Q. What is PALS certification and who should get it?
PALS stands for Pediatric Advanced Life Support. It is the advanced emergency training credential designed for healthcare providers who respond to critically ill or injured children and infants. Where BLS covers foundational CPR for all ages, PALS adds pediatric-specific systematic assessment, respiratory and circulatory emergency management, arrhythmia interpretation, and post-resuscitation care, skills that general BLS training does not include. PALS certification is required or strongly recommended for pediatricians, pediatric nurses, emergency physicians, paramedics, PICU staff, and any provider who may encounter and lead the response to a pediatric emergency in a clinical or prehospital setting.
Q. Do I need PALS if I already have BLS certification?
Yes. BLS and PALS are complementary credentials that cover very different levels of care. BLS (Basic Life Support) teaches foundational CPR, AED use, and airway management for patients of all ages, and it is the entry-level emergency credential most healthcare roles require. PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) goes significantly further in the pediatric direction, adding systematic pediatric assessment, shock and arrhythmia recognition, pediatric pharmacology, and post-resuscitation protocols specific to children and infants. If you work in pediatric care, emergency medicine, or any setting where children are patients, PALS provides the advanced clinical tools that BLS does not cover.
Q. How long does it take to complete the PALS certification course?
The PALS certification and recertification course is designed to be completed in one to two hours of focused study time, though the self-paced format means you can take as long as you need. The course is fully online with no fixed schedule, so you can spread the modules across multiple sessions if that fits your work schedule better. Progress saves automatically, so stopping and picking back up later does not cost you any completed material. Most learners who set aside a focused block find they can complete the modules and exam attempt in a single sitting.
Q. Is there a written exam at the end of the PALS course?
Yes. A written exam is required to earn your PALS certification. You must pass the final assessment before your certificate is issued. The exam tests your knowledge of the clinical concepts covered in the course, including pediatric assessment, respiratory and circulatory emergency management, arrhythmia recognition, and resuscitation pharmacology. You need to achieve a passing score to receive your certification. The course materials and practice tests remain available to you throughout your enrollment window so you can review any areas where you feel less confident before sitting the final exam.
Q. How long is a PALS certification valid?
A PALS certification from American Health Care Academy is valid for two years from the date you pass the final exam. After two years, you must complete PALS recertification to maintain your credential. Most pediatric departments, emergency services, and clinical programs that require current PALS credentials verify validity during annual staff credentialing reviews. We recommend beginning the recertification process before your certification expires so your PALS coverage remains uninterrupted. A lapsed credential can affect employment eligibility and clinical placement, particularly in pediatric-facing roles where current certification is a non-negotiable condition of work.
Q. When will I receive my PALS certification wallet card?
After you pass the PALS exam and complete payment, your digital PALS certification is available for immediate download from your account dashboard. There is no processing delay: the certificate is ready as soon as your passing score is confirmed and payment clears. Print it for your employer, save a digital copy for your credentialing file, or forward it directly to your hospital's HR or credentialing department. If you also want a physical wallet card, it is mailed to your registered address within 5 to 7 business days after payment is confirmed.
Q. Is the AHCA PALS certificate printable?
Yes. Your PALS certification from American Health Care Academy is available as a high-resolution digital download that you can print on standard letter-size paper or save as a PDF for your records. Once you pass the exam and complete payment, go to your account dashboard and select Verify and Download to access your certificate immediately. The printed certificate includes the course instructor's signature and an embossed seal, along with your full name, certification date, PALS credential details, and course information needed for employer or credentialing body verification. You can print multiple copies and re-download at any time during your two-year validity period.
Q. What is the validity period for AHCA certifications?
American Health Care Academy certifications are generally valid for two years from the date of successful completion. This two-year validity applies to PALS, ACLS, BLS, CPR, and First Aid certifications. The Bloodborne Pathogens certification is the exception, carrying a one-year validity period to align with OSHA's annual retraining recommendation. For PALS specifically, the two-year validity window matches what most hospitals, pediatric programs, and credentialing organizations require. When your PALS certification approaches expiration, you complete recertification online using the same format, reviewing updated ECC-aligned content and meeting the passing threshold to renew.
Q. I did not receive my PALS certificate. What should I do?
If your PALS certification has not arrived in your email inbox after passing the exam, first check your spam or junk folder, since automated certification emails are sometimes filtered. You can also download your certificate at any time by logging into your account and using the Verify and Download option in your dashboard. If the certificate is not showing there either, contact our support team through the Contact Us page at cpraedcourse.com or call 1-888-277-7865. A support agent will locate your record and help you access your certification promptly.
Q. Where will I find the PALS course materials to prepare for the exam?
All PALS course materials are available in your learner account immediately after enrollment. Your study library includes the full PALS curriculum: systematic pediatric assessment, respiratory emergency management, shock recognition and treatment, arrhythmia interpretation, resuscitation pharmacology, and post-resuscitation care. Practice tests are also included to help you prepare for the format and clinical scenario structure of the final exam. Materials remain accessible for 60 days from your enrollment date, so plan your study schedule and exam attempt within that window to ensure you complete the certification on time.
Q. What happens if I do not pass the PALS exam on my first attempt?
If you do not reach the passing score on your first attempt, you can retake the exam. Before retrying, we recommend reviewing the specific module areas where you found the questions most challenging, particularly pediatric rhythm interpretation, pharmacology dosing, and the systematic assessment framework, since targeted review is more effective than rereading everything from the start. Note: Step 4 of the enrollment process on this page specifies that learners have up to three attempts to pass. Confirm the exact attempt policy with our support team if you need clarification before enrolling.
Q. Is taking the exam mandatory after enrolling in the PALS course?
Yes. Completing the final exam is required to earn your PALS certification. After finishing all course modules, you must attempt the assessment and achieve the passing score to receive your certificate. If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam within the attempt window available for this course. Your certificate is issued only after you both pass the exam and complete payment. You have 60 days from your enrollment date to complete all modules and pass the exam, so plan your study schedule accordingly and do not wait until close to the deadline to attempt the assessment.
Q. Where and how do I receive my PALS exam results?
Your PALS exam results are displayed immediately in your learner account dashboard the moment you complete and submit the final assessment. You will see your score and whether it meets the passing threshold required for certification. If you passed, your dashboard will prompt you to proceed to payment and certificate download. If you did not reach the passing score, the dashboard indicates which subject areas you should prioritize in your review before your next attempt. There is no waiting period for results: they are available instantly the second you finish your last answer and submit.
Q. What payment methods are accepted for the PALS certification?
American Health Care Academy accepts all major credit cards, debit cards, and payment platforms including PayPal. Payment for your PALS certification is required only after you have passed the final exam, so you can complete the full course and confirm the content meets your needs before spending anything. The standard price for the PALS certification and recertification course is $119.00. There are no hidden fees, no subscription charges, and no additional cost for exam retakes within the allowed attempt window. Group and corporate clients can arrange bulk pricing by calling 1-888-277-7865.
Q. Are group discounts available for PALS certification courses?
Yes. American Health Care Academy offers group and corporate discount pricing for teams of five or more learners certifying or recertifying together. Group pricing is available on the PALS course as well as combination packages pairing PALS with ACLS, BLS, or other healthcare certifications, which is a common setup for pediatric departments and children's hospitals that need to certify multiple staff at once. For a custom group quote and to set up a group administrator account to manage your team's certifications in one place, call 1-888-277-7865 or visit our group discount page.
Q. How do I register for the PALS certification or recertification course?
Registration is simple. Click the Start Now or Register Now button on this page to begin. You will create an account, select whether you need initial PALS certification or recertification, and gain immediate access to all course modules, practice tests, and clinical scenario materials. You can also certify as a guest without creating a full account. After passing the final exam and completing payment, your PALS certificate is available for immediate download. The full process, from registration through certification, typically takes one to two hours for learners who study the materials and sit the exam in a single focused session.
Q. I lost my PALS certificate or wallet card. How do I get a replacement?
If you have lost your PALS certification card, you can request a replacement without retaking the course. Visit cpraedcourse.com/replacementcards/ to apply or call our customer service center at 1-888-277-7865 for assistance. The replacement card costs $4.99 and will be shipped to your registered address once payment is confirmed. Your PALS certification record is stored in your AHCA account, so a replacement can be issued at any point during your two-year validity period. You can also log into your dashboard at any time and re-download a digital copy of your certificate at no additional cost.
Nationally Accepted
CE Credits Available
AHA Certified Instructors
Accredited by 100+ Boards
Nationally Accepted
CE Credits Available
Accredited by 100+ Boards
