Recent Questions about Our Courses (FAQ)

Our online classes are very simple to work with, and you can most certainly call us or mail us with any questions. This page gives immediate answers for the most recent questions our customer support team received. Newest questions are on top.

Bloodborne pathogens course specific questions

Does the BBP Course cover the following?
  • a) Anatomy
  • b) Skin diseases, disorders, and conditions that may affect the skin
  • c) Infection control procedures including waste disposal, hand washing techniques, sterilization equipment operation and methods, and sanitization /disinfection /sterilization methods and techniques
  • d) Facility safety and sanitization

Yes. The BBP course covers all of the above.

Your BBP course does address waste disposal and handwashing techniques. However, handwashing must be performed specifically with hot running water, and hand sanitizer is not allowed in lieu of handwashing.

Actually hand sanitizer is permitted in lieu of handwashing in many scenarios. Although washing with antibacterial soap under running water (there is no recommendation for temperature) is desireable, it is not the only acceptable way to cleanse hands.

ACLS, BLS, and PALS course questions

RE: ACLS Course study materials. Please define the following: rosc, ecmo, fem-fem, petco, timi, met
  • ROSC: Return of spontaneous circulation
  • ECMO: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (a form of bypass)
  • FEM-FEM: Utilizes the femoral arterial and femoral vein percutaneously to assist with blood flow (partial bypass)
  • PETCO2: Measures the partial C02 pressure in the arteries. (Capnography)
  • TIMI: As flow measurement standard
  • MET: Medical Emergency Team who responds to floor from a critical care unit for patients with deteriorating status prior to arrest
A pdf course summary from the Red Cross recommends a minimum compression fraction of 80% vs 60% as printed on your course. What accounts for the difference? Here is where I found the Red Cross information: https://www.redcross.ca/crc/documents/Canadian-Consensus-Guidelines-document-Feb-2016_EN_Final.pdf

We utilize the American Heart Association guidelines which may in fact differ from the American Red Cross. Their recommendations are 5–6cm or 2–2.4” of compression depth for the adult.

I do not see a study material section about the EKG rhythms that the AHA requires: the specific recognition, the discerning characteristics, etc. I did notice perfunctory mentions of rhythms with an occasional EKG strip but no real study guide to the rhythm material. This was an important part of the ACLS AHA program and test. Am I missing something?

The interpretation of rhythms and their recognition are considered a prerequisite requirement for attendance in American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support courses and are not taught during the renewal or provider courses. We do have a separate monitor technician program that teaches these skills, but they are not included in the ACLS course as we model our course after the standardized requirements.

In Canada, what level is your CPR (“BLS”) course?

We are CPR-C level also known as “Healthcare Provider” level. This is the course for healthcare provider cardiopulmonary resuscitation training.

My current certification has expired. Can I use these courses to become recertified?

Please choose “certification” if you have never taken this course (whether with us or anyone else) or if your last training was more than five years ago today. You do not need to provide a copy of your certificate to us. Options are available on our sign up page.

Examination

I took the exam but it was scored wrong!

Please email us your EXAM SCORING REPORT and we will be happy to investigate.

What happens if I fail the exam?

You will receive 3 attempts for each course. After each attempt, you will receive an exam scoring report showing any incorrect answers. If you fail 3 times, you will need to retake the course.

Timing and deadlines

How long does the course last?

Our courses expire after one year. If you need to access your course after one year, please email us at and we can extend it for you.

How long does the certification last

The certification period lasts for 2 years.

How long does the exam take?

You may spend up to 8 hours in the exam. Yes, you can see patients between questions. But you MUST leave the browser window open during testing, there is no partial save.

What is the passing mark?

A score of 84% or more is passing and you get 3 attempts for each exam.

How long does it take to receive my certificate?

As soon as you finish and pass the exam you will be able to immediately download a PDF version of the provider eCard. Upon your request, we will ship your physical certificate within one business day. Depending on where you live, it should arrive in 3–4 days. International shipping takes longer. We also have rush shipment options for an additional cost.

Referral credits

How do I get the referral credit?

We really appreciate it when you refer a new customer to us. We are happy to pay a referral credit to our customers that refer new customers. Corporate accounts and other promotions are excluded. Just email us at after they have purchased the course and provide their name, email, and order number.

Continuing education credits / CME / CEU

What is your provider number?

It is 0004600. This is the same number used for all systems in every US State and Canadian Province (yes, including California).

Refunds

Do you have a refund policy?

Yes, we have a refund policy. All physical products carry a 14-day return policy. All of our courses come with a 60 days money-back guarantee. This guarantee is good for 60 days from the date that you purchased the course. For more details or to claim a refund, click here.

What happens if my certification is not accepted?

We offer a 100% refund within the first 60 days for all of our classes. All you need to do is contact us and let us know that you want a refund.

Is there a practical skills test required to receive my certification?

There is no in-person practical skills test required to receive your ACLS, PALS or BLS certification or recertification. A skills check off sheet is included with your course which is optional in case specifically requested by your employer.

What happens after I pass the test?

Once you pass the test, you will first receive a notification that you passed and we will show you which questions that you missed. You will also be able to download an instant PDF version of your certification. Finally, if requested we will mail you a physical copy of your certificate.

What are the shipping costs?

At ACLS Training Center, standard shipping for your physical certificate is free within North America and internationally.

General questions

Where can the ACLS algorithms be found in your ACLS course?

ACLS algorithms page.

I am a respiratory manager. I am having some conflicts with the nursing manager. I did read for BLS, that medical people can give a breath every 6 seconds, and no need to stop CPR. The nursing manager states that ACLS requires 30:2. So she does not want us to give a breath until 30 compressions are done. We have always given a breath every 6 seconds and not stopped CPR. Could you please let me know for the hospital how this should be done?

Both are correct. Patients WITHOUT intubation (definitely airway) are ventilated at a compression to ventilation ratio of 30:2. Once the patient has a definitive airway, ventilation is continuous for 2 minutes with respirations of 1 breath every 6 seconds. Before intubation, a pause is necessary to permit lung expansion. Every 2 minutes you do a pulse check and switch rescuers doing compressions.

Should compressions rescue start before rescue breaths? Is PETCO2 the same as carbon monoxide? In a code, should I be ventilating once every 6 seconds or twice after 30 compressions?

If no pulse and no respirations are present, start CPR with a compression to ventilation ratio of 30:2 if no definitive airway is in place. If the patient has a definitive airway, perform continuous compression with 1 breath every 6 seconds. During a code, the use of Quantitative waveform capnography (PETCO2) is used to monitor CPR quality and to indicate ROSC. This is exhaled CO2.

100–120 per minute refers to the speed at which they are done NOT the number of compressions in a 60-second period. To test students, perform 30 compressions and 2 ventilations in an 18-second time frame.