BLS Certification for Nurses & Allied Health Professionals: A Complete Guide

Whether you’re a nurse, rad tech, or respiratory therapist, BLS certification is essential for your clinical role and your career. For travel clinicians especially, Basic Life Support is often the first credential required before you can accept a contract.certification

This guide explains exactly what BLS is, who needs it and how to get or renew it.

What Is BLS Certification?

To become a Certified Lactation Counselor, nurses must complete a specialized training program and pass a national certification exam administered by the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice (ALPP). Here's a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Meet the prerequisites
   You don’t need to be an RN to pursue CLC certification, but nurses are especially well-positioned to succeed due to their clinical experience.
2. Enroll in an approved training course
   ALPP-approved courses are typically 45 hours in length and cover the physiology, management, and counseling aspects of breastfeeding.
3. Complete the course
   This can be done online or in-person, depending on the provider.
4. Pass the CLC exam
   A 2.5-hour, 100-question, multiple-choice exam evaluates your knowledge and skills.
5. Receive your credential
   Upon passing, you’ll receive a certificate and badge that validates your status as a Certified Lactation Counselor.
   

Quick Link: Visit  to browse upcoming training sessions and exam dates.

Who Needs BLS Certification in Healthcare?

An active BLS is required for any clinician involved in direct patient care.

Nurses (Travel & Staff RNs)

• Staff RNs
• ER and ICU nurses
• Travel nurses
• Pre-op, PACU, telemetry, and med-surg nurses

Allied Health Professionals

• Respiratory Therapists
• Lab Technicians
• Surgical Technologist
• Radiologic and Imaging Techs
• Physical & Occupational Therapists
• Cath Lab Tech

Why BLS Certification Matters for Your Career

In addition to being a hospital and agency requirement, BLS affects your:

• Job eligibility: You can’t start most clinical roles without it
• Contract readiness: Delays in credentialing can mean lost income
• Professional trust: Demonstrates core clinical competency
• Pay potential: Opens access to more contracts, faster

BLS vs ACLS vs PALS vs CPR: What’s the Difference?

What is the difference between BLS vs ACLS vs PALS vs CPR? BLS provides essential CPR and AED training for all healthcare providers, while ACLS and PALS build on these skills for advanced cardiac or pediatric emergencies. NRP is specialized for newborn care, and Heartsaver is a basic CPR course for the general public.

• Choose your course provider: Options include Healthy Children Project, Lactation Education Resources, and others
• Plan for study time: Many nurses complete the training in 1–2 weeks
• Schedule your exam: Exams are offered online and in-person
• Apply continuing education credits: Some programs qualify for CEUs or contact hours

Stay organized by setting calendar reminders for course deadlines, exam registration, and certification paperwork.

How to Get BLS Certified

1. Choose Your Certification Provider

• American Heart Association (AHA) – Preferred by most hospitals

• Red Cross – Widely accepted, especially in outpatient settings

2. Pick a Format

• In-person: Traditional classroom setting with hands-on practice

• Hybrid (blended): Online coursework + in-person skills session

• Fully online: Not typically valid for clinicians 

3. Enroll in a Course

• Find a class through AHA’s website or Red Cross

• Local hospitals

• Independent providers

4. Complete the Course & Exam

• Expect 2–4 hours total

• Includes video learning, skills testing, and computer-based assessment 

5. Receive Your Digital BLS eCard

• Save this in your credentialing wallet or CEU tracker

BLS Certification Cost & Renewal

BLS certification typically costs $60–$100 for initial certification, with renewal courses ranging from $45–$85 and skills sessions from $24–$60. It is valid for two years, takes about 1.5–2 hours to renew, and the fastest renewal option is a blended online course plus skills session. 

Note: Nomad offers reimbursement for BLS certification.

• Valid for: 2 years

• Renewal Time: 1.5–2 hours

• Fastest Way to Renew: Blended online + skills session

Digital Credentialing for Travel Clinicians

Keeping your credentials updated — and easy to access — is key for travel clinicians.

Nomad Health simplifies credentialing:

1. Upload your BLS eCard securely to your Nomad profile

2. We’ll verify it for job matching and hospital compliance

3. Use a CEU wallet app (e.g., Pocket Nurse or NurseGrid) to stay organized

Pro Tip: Set calendar reminders at 20 months to avoid expiration between contracts.

The Future of BLS Certification

Training is getting smarter — and faster. Here’s what’s evolving in 2025 and beyond:

• AI-driven BLS simulations to personalize learning

• VR-based training modules for remote clinicians

• Instant digital badges and compliance sync with staffing platforms

• State-specific mandates requiring digital submission of BLS status

• Real time feedback / Q CPR

As BLS becomes more connected to credentialing systems, being digitally prepared gives you a hiring edge.

Note: These systems use technology (like an iPad or a similar device) connected to the manikin to provide real-time feedback on the quality of chest compressions during CPR. Specifically, it measures:

• Compression depth (how deep the chest compressions are)

• Compression rate (how fast you’re compressing)

• Full recoil (whether the chest fully returns to its normal position between compressions)

The iPad or device displays metrics like depth, rate, and whether you're meeting the ideal CPR guidelines, helping ensure that participants perform the technique correctly and effectively. This real-time feedback is crucial in training for high-quality CPR, which increases the chances of survival in real emergencies.