse self-assessment before your renewal class. Review the ACLS Provider Manual and any assigned online modules. HeartCode students can finish the full online portion before their skills session.
Bring your precourse certificate, BLS card, and a government-issued photo ID to class. Unfinished modules delay your skills check.
Step 6: Attend the Course and Pass the Exam
The renewal course reviews the updated ACLS algorithms for cardiac arrest and arrhythmias. 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 the written ACLS certification exam to earn your new card.
Step 7: Claim Your eCard and Update Records
AHA issues your new eCard after you pass the course. You can access your ACLS eCard the same day or within 24 hours of your class.
Update your employer credential file with the new expiration date and keep a copy for your records.
ACLS Renewal Classes in Dallas
You can book ACLS renewal courses year-round at EMR’s Dallas training center.
| Course | Format | Length | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACLS Provider Renewal (AHA101R) | In-person, full day | 4–8 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 initial and renewal ACLS certification course on our ACLS courses page.
Why Dallas Providers Renew With EMR
EMR has trained Dallas healthcare providers since 1980.
- Authorized AHA Training Center. You can take provider, renewal, and instructor courses in one place.
- Same-day eCards. Your official AHA card arrives the same day or within 24 hours.
- Small classes. Experienced AHA instructors give real hands-on coaching.
- North Dallas location. Free on-site parking near US-75 and I-635.
- Flexible scheduling. Book in-person classes year-round, or study online with HeartCode.
Register for the ACLS provider renewal course
Can You Renew ACLS Online?
No, AHA does not offer an ACLS renewal you can finish completely online. Every AHA pathway requires a hands-on skills check.
The HeartCode ACLS program (OC101) covers the knowledge portion through self-paced online learning. You answer adaptive questions and need 84% or higher to pass, per Laerdal.
The in-person skills check tests megacode response and CPR quality. An AHA instructor or a feedback manikin verifies your hands-on skills.
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.
Some non-AHA providers sell online certification with no hands-on test. Ask your employer whether it accepts online-only cards before you enroll.
Start the HeartCode ACLS online course, then book an ACLS skills check to earn your 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 or recently expired 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 these 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 a unified Chain of Survival for every patient.
What to Expect During ACLS Renewal Training
The in-person renewal class runs 4–8 hours. Expect lecture review and hands-on practice.
Can’t take a full day off shift? HeartCode ACLS moves your study online. You come in only for a 30-minute skills check. You earn the same two-year AHA eCard. Start the HeartCode ACLS online course.
You review algorithms, rotate through skills stations, and test in megacode scenarios. An instructor observes 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.
The same megacode mistakes come up again and again.
- Long pauses. Keep pulse-check pauses 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.
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. Providers whose ACLS 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
EMR’s Dallas training center is at 9221 LBJ Freeway, Suite 109, near US-75 and I-635. Providers from Richardson, Plano, and Garland can reach the center in under 20 minutes. Parking is free and on-site.
These habits keep your renewal on track.
- Set a calendar reminder 90 days before your card expires to avoid a credential gap.
- Take our BLS renewal course before your ACLS class if your BLS card is due.
- Choose HeartCode if clinical shifts make a full class day hard to schedule.
- 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
You finish the class in one day. Your official AHA eCard arrives the same day or within 24 hours.
Our small classes give you real instructor feedback at every skills station. We also run renewal courses year-round to fit your schedule.
Call 972-235-8330 or contact our Dallas training team with questions about your renewal.
Register for the ACLS provider renewal course
FAQs About ACLS Certification Renewal
Find quick answers to common ACLS renewal questions.
How Many Hours Is ACLS Renewal?
ACLS renewal takes 4–8 hours in person. The HeartCode blended option pairs self-paced online study with a 30-minute in-person skills session. Renewal courses are 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. You can check current Dallas rates on the ACLS provider renewal course page.
Is ACLS Required for Texas License Renewal?
No, ACLS is not required for Texas nursing license or EMS certification renewal. Employers and hospital credentialing boards decide which roles require ACLS. ACLS hours count toward the 20-hour Texas Board of Nursing requirement only when the course offers CNE credit.
How Long After ACLS Expired Can You Renew?
There is no official grace period set by the American Heart Association (AHA) once an ACLS certification expires. Your card stays valid through the last day of the month printed on it. Providers whose cards expired within six months can typically take the renewal course.
How to Prepare for ACLS Renewal?
To prepare for ACLS renewal, complete all AHA precourse work before class. Review the cardiac arrest, bradycardia, and tachycardia algorithms, then practice rhythm recognition and closed-loop communication.
Do I Need to Renew BLS if I Have ACLS?
Yes, EMR requires a current BLS card for ACLS renewal. AHA itself only expects proficiency in BLS skills. Renew your BLS certification with our BLS renewal course first if it has lapsed.