What is the recommended eligibility period for Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification?

From the Guidelines

The recommended eligibility period for Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification is typically two years. After receiving initial certification, healthcare providers need to renew their ACLS credentials every two years to maintain active status. The recertification process involves completing a refresher course and passing both written and practical skills assessments, as written tests should not be used exclusively to assess the competence of a participant in an advanced life support course 1. This two-year cycle ensures that providers maintain current knowledge of resuscitation protocols, which frequently update based on evolving evidence. The relatively short certification period reflects the critical nature of these life-saving skills and the importance of staying current with the latest emergency cardiovascular care guidelines. However, it is worth noting that there is evidence suggesting that BLS skills decay rapidly after initial training, with some studies demonstrating deterioration in as little as 3 months 1. Despite this, the current standard retraining period for BLS is every 2 years, and there is insufficient evidence to determine the optimal method and timing of BLS recertification 1.

Some key points to consider when renewing ACLS certification include:

• The importance of periodic assessment of rescuer knowledge and skills with reinforcement provided as needed 1
• The potential benefits of more frequent training sessions, such as improved chest compression performance and shorter time to defibrillation 1
• The need for tailored training approaches based on the setting and feasibility of more frequent training for different provider groups 1
• The importance of debriefing as a learner-focused, nonthreatening technique to assist individual rescuers or teams to reflect on and improve performance 1

Healthcare providers should begin the recertification process several months before their expiration date to avoid any lapse in certification, as many healthcare facilities require active ACLS certification as a condition of employment for certain clinical roles.

From the Research

Eligibility Period for ACLS Certification

The recommended eligibility period for Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification is not explicitly stated in the provided studies. However, the studies provide information on the retention of ACLS skills and the need for refresher training.

• The study by 2 found that ACLS skills degrade faster than Basic Life Support (BLS) skills, with only 30% of participants passing ACLS skills at 3 months and 14% at 12 months.
• The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that ACLS certification be renewed every 2 years, but this is not explicitly stated in the provided studies.
• The study by 3 found that ACLS certification for student pharmacists improves simulated patient survival, but it does not provide information on the eligibility period for ACLS certification.
• The study by 4 found that current requirements for ACLS certification and training for obstetric staff may require revision, but it does not provide information on the eligibility period for ACLS certification.
• The study by 5 and 6 do not provide information on the eligibility period for ACLS certification.

Retention of ACLS Skills

The studies suggest that ACLS skills are not retained for a long period, and refresher training is needed to maintain proficiency.

• The study by 2 found that ACLS skills degrade quickly, with a significant decline in skills retention after 3 months.
• The study by 3 found that ACLS certification improves simulated patient survival, but it does not provide information on the retention of ACLS skills over time.