How to Verify ACLS or BLS Certification

Quick answer

AHA cards issued after 2013 have a QR code or eCard verification link — scan or enter the card ID at cpr.heart.org/en/cpr-courses-and-kits/healthcare-professional/training-center-locator or verify via the AHA eCard system. Red Cross cards can be verified at redcross.org → Verify Certification. Physical cards alone are not sufficient — require digital verification.

The certification landscape: who issues BLS and ACLS

Multiple organizations offer BLS and ACLS training, but not all are recognized equally by healthcare employers and accreditors:

Organization	Credentials	Hospital Acceptance
American Heart Association (AHA)	BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP	Universal — required by most hospitals
American Red Cross	BLS, ACLS, PALS	Widely accepted
National CPR Foundation / others	CPR/AED, BLS	Often not accepted for clinical roles

Online-only certifications are a red flag

AHA and Red Cross BLS and ACLS require an in-person skills check with a trained instructor. Certifications from providers offering 100% online completion with no skills verification are not acceptable for clinical positions and are not recognized by The Joint Commission.

Verifying AHA certifications

Method 1: AHA eCard verification (post-2013 cards)

Since 2013, AHA issues electronic course completion cards (eCards) for most certification courses. Each eCard has a unique ID and QR code.

1. Ask the candidate for their eCard — they receive it by email or via the AHA portal.
2. Scan the QR code or enter the card ID at the AHA verification URL printed on the card.
3. The AHA system confirms the course name, completion date, expiration date, and issuing Training Center.

Method 2: AHA Training Center verification

Every legitimate AHA certification is issued through an authorized AHA Training Center. The Training Center name and location appear on valid cards. You can:

› Use the AHA Training Center locator to confirm the Training Center listed on the card actually exists and is AHA-authorized.
› Contact the Training Center directly to confirm the class roster if the eCard verification fails or the card predates the eCard system.

Method 3: Red Cross verification

Red Cross certifications can be verified at redcross.org → Training & Certification → Verify Certification. Enter the certification ID from the card. The system confirms the certification type, issue date, and expiration.

Red flags for fraudulent BLS/ACLS cards

› No QR code or eCard ID: Post-2013 AHA cards should have a QR code or eCard ID. A laminated physical card with no digital reference is suspicious.
› No training center name: All legitimate AHA certifications list the issuing Training Center. A missing or generic training center name is a red flag.
› 100% online provider: AHA does not issue BLS or ACLS certifications for courses completed entirely online without an in-person skills check.
› eCard verification fails: If the QR code or ID cannot be verified at the AHA system, treat the certification as unverified and require retesting.
› Expired certification: AHA BLS and ACLS certifications are valid for 2 years. PALS is also 2 years. Always check the expiration date, not just the completion date.

What hospitals require during credentialing

Hospitals credentialing clinical staff typically require:

› Current, unexpired BLS (all clinical staff) and ACLS (required for RNs, MDs, and clinical staff in critical care, ED, procedural areas)
› AHA or Red Cross certification — not online-only providers
› Primary source verification via eCard or Training Center contact — photocopies are generally not accepted as primary source
› Recertification tracking — credentials must be reverified before expiration to maintain staff privileges

Verify the nursing or allied health school

Beyond BLS/ACLS cards, clinical hiring requires verifying the foundational degree and license. Use VerifyED to confirm school accreditation and catch diploma mill credentials before they reach your clinical teams.

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