Can I Still Renew My BLS If It’s Already Expired?

Can I Still Renew My BLS If It’s Already Expired?

It happens to a lot of busy healthcare professionals: life gets hectic, and you suddenly realize your BLS card expired last month — or longer ago. The good news is that an expired card usually isn’t the disaster it feels like. Here’s what you actually need to know.

Is there a grace period for BLS renewal?

For years, many people believed there was a built-in grace period after a BLS card’s expiration date. The American Heart Association no longer treats a lapsed card as still valid past its expiration — once the date passes, the certification is considered expired. That means you shouldn’t count on a grace window to keep working in a role that requires current BLS.

The practical takeaway: don’t wait. If your card has expired or is about to, renew as soon as you can.

Can I just take a renewal course if my card already expired?

In most cases, yes. A recertification (renewal) course is designed for people who already hold or recently held BLS certification and need to refresh and re-test. Even if your card has lapsed, you can typically still take a renewal course rather than starting over from scratch.

If it’s been a very long time since you were last certified, an instructor may recommend a full course instead of a renewal — but for most recently-lapsed providers, a renewal is all you need.

Will my employer know my card lapsed?

What matters to your employer is that you hold a current, valid card now. Renewing promptly gets you back in good standing. If you’re between cards and your role requires active certification, talk to your supervisor about your timeline — and get recertified quickly to close the gap.

How to renew fast if your BLS expired

If your employer accepts ASHI BLS (most do), the fastest path is an online recertification you can finish the same day:

• Online ASHI BLS recertification — $39, completed in about 39 minutes, same-day card.
• In-person AHA BLS — available for groups of six or more, if your employer requires an AHA card specifically.

At AZ ACLS, we’ve helped Arizona’s medical professionals stay certified since 2010, and our instruction comes from working emergency professionals — including a founder who’s been an Arizona firefighter since 2001.

Expired or about to? Don’t wait for a grace period that no longer exists — renew your BLS today and get your same-day card.

Want to never be caught off guard again? Ask us about our free expiration reminder — we’ll email you 30 days before your card is due.