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Free BLS/ACLS Exam Prep

Basic Life Support & Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification

Prepare for the BLS/ACLS exam without spending hundreds on expensive prep courses. Free study guides, practice questions, flashcards, and related exam resources.

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Your Study Path

BLS/ACLS AHA CPR & Resuscitation License: Complete Roadmap

Follow this path to organize your licensing and exam preparation

1

Obtain Current BLS Certification

Complete an AHA BLS Provider course at an authorized training center. Pass the 25-question written exam (84%) and hands-on CPR skills assessment including correct rate (100–120/min) and depth (2–2.4 inches).

4
hours
2

Learn ACLS AlgorithmsYou are here

Study the VF/pVT cardiac arrest algorithm, PEA/asystole algorithm, bradycardia algorithm, and tachycardia algorithm. Practice identifying shockable vs. non-shockable rhythms and knowing the Hs & Ts.

8
hours
3

Master ACLS Pharmacology

Memorize epinephrine 1 mg q3-5 min, amiodarone 300 mg/150 mg (or lidocaine 1-1.5 mg/kg), atropine 1 mg q3-5 min (max 3 mg), adenosine 6 mg/12 mg. Know IO access as equivalent to IV.

4
hours
4

Special Situations & Post-Arrest Care

Review stroke management (FAST, tPA window, BP targets), ACS (MONA, primary PCI), post-ROSC care (TTM 32–37.5°C, MAP ≥65), and special situations (pregnancy, hypothermia, drowning, pediatrics).

6
hours
5

Practice Questions and Megacode Review

Complete 200+ practice questions targeting weak areas. Review megacode scenarios for ACLS. Focus on integrating team dynamics (closed-loop communication, role assignment) into your resuscitation workflow.

6
hours
Estimated total study time
28 hours
That's about 3 weeks at 10 hours/week

Can You Take the BLS/ACLS Exam?

Check if you meet the basic eligibility requirements

Age
No minimum age requirement (adult healthcare provider courses)
Education
No formal education prerequisite for BLS; BLS required for ACLS
Background Check
Not required
Fingerprinting
Not required
Additional Requirements
  • ACLS requires current BLS certification prior to enrollment
  • Must attend an AHA-authorized training center for official certification
  • Online-only ACLS courses do not meet AHA standards — hands-on skills testing required
  • Renewal (HeartCode) courses are available for 2-year recertification

BLS/ACLS Quick Facts

Time to Get Licensed

1–2 weeks (BLS); 2–4 weeks with ACLS

From start to license in hand

Exam Provider

AHA Authorized Training Centers (in-person skills required)

In-Person Only
Schedule Your Exam

Retake Policy

No official AHA wait period for retakes, but training centers may have their own policies. Most allow same-day or next-day retake for skills failures. Written exam retakes available after review with instructor.

Total Cost Breakdown

Exam Fee$30–$75 (BLS); $150–$290 (ACLS) at AHA-authorized training centers
Total Estimated Cost$50–$350 including provider card and study materials
Why Choose Us

Free BLS/ACLS Prep Tools

Reported exam pass rate: ~85–95% (AHA-authorized course completers). Check the exam sponsor for the latest official figure.

200+ Practice Questions

Practice by topic with detailed answer explanations

AI Tutor Explains Mistakes

Understand why answers are wrong, not just which ones

Updated for 2026

Review the latest update date on each resource

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What You'll Study

7 chapters covering the exam topics in this guide

BLS/ACLS Exam Details

Basic Life Support & Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification

Administered by American Heart Association (AHA)

Official Source
84% written plus required skills tests for AHA BLS and ACLS course completion
Passing Score
25
Questions
45–60
Minutes
$50–$290 (BLS: $30–$75; ACLS: $150–$290)
Exam Fee
Study time: 8–20 hours (BLS); 20–40 hours (ACLS)
Prerequisites: Current BLS certification required for ACLS
Valid for: 2 years

Exam Content Breakdown

Based on the official American Heart Association (AHA) content outline

BLS Skills & CPR Technique (25%)25%

Adult/child/infant CPR rates and depths, AED use, airway management, rescue breathing, 2-rescuer CPR

Cardiac Arrest Management (25%)25%

VF/pVT algorithm, PEA/asystole, Hs & Ts, ROSC management, post-cardiac arrest care, ETCO2

Arrhythmia Management (20%)20%

Bradycardia (atropine, TCP), tachycardia (cardioversion, adenosine), rhythm recognition, synchronized cardioversion

ACLS Pharmacology (15%)15%

Epinephrine 1 mg q3-5 min, amiodarone 300/150 mg, lidocaine, atropine 1 mg q3-5 min to 3 mg max, adenosine 6/12 mg, IV/IO access

Special Resuscitation Situations (15%)15%

Stroke (FAST, tPA eligibility), ACS (MONA, primary PCI), pregnancy, hypothermia, drowning, opioid overdose, pediatric differences

What's Included

7 Chapters

Complete exam coverage

Practice Quizzes

With detailed explanations

Free to Start

No credit card required

Ran Chen - AI Engineer, CFP®
CFP®
Why It's Free

Quality Exam Prep Shouldn't Cost Hundreds

I'm Ran Chen, an engineer with 20+ years of coding experience. I passed my Life Insurance license, EA exam, SIE, Series 6, 63, 65, and finally the CFP® exam.

Through all these exams, one thing became clear: exam prep is expensive. But with AI, we can change that. Quality preparation can now be free for everyone.

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What's Next After the BLS/ACLS?

After passing the BLS/ACLS, you can pursue these career paths

BLS/ACLS Exam FAQ

Official American Heart Association (AHA) Resources

Verify information with these official sources

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