Yes, we mail the hard copy of your ACLS/PALS/BLS Provider card along with your CE certificate which you receive within one week of completion.
For healthcare professionals who care for infants and children in critical care units, emergency departments, or pre-hospital settings, maintaining an active PALS certification is essential. The Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) equips nurses, emergency responders, and other clinicians with the skills and specific interventions needed to manage cardiac and respiratory emergencies in pediatric patients.
If you’ve ever wondered how long PALS is good for, when it expires, or how to renew your certification efficiently, this guide explains it all — including details about the initial PALS certification, recertification courses, and online training options from AMRI.
If you’re asking, “How long is PALS good for?” or “How long does PALS certification last?” — the answer is simple: your PALS certification course is valid for two years after course completion.
Your course completion card (also known as a PALS provider card) will display the certification and expiration dates. Once that date passes, your certification is no longer valid, and you’ll need to complete a PALS recertification course to stay compliant.
This two-year validity applies to all PALS programs, whether you completed the initial certification or a recertification course. Many medical institutions and nursing schools require students and staff to maintain current certification for participation in critical care and emergency medicine rotations.
Your PALS certification expires on the exact date shown on your card — not at the end of the month. Once that day passes, you are no longer valid as a certified PALS provider.
There is no official “grace period,” so most healthcare professionals begin the renewal process about a month before their PALS expiration date.
If your certification has already expired, you can still complete the online PALS recertification course from AMRI. It’s designed for busy professionals who prefer the flexibility of an online portion while still reviewing the essential course content that aligns with the latest PALS guidelines.
The initial PALS certification course and recertification course both focus on equipping students with the knowledge and interventions required for high-quality pediatric emergency response.
Key topics covered include:
Primary and secondary assessments for infants and children
Initial impression and pediatric assessment techniques
Recognition and management of cardiac emergencies and respiratory emergencies
Use of the automated external defibrillator (AED) in pediatric settings
Effective team dynamics and communication in intensive care situations
Integration of specific interventions to stabilize pediatric patients
Hands-on learning stations (for in-person courses) or detailed online modules for digital learners
Students also complete a PALS precourse self-assessment to verify understanding of ECG rhythms, pharmacology, and pediatric care algorithms before beginning the main training program.
Both PALS and ACLS certification prepare clinicians for advanced life support scenarios.
While ACLS training focuses on adult cardiac emergencies, PALS training centers on the unique anatomy, physiology, and emergency response protocols for infants and children.
Many healthcare professionals—especially those working in critical care units or emergency medicine—choose to hold both certifications to ensure they can respond to cardiac arrest and respiratory failure across all age groups.
Renewing your PALS certification ensures you maintain the ability to respond effectively during critical situations involving infants and children. The renewal process reinforces essential skills taught in the ACLS training and expands on pediatric-specific care, including airway management, resuscitation protocols, and the use of an automated external defibrillator.
Whether you’re ACLS certified or pursuing your PALS renewal for the first time, staying current helps you provide safe, evidence-based patient care during emergencies.
AMRI’s online PALS recertification course makes it simple for nurses, students, and emergency responders to renew from anywhere.
Here’s how it works:
Enroll in the PALS recertification course on AMRI’s official website.
Complete the online portion at your own pace — from any device.
Review study materials and take the self-assessment to strengthen your understanding.
Pass the exam and receive your updated PALS completion card instantly.
Your new certification will be valid for two years from the date of course completion.