Basic Life Support (BLS) training provides the foundational skills necessary to recognize life-threatening emergencies, deliver high-quality chest compressions and ventilations, and use an automated external defibrillator (AED). This proficiency is a standard requirement for nearly all licensed healthcare professionals. This article clarifies a common point of confusion: whether specific Continuing Medical Education (CME) hours are a prerequisite for BLS recertification.
Clarifying the Role of CME for BLS Recertification
Professionals often assume that accumulating CME hours is necessary to maintain a BLS certification, but this is generally not the case. The renewal process is fundamentally based on demonstrating current competency in the skills and knowledge required to perform resuscitation effectively. The focus is on practical ability rather than accumulated educational hours.
Recertification requires successfully completing the renewal course, which includes both a practical skills assessment and a written knowledge exam. The BLS card certifies this demonstrated competency. This requirement is separate from the ongoing educational hours professionals must gather for their state or national professional licensure. Therefore, there is no set minimum number of external CME hours needed to enroll in a BLS renewal course.
The Standard BLS Recertification Process
The mechanism for renewing a BLS certification is a competency-based evaluation. Professionals have several options available, including the traditional full classroom course, a shorter renewal course, or a blended learning approach. The shorter renewal course is generally available only to those whose certification has not yet expired.
Blended learning is a popular choice, involving an online, self-paced didactic portion followed by a mandatory in-person session. This online component covers the cognitive material, allowing professionals to review the latest guidelines and core concepts. However, completing the online module alone does not result in the issuance of a new certification card.
A hands-on skills session is a mandatory component for obtaining a valid BLS certification from major providers like the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Red Cross (ARC). During this practical assessment, an instructor observes the professional performing high-quality chest compressions and ventilation techniques. Recertification is finalized only after successful completion of both this skills check and a written examination that tests the professional’s theoretical understanding.
How BLS Courses Provide CME and CE Credit
The confusion about required educational hours often stems from the fact that the BLS course itself, both initial and renewal, is frequently accredited to provide Continuing Medical Education (CME) or Continuing Education (CE) credits. The course is recognized by various regulatory bodies as a legitimate educational activity. These credits are not a prerequisite for the BLS card, but rather a benefit received upon successful completion.
When a professional finishes the BLS renewal course, they receive a certificate indicating the number of education hours earned. These hours can be applied toward the mandatory educational requirements established by their state licensing board to maintain their professional license. The BLS course credits satisfy a small portion of the larger educational quota required for licensure, while the BLS card satisfies the competency requirement for employment.
The number of credits granted varies depending on the course format and the accrediting body. A typical BLS renewal course, which generally takes a few hours, is commonly accredited for approximately 4 to 8 hours of Continuing Education credit. This range accounts for differences between providers and whether the course includes additional topics.
Key Differences Between CME and CE
Since the BLS course may offer either CME or CE, it is helpful to understand the distinction between these two types of educational credit. Continuing Medical Education (CME) is the term typically reserved for educational activities aimed at physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurses. The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) often oversees the accreditation of these programs.
Continuing Education (CE) or Continuing Education Units (CEU) is the designation generally applied to educational credits for other licensed healthcare professionals. This includes registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and paramedics. The professional’s specific licensure dictates which type of credit they should record and report.
Frequency and Timing of BLS Renewal
Maintaining continuous BLS coverage requires careful attention to the expiration date. Certification is typically valid for two years from the date of successful completion. Professionals should plan to renew their certification before the current card expires to ensure there is no lapse in coverage.
Continuous certification is often a mandatory condition of employment and is required for maintaining professional liability insurance or hospital privileges. Some employers may mandate renewal sooner than the two-year mark, sometimes requiring renewal several months before the card’s expiration date. Planning ahead ensures compliance and avoids potential gaps that could affect employment status.
Choosing a Recognized BLS Provider
The validity of a professional’s BLS card depends entirely on the recognition of the issuing organization. Most major employers, hospitals, and state licensing boards only accept certification from nationally recognized, traditional providers. The two primary organizations universally accepted are the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Red Cross (ARC).
Using providers that offer purely online, non-accredited courses without a mandatory in-person skills check poses a significant risk. These cards are frequently rejected by institutions because they do not meet the standard requirement for demonstrated hands-on competency. Professionals should verify that the course is sanctioned by one of the major accepted organizations before enrolling.
The requirement for BLS recertification is a demonstration of current competency achieved through a successful written test and hands-on skills assessment. Professionals do not need to accumulate external CME hours to qualify for renewal. While the course itself generates Continuing Education credit, this credit serves to satisfy professional licensure requirements, separate from the need to maintain a valid BLS certification card.