ACLS Certification Ottawa

ACLS Course in Ottawa | Heart & Stroke ACLS Certification & Renewal

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Training for Healthcare Providers in Ottawa, Ontario

Looking for an ACLS course in Ottawa? First Aid Plus is an authorized Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada Training Site offering the Heart & Stroke ACLS Provider course, the one-day ACLS Provider Renewal (recertification) course, and ACLS Blended learning at our training centre in Nepean, serving Ottawa, Kanata, Barrhaven, Orleans, Gatineau and Eastern Ontario.

Heart & Stroke ACLS is designed for physicians, nurses, paramedics, respiratory therapists and other healthcare professionals who direct or participate in the management of cardiac arrest, stroke, acute coronary syndromes, dysrhythmias and other life-threatening cardiovascular emergencies.

Through video-based instruction, hands-on skills practice, simulated clinical scenarios and team-based Megacode exercises, participants build the knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver advanced life support as part of a high-performance resuscitation team.

Your Heart & Stroke ACLS card is recognized by hospitals, colleges and regulatory bodies across Canada and is valid for two years.

What Is ACLS? (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Explained)

ACLS stands for Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support. It is the advanced resuscitation certification that healthcare providers take after Basic Life Support (BLS).

The Heart & Stroke ACLS course builds on BLS skills and teaches a systematic approach to the assessment and management of adult cardiopulmonary emergencies. Participants in our Ottawa ACLS course practise and demonstrate proficiency in:

Systematic patient assessment
High-quality BLS and CPR
Airway management and ventilation
ECG rhythm recognition
Defibrillation and synchronized cardioversion
Transcutaneous pacing
ACLS medications and pharmacology
IV/IO access (information only)
Bradycardia and tachycardia algorithms
Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and myocardial infarction
Acute stroke recognition and management
Immediate post-cardiac arrest care
Systems of care
High-performance team dynamics, communication and leadership

The course emphasizes three core concepts: the importance of high-quality CPR to survival, the integration of BLS with ACLS interventions, and effective team communication and leadership during resuscitation.

Who Needs ACLS Certification?

ACLS certification is required or recommended for healthcare professionals who direct or participate in the management of cardiac arrest and other cardiovascular emergencies, including:

Physicians, residents and medical students
Registered nurses, registered practical nurses and nurse practitioners
Paramedics (PCP, ACP, CCP)
Respiratory therapists
Emergency department, ICU, CCU, cardiac cath lab and operating room staff
Dental and anesthesia professionals
Nursing, paramedic and medical students requiring ACLS for clinical placement
Any healthcare professional whose employer, regulatory college, school or professional designation requires an ACLS course completion card

ACLS requirements vary by employer, organization and program. Confirm the specific certification you need with your employer or educational institution before registering.

ACLS Provider vs. ACLS Renewal: Which Course Do I Need?

Heart & Stroke ACLS Provider Course (2 Days)

The full ACLS Provider course is for participants taking ACLS for the first time, or whose previous Heart & Stroke ACLS card has expired.

Format: instructor-led, video-based, with hands-on practice and simulated scenarios
Length: 14 hours (2 days)
Certification: Heart & Stroke ACLS Provider card, valid 2 years
Price: $350 + HST

Heart & Stroke ACLS Provider Renewal / Recertification (1 Day)

The ACLS Renewal course (also called ACLS recertification) is a concentrated one-day course for experienced providers who hold a current, unexpired Heart & Stroke ACLS Provider card.

Format: instructor-led, video-based, with skills evaluation and simulated scenarios
Length: 7 hours (1 day)
Certification: Heart & Stroke ACLS Provider card, valid 2 years
Price: $225 + HST

Important: Heart & Stroke does not permit participants with an expired ACLS card to attend the Renewal course. Your card expires two years to the day after it was issued. If it has expired, you must complete the full ACLS Provider course. Bring your current card (printed or digital) to class.

ACLS Blended Learning (Online + In-Class)

The ACLS Blended course combines self-paced online learning with a 10-hour instructor-led classroom session in Ottawa for skills practice, simulations and testing. The online portion must be completed before attending the in-class session. Ideal for shift workers and busy clinicians.

https://firstaidplus.ca/products/advanced-cardiac-life-support-acls

Not sure which ACLS course you need? Contact First Aid Plus before registering and we will confirm the right option for you.

ACLS Course Prerequisites

Heart & Stroke ACLS is an advanced-level course. Every participant must meet the following before attending:

1. A current Heart & Stroke BLS Provider card Your BLS must be issued by the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada. BLS or CPR certificates from other agencies (Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, Lifesaving Society, etc.) are not accepted for ACLS. If your Heart & Stroke BLS has expired, or you hold BLS from another provider, you must either:

complete the full Heart & Stroke BLS Provider course in Ottawa, or
complete the online Heart & Stroke BLS Provider Renewal Prerequisite Challenge (approx. $10, valid 90 days) and then attend a BLS Renewal course.

Many participants book BLS and ACLS together. Ask us about combined scheduling.

2. The mandatory ACLS Precourse Self-Assessment A passing score of 70% or higher is required. The link is sent to you after registration. Print your certificate and bring it to class.

3. Required course materials See "What You Need Before Your ACLS Course" below.

4. Expected entry-level competencies Participants are expected to arrive able to:

perform high-quality BLS according to current Heart & Stroke guidelines
recognize core ECG rhythms on a monitor and paper tracing (sinus rhythm, sinus bradycardia and tachycardia, first-, second- and third-degree AV block, SVT, VT, VF, asystole and PEA)
demonstrate a basic understanding of the drugs used in cardiac arrest, bradycardia, tachycardia and post-cardiac arrest care

CPR, ECG interpretation and pharmacology are not taught in the ACLS course; they are assessed. Need an ECG refresher first? Ask about our ECG interpretation course.

What You Need Before Your ACLS Course

Heart & Stroke requires each participant to have their own current ACLS course materials before, during and after the course. Materials are not included in the course fee.

Required materials:

Heart & Stroke ACLS Provider Manual
Heart & Stroke Handbook of Emergency Cardiovascular Care for Healthcare Providers

Materials are available directly from First Aid Plus (ACLS course materials) or from the Heart & Stroke online store. We recommend reading the Provider Manual in full before attending.

You will also need a Heart & Stroke ID number to be registered for your course. If you do not have one, create a free account on the Heart & Stroke Resuscitation Portal at cpr.heartandstroke.ca before registering.

How Long Is the ACLS Course?

ACLS Course	Length
ACLS Provider (initial certification)	14 hours (2 days)
ACLS Provider Renewal (recertification)	7 hours (1 day)
ACLS Blended	Self-paced online + 10 hours in class

How Long Is ACLS Certification Valid in Canada?

A Heart & Stroke ACLS Provider course completion card is valid for two years to the day from the date it was issued.

Your employer, educational institution or professional organization may require more frequent renewal. To attend the one-day ACLS Renewal course, your card must still be current on the day of the course.

ACLS Certification Requirements

To receive a Heart & Stroke ACLS Provider card, participants must:

complete the mandatory Precourse Self-Assessment (70% or higher)
hold a current Heart & Stroke BLS Provider card
attend the full course
demonstrate high-quality BLS skills
participate in and successfully complete the simulated resuscitation scenarios (Megacode)
pass the written exam
pass the practical skills test

Successful participants receive a Heart & Stroke ACLS Provider card valid for two years.

Where Is ACLS Training Offered? Ottawa and Eastern Ontario

First Aid Plus Training Centre 101-301 Moodie Drive Ottawa (Nepean), Ontario K2H 9C4 Free on-site parking. Minutes from Kanata, Barrhaven, Bells Corners and Stittsville; easy access from Gatineau and downtown Ottawa via Highway 417.

Additional ACLS course dates are scheduled in Thunder Bay and Gananoque, and on request in Kingston, Pembroke, Arnprior, Kemptville, Smiths Falls and the Montreal region.

We also deliver on-site ACLS training for hospitals, clinics, EMS services, long-term care facilities and healthcare teams anywhere in Ontario and Quebec. Contact us to discuss group or workplace ACLS training.

ACLS Course Price in Ottawa

ACLS Course	Price
ACLS Provider (2 days)	$350 + HST
ACLS Provider Renewal (1 day)	$225 + HST
ACLS Blended	$285 + HST

Course fees include instruction, equipment and your Heart & Stroke ACLS Provider card. Required course materials (Provider Manual and ECC Handbook) are purchased separately.

For group bookings or organizational training, contact us for a customized quotation. Ask about our Price Match Guarantee.

How to Register for ACLS in Ottawa

1. Choose your course Select ACLS Provider or ACLS Provider Renewal based on your current certification. If unsure, contact us first.

2. Confirm your prerequisites Make sure you hold a current Heart & Stroke BLS Provider card and, for Renewal, a current Heart & Stroke ACLS card.

3. Get your Heart & Stroke ID Create a free account on the Heart & Stroke Resuscitation Portal if you don't already have one.

4. Select your date and register online Each participant must register with their own email address.

5. Order your course materials Obtain the ACLS Provider Manual and ECC Handbook and review them before class.

6. Complete the Precourse Self-Assessment Score 70% or higher and bring your certificate to class.

7. Attend your course Participate in the instruction, skills practice, simulations, written exam and skills test.

8. Receive your certification Your Heart & Stroke ACLS Provider card is issued on successful completion.

https://firstaidplus.ca/products/advanced-cardiac-life-support-acls

Why Choose First Aid Plus for ACLS Training in Ottawa?

Authorized Heart & Stroke Training Site First Aid Plus is an authorized Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada Training Site. Your ACLS card is issued by Heart & Stroke and recognized by healthcare employers, colleges and regulatory bodies across Canada.

Experienced Clinical Instructors Learn from physicians, nurses, paramedics and critical-care clinicians who use these skills in practice and bring real cases into the classroom.

Practical, Scenario-Based Training ACLS is about more than memorizing algorithms. Our training emphasizes realistic simulations, hands-on practice, communication, teamwork and clinical decision-making.

Flexible Options Full Provider, one-day Renewal, Blended learning, multiple locations, weekend dates, and on-site delivery for healthcare teams and organizations.

Bilingual Service Training and support available in English and French. Formation ACLS (SARC) disponible en français.

Canadian and Veteran Owned First Aid Plus is a 100% Canadian, veteran-owned company serving Ottawa since 2009 and a Community Votes 2026 Platinum winner.

More Than a Card Our goal is for you to leave with stronger resuscitation skills and greater confidence in your ability to lead or contribute to a resuscitation team.

Related Healthcare Provider Courses in Ottawa

ACLS Frequently Asked Questions

Is ACLS the same as BLS? No. BLS covers foundational skills such as high-quality CPR, AED use and team resuscitation. ACLS builds on BLS and addresses the advanced management of adult cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary emergencies. Heart & Stroke BLS is a prerequisite for ACLS.

Can I take ACLS with a BLS card from Red Cross or St. John Ambulance?No. Heart & Stroke requires a current Heart & Stroke BLS Provider card. See the prerequisites section for how to obtain one quickly.

My ACLS card expired. Can I take the ACLS Renewal course? No. Heart & Stroke does not permit expired providers to attend the Renewal course. You will need to take the full ACLS Provider course.

How long does Heart & Stroke ACLS certification last? Two years to the day from the date of issue.

How much does an ACLS course cost in Ottawa? The Heart & Stroke ACLS Provider course is $350 + HST and the one-day ACLS Renewal is $225 + HST at First Aid Plus. Course materials are purchased separately.

How long is the ACLS course? The ACLS Provider course is 14 hours over two days. The ACLS Renewal course is 7 hours in one day. The Blended course is self-paced online plus 10 hours in class.

Can I take ACLS online? The online portion of the Blended course can be completed at your own pace, but the hands-on skills, simulations and testing must be completed in person at our Ottawa training centre.

Are course materials included in the price? No. Heart & Stroke requires every participant to have their own current ACLS Provider Manual and ECC Handbook. Both are available from First Aid Plus or the Heart & Stroke online store.

Is Heart & Stroke ACLS the same as AHA ACLS? Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada delivers the ACLS program in Canada under licence from the American Heart Association, using the same science and algorithms. In Canada, healthcare employers and regulators recognize the Heart & Stroke card.

Can I take ACLS if I am a student? Yes, if your program requires it and you meet the prerequisites. Many nursing, paramedic and medical programs require ACLS for clinical placements. Contact us if you are unsure.

Do you offer ACLS in French? Yes. Contact us for French-language ACLS course availability in the Ottawa–Gatineau region.

Do you offer group or on-site ACLS training? Yes. We deliver ACLS on site for hospitals, clinics, EMS services and healthcare teams across Ontario and Quebec. Contact us for a group quotation.

What if I don't know whether I need Provider or Renewal? Contact us before registering. We will confirm the right course based on your current certification.

Ready to Get ACLS Certified in Ottawa?

Build the advanced resuscitation knowledge and hands-on skills needed to respond to adult cardiovascular emergencies.

https://firstaidplus.ca/products/advanced-cardiac-life-support-acls

Questions about ACLS prerequisites, renewal, course dates or certification requirements? Contact First Aid Plus at info@firstaidplus.ca or 613-726-7587 and our team will be happy to help.