Best BLS Certification Online and ACLS Providers for Med Spas (2026): 7 Compared

For med spa owners, medical directors, nurse injectors and clinical teams. Updated October 22, 2026 · Prepared by Prospyr. If you are comparing BLS certification online options for your team, this list covers the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Red Cross and five AHA training centers that run the hands-on part. Prospyr makes practice software, not CPR or life support training, and none of the organizations below is a Prospyr product or partner. Each summary reflects what the organization publishes on its own website, checked October 2026. Prices, formats and locations change, so confirm the card your employer, medical director or state board accepts, in writing, before you book.

Can you get BLS certification online?

You can do the coursework for BLS certification online, but the two main US card issuers both tie certification to a hands-on skills check. The AHA's store states that after the HeartCode BLS online portion, "you must complete a hands-on session (sold separately) with an AHA Training Center to obtain a course completion card." The Red Cross describes blended BLS as online coursework followed by a skills demonstration with a certified instructor, and cautions that its online-only option does not include a skills demonstration and may not satisfy workplace requirements. Many employers, licensing boards and medical directors ask for an AHA or Red Cross card earned with that skills check, so a med spa should treat "100% online" offers with care and ask which card is issued.

BLS (Basic Life Support) covers high-quality CPR, AED use and team-based response for healthcare providers. ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support; the Red Cross calls its version ALS) builds on BLS with cardiac arrest, stroke and airway management. Which providers in your practice need which card is set by your medical director, your state rules and any accreditation body you work with.

The 7 BLS and ACLS certification providers at a glance

How we chose this list

We started with the two organizations whose BLS cards US employers most often name, the AHA and the American Red Cross, then added AHA training centers that (1) state on their own site that they are an AHA Training Center, (2) issue a card only after a hands-on or instructor-verified skills session, (3) serve more than one city, and (4) describe a group or on-site option a practice can book for its team. We left out online-only certificate sellers that are not an AHA or Red Cross issuer, because the AHA and Red Cross both describe a skills check as part of earning their cards. The order is our editorial view, not a ranking of training quality. Thousands of local AHA Training Centers and Red Cross Licensed Training Providers exist; the AHA and Red Cross class finders are the best way to find one near each location.

1American Heart Association (HeartCode BLS and ACLS)#

The American Heart Association publishes the BLS and ACLS courses that most US hospitals and practices recognize. Its HeartCode products are the online portion of blended learning: the AHA store describes HeartCode BLS as a self-directed eLearning program "designed for healthcare professionals who need Basic Life Support training for their clinical duties," and states that students who complete the cognitive portion and the hands-on skills session receive an AHA BLS Provider course completion card (eCard), valid for two years.

What stands out:

• Published online price. The AHA store lists HeartCode BLS at $38 and HeartCode ACLS at $178 per student, with volume discounts on larger orders (as of October 2026). The skills session is sold separately by the training center.
• Two ways to finish. For HeartCode ACLS, the AHA states providers complete the online portion, then a hands-on skills session "with an AHA ACLS Instructor or a HeartCode compatible manikin."
• ACLS manual included. The AHA states access to the ACLS Provider Manual eBook is included with HeartCode ACLS.

Right for: any practice whose medical director or employer policy names an AHA card. Ask: your local AHA Training Center what its skills session costs and how soon after the online portion you must book it, since training centers set their own deadlines.

Visit American Heart Association (HeartCode BLS and ACLS) →

2American Red Cross (BLS and ALS)#

The American Red Cross runs BLS and Advanced Life Support (ALS) as part of its Resuscitation Suite for healthcare professionals. Its state BLS pages describe in-person, blended (online plus in-person skills session), recertification, challenge and self-directed formats that result in a 2-year BLS certification. The Red Cross estimates an instructor-led course at about 4.5 hours, and blended learning at about 1 to 2 hours online plus a 2 to 3 hour skills session.

What stands out:

• On-site team training. The Red Cross states an instructor can come to your location with the equipment, with an 8-person billing minimum for on-site groups; smaller groups are pointed to community classes.
• ALS certificate. The Red Cross states ALS blended learning combines online coursework with an in-person skills session with a certified instructor, and that passing both earns a two-year ALS certificate. It lists adult BLS proficiency as a prerequisite.
• Verifiable certificates. Its BLS course page states completers get a 2-year digital certificate with a unique ID and QR code.

Right for: practices whose employer policy or medical director accepts a Red Cross card, and teams of eight or more that want one on-site session. Ask: whether your state board, malpractice carrier and any hospital where your providers hold privileges accept Red Cross ALS in place of AHA ACLS.

Visit American Red Cross (BLS and ALS) →

3Citywide CPR#

Citywide CPR describes itself as an AHA Training Center offering BLS, ACLS and PALS as online plus skills or skills-only, with flexible daily appointments at locations throughout the United States. Its site says students complete the AHA online course, perform the skills session on a voice-assisted manikin (VAM), and receive an AHA eCard the same day.

What stands out:

• Short skills visits. Citywide states most appointments take about 30 minutes.
• Virtual BLS skills. It describes shipping practice equipment to your door and running the BLS skills session on a live video call with a certified AHA instructor.
• Team options. Its menu lists group CPR training at your workplace for healthcare teams, an onsite quote request, and AED and medical direction program management.

Right for: multi-location practices that want providers to renew on their own schedule. Ask: whether every location near your practices offers ACLS skills, and group pricing for your whole team.

Visit Citywide CPR →

4Bayside CPR#

Bayside CPR describes itself as an authorized AHA Training Center with locations across 18 states and Washington, D.C., including Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, the Carolinas, Florida and Georgia. Its BLS and ACLS courses pair the HeartCode online portion with an in-person skills session.

What stands out:

• Published prices. Its site lists the BLS course (initial and renewal) at $90 to $120 and the ACLS course at $150 to $295 (as of October 2026).
• Same-day eCard. Bayside states the AHA eCard is issued once you complete the skills session, valid for two years.
• Group training. It offers on-site group training at your location.

Right for: practices on the East Coast and in the South that want a published price before they call. Ask: what the price range depends on, and whether a group session can be scheduled at your practice.

Visit Bayside CPR →

5Safety Training Seminars#

Safety Training Seminars describes itself as an official AHA Training Center with 100+ locations in California, training since 1989. It lists AHA BLS, ACLS and PALS, skills-only sessions for people who have finished HeartCode, and a virtual BLS course.

What stands out:

• Published prices. Its site lists AHA BLS at $120 and AHA ACLS at $290 (as of October 2026).
• Daily schedule. It states classes run every day, including evenings and weekends, with the certification card issued the same day you complete skills testing.
• Group classes. Its menu lists discounted group classes.

Right for: California med spas, including multi-location groups across the Bay Area and Sacramento. Ask: group pricing and whether an instructor can run the session at your practice.

Visit Safety Training Seminars →

6HealthForce Training Center#

HealthForce Training Center describes itself as an AHA Training Center that has taught AHA courses since 2009, with sites in Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Texas. It names doctors' offices and dental clinics among the organizations it trains, and states all students receive a two-year AHA certification.

What stands out:

• Training at your office. HealthForce describes corporate on-site training at your location, blended or instructor-led, with private classes available.
• Accelerated formats. It lists accelerated one-day ACLS and PALS options and HeartCode skills sessions.
• Same-day certification. Its site advertises same-day certification.

Right for: practices in the Northeast, North Central Florida, Dallas-Fort Worth or San Antonio that want one session for the whole team at the office. Ask: for a written group quote and its rescheduling policy, since its site lists fees for same-day changes.

Visit HealthForce Training Center →

7HeartTraining#

HeartTraining describes itself as a woman-owned AHA Authorized Training Center operating since 2006, offering BLS, ACLS, PALS and Heartsaver courses in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas. Its site says it was founded by a former emergency department nurse and AHA instructor.

What stands out:

• Two formats. Classroom courses with an AHA instructor (at its Overland Park location), or a self-guided CPR Verification Station with a live instructor supporting by phone or Zoom.
• Same-day card. It states the AHA course completion card is issued the same day you pass the skills session, valid for two years.
• Group and on-site. Its site lists group training and on-site training requests.

Right for: Midwest and Southern Plains practices that want a short skills visit or a group class. Ask: which of its listed locations offer ACLS skills and whether it travels to your practice.

Visit HeartTraining →

Questions to ask any BLS or ACLS provider

1. Which card do we need? Ask your medical director, your malpractice carrier and, for providers with hospital privileges, the hospital. Many name an AHA or Red Cross card earned with a hands-on skills check.
2. Is the issuer the AHA or the Red Cross? For AHA courses, confirm the provider is an AHA Training Center or works under one. For Red Cross, confirm it is a Red Cross Licensed Training Provider.
3. What is the all-in price? Get the online portion, skills session, card and any manual as one number per person.
4. How soon must the skills session follow the online course? Deadlines vary by issuer and training center.
5. Can you train at our practice? Ask the group minimum, the travel fee and how many people one instructor covers.
6. Who needs ACLS? That is a medical director and state-rule decision, not a training-company one. If you offer IV therapy, see our list of IV therapy certification courses.
7. How will we track expirations? Cards are typically valid for two years. Keep a renewal date per person and book group sessions before the earliest one lapses.

Where Prospyr fits

BLS training prepares your team for the rare emergency; your practice record shapes what they know walking into it. Prospyr's aesthetic EMR keeps each patient's medical history, treatment notes and charts on one record, so the provider in the room sees the same information as the one who booked the visit. For the equipment side, see our list of emergency kits and crash carts, or book a practice demo.

For the rest of your annual compliance training, see our lists of OSHA training for medical offices and team training platforms for clinics.

Frequently asked questions

Is an online-only BLS certification valid for a med spa?

It depends on who is asking for it, but many employers and medical directors require an AHA or Red Cross card earned with a hands-on skills check. The AHA states its HeartCode online portion must be followed by a hands-on session to obtain a card, and the Red Cross cautions that its online-only option may not satisfy workplace requirements. Confirm with your medical director before your team buys an online-only course.

How long is BLS certification good for?

The AHA states its BLS Provider eCard is valid for two years, and the Red Cross states its BLS and ALS certificates are valid for two years. Renew before the date on the card.

What is the difference between BLS and ACLS?

BLS covers CPR, AED use and team response for healthcare providers. ACLS builds on BLS with cardiac arrest, stroke and airway management, and the Red Cross lists adult BLS proficiency as a prerequisite for its ALS course. Your medical director decides which providers need ACLS.

How much does BLS certification cost?

As of October 2026, the AHA lists the HeartCode BLS online portion at $38, with the skills session priced by each training center. Bayside CPR lists its full BLS course at $90 to $120 and Safety Training Seminars lists AHA BLS at $120. Ask for the all-in price per person and a group rate.

Is Red Cross BLS the same as AHA BLS?

They are separate programs from separate organizations, and both describe a 2-year certificate earned with a skills session. Some employers and hospitals name only one, so check the written requirement before choosing.

Want your company considered?

We review this list quarterly. AHA Training Centers, Red Cross Licensed Training Providers and other organizations that issue BLS or ACLS cards to healthcare teams can send their website and what they offer practices to info@prospyrmed.com. Inclusion is editorial and not paid.

Editorial scope

This list is based on each organization's public website, checked October 2026 with AI-assisted research. Organizations did not review this article before publication. It is not medical or legal advice, not a guarantee of card acceptance, and not a substitute for confirming requirements with your medical director, employer, state board and any accrediting body. Read our methodology or report a correction.