What the Course Entails and Exam Details

The ACI healthcare curriculum is built upon the most current Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) guidelines, as published by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR).

Key topics and skills covered across the different certification pathways include:

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support): Recognition and early management of peri-arrest conditions, cardiac arrest management, airway management, related pharmacology, and leading resuscitation teams.
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support): A systematic approach to pediatric assessment, management of pediatric respiratory and shock emergencies, and cardiac arrest management in children and infants.
• BLS (Basic Life Support): High-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants, use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and relieving choking (foreign-body airway obstruction).
• First Aid & CPR: Essential first aid skills, medical emergency response, and adult CPR and AED use.

The exam details are uniform for all certifications offered by ACI:

• Format: 100% online, multiple-choice questions.
• Passing Score: A minimum score of 80% is required to pass.
• Question Count: Varies by certification (ACLS/PALS: 50; BLS: 40; First Aid & CPR: 25).
• Time Limit: There is NO time limit. You are encouraged to take as much time as you need to learn the material.
• Retakes: ACI offers unlimited, free exam retakes.

What to Expect in the Final Exam

When you are ready to take the final ACI exam, you will find it hosted entirely within the ACI online portal. Unlike traditional high-stakes proctored exams, ACI utilizes a unique testing format specifically designed to optimize learning and retention. While the multiple-choice questions require a thorough understanding of the material, the untimed structure allows you to reference your study guide and take your time. This method is designed for you to demonstrate mastery, not to manage time pressure. Upon successful completion with a score of 80% or higher, your results are generated immediately. You will receive an instant, downloadable, and printable digital provider card, valid for two years. Your official hard copy card will follow in the mail.

How to Study and Exam Centers

Preparation is seamless with ACI's integrated approach.

Actionable Study Strategies:

Utilize ACI’s Free Study Guide: All ACI courses include a comprehensive, online study guide at no additional cost. It is designed by Board Certified Critical Care physicians and utilizes graphs, charts, and diagrams to promote visual learning and retention.

Take Advantage of Knowledge Checks and Practice Exams: Woven into the ACI learning ecosystem are built-in knowledge checks and role-aligned practice exams. These simulate real-world conditions to help you gauge your readiness and identify areas that need review.

Complete Skill Labs: Where applicable, use the virtual Skill Labs to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, which boosts retention to up to 90%.

Exam Center Information:

The ACI exam process is designed for maximum convenience and accessibility. There are NO physical testing centers required. The entire process—from registration and studying to the final examination and certification—is conducted 100% online. You can access the exam through the ACI online portal from any device with an internet connection, allowing you to certify on your own schedule, from any location.

 Job Opportunities from the Course

Obtaining your ACI certifications is a critical career step, as they are mandatory for almost all patient-facing roles in healthcare. This certification unlocks, and is required for, the following job titles and career paths:

• Doctor (including Specialties: Emergency Medicine, Cardiology, Anesthesiology, Critical Care, Pediatrics, Surgery, Family Medicine)
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Nurse Practitioner (NP)
• Physician Assistant (PA)
• Paramedic
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Respiratory Therapist (RT)
• Dentist
• Physical Therapist
• Occupational Therapist
• Healthcare Facility Administrator (required for compliance monitoring)
• Critical Care/ICU/ED Supporting Staff
• School Nurse and University Health Services Staff
• Industrial/Corporate First Responder