Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about our ACLS, BLS, and PALS classes, preparing for class, AHA course-completion cards, continuing education, and study resources.
If you do not find the answer you need, please contact Nurse Michele. Email, text, and voicemail are the fastest ways to reach us.
Classes & Enrollment
Who are your classes for?
Our classes are designed for healthcare professionals and healthcare students who need or want training in BLS, ACLS, or PALS.
BLS is appropriate for healthcare professionals, trained first responders, and students preparing for healthcare careers.
ACLS is intended for healthcare professionals who direct or participate in the management of cardiac arrest, stroke, and other cardiopulmonary emergencies.
PALS is intended for healthcare professionals who respond to emergencies involving infants and children.
If you are unsure which course you need, check with your school, employer, credentialing office, or contact us before registering.
Where are your classes held?
Most individual classes are held at our home on Long Island, New York.
We also provide on-site classes for hospitals, medical and dental offices, surgicenters, and other healthcare organizations in Nassau County, Suffolk County, and parts of Queens.
We no longer travel to Brooklyn, Manhattan, or Westchester.
Will you come to our office or hospital to teach ACLS, BLS, or PALS?
Yes.
If your organization is within our service area, contact us with the classes you need, the approximate number of participants, and your location.
We will discuss scheduling and whether an on-site class is practical for your group.
How do I register for a class?
Contact us with:
- Your full name
- Your cell number
- The class you need
Classes often fill several months in advance, so contacting us early is helpful.
Email: MKunz@MicheleKunz.com
Cell/Text: 516-578-5878
What should I wear to class?
Wear comfortable clothing because AHA courses include hands-on practice.
Scrubs are perfectly fine.
Closed-toe shoes are recommended.
What happens if I need to reschedule?
Please contact us as soon as you know you cannot attend.
Many classes have waiting lists, and early notice gives us a better opportunity to move you to another available date.
What happens if I do not successfully complete part of the course?
Our goal is for you to learn the material and become comfortable with it—not to make the experience unnecessarily stressful.
If you do not successfully complete part of the course, you can return and repeat the class on another date, retake the entire course, and retake the exam for no additional charge.
Choosing & Preparing for Your Course
When should I take BLS, ACLS, or PALS?
Take the course that is appropriate for your training, clinical responsibilities, or employer requirements.
BLS is commonly required for healthcare students and professionals who provide patient care.
ACLS is generally appropriate for healthcare professionals involved in the management of adult cardiac arrest and other cardiopulmonary emergencies.
PALS is designed for healthcare professionals who may respond to serious pediatric emergencies.
Your school, employer, credentialing department, or facility ultimately determines which credentials it requires for your particular position.
Do I need a current BLS card before taking ACLS?
The American Heart Association does not require students to hold a current BLS Provider course-completion card before taking ACLS. However, students entering ACLS are expected to be proficient in high-quality BLS skills.
Your employer, school, facility, or Training Center may have additional requirements.
What should I study before taking ACLS?
Do not wait until the day of class to discover that rhythm recognition or pharmacology is unfamiliar.
Before ACLS, you should be comfortable with:
- high-quality BLS;
- basic ECG/EKG rhythm recognition;
- ACLS pharmacology;
- bag-mask ventilation;
- basic ACLS algorithms;
- clinical decision-making.
For the current AHA ACLS course, complete all required AHA precourse work. The current ACLS Precourse Self-Assessment requires a score of at least 70%.
Use the current official AHA ACLS Provider Manual and complete whatever precourse preparation is required for the course in which you are enrolled.
If ECG/EKG interpretation is difficult, spend additional time reviewing rhythms before class.
You are also welcome to contact Michele if there is a concept you do not understand.
Do I need to complete anything online before class?
Some current AHA courses include required precourse work or a precourse assessment.
For ACLS, complete the required AHA precourse work and Precourse Self-Assessment before attending class.
For PALS and other courses, follow the current instructions for the specific course.
The AHA offers different course formats, including instructor-led classes and blended-learning options such as HeartCode. Requirements are not identical for every BLS, ACLS, or PALS student, so Michele will tell you exactly what you need for the particular class you are registered for.
Do physicians need ACLS, BLS, or PALS?
That depends on the physician's clinical responsibilities, employer, hospital or facility privileges, specialty, and credentialing requirements.
ACLS is designed for healthcare professionals who direct or participate in the management of cardiac arrest and other cardiopulmonary emergencies, while PALS is intended for professionals responding to pediatric emergencies.
Requirements involving hospital privileges, procedural sedation, or a particular position should be confirmed directly with the employer, medical staff office, credentialing department, or facility.
AHA Cards & Guidelines
How long is my AHA ACLS, BLS, or PALS card valid?
AHA course-completion cards are valid for two years through the end of the month in which the card was issued.
For example, a card issued during February 2026 is valid through the end of February 2028.
Your employer may have its own policy regarding when employees must complete renewal training, so it is wise not to wait until the last minute.
How soon will I receive my AHA card?
All cards are now AHA eCards and are emailed directly to you.
When you attend our classes, the eCards are issued at the end of the class. We assist you in finding and downloading the cards before you leave the class.
I lost my AHA card. Can I get another one?
AHA course-completion cards are now commonly issued electronically.
If you cannot locate your eCard, use the American Heart Association's official online eCard lookup/verification system or contact the Training Center that issued your card.
Where can I find the current AHA guidelines?
The current full set is the 2025 American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.
The AHA may also publish focused updates when important new evidence warrants changes between full guideline revisions.
For the most current information, use the AHA's official CPR & ECC Guidelines website.
Continuing Education & CME
Do your ACLS, BLS, or PALS classes provide CME or nursing contact hours?
Our training company does not separately award CME, CE, or nursing contact hours simply for attending one of our classes.
An AHA course-completion card and continuing-education credit are not the same thing.
Some AHA course options may have CE/CME available for certain professions. Eligibility depends on the particular course, course format, and professional discipline.
If continuing-education credit is important to you, verify the current requirements with the American Heart Association and your licensing, credentialing, or professional organization before relying on the course for credit.
Can I count my class hours toward continuing-education requirements?
Possibly, but do not assume that classroom hours automatically qualify for continuing-education credit.
Licensing boards, professional organizations, employers, and credentialing bodies establish their own rules.
Ask the organization to which you intend to report the hours whether your specific AHA course or documentation satisfies its requirements.
Books & Study Resources
Do Michele's books replace the official AHA Provider Manuals?
No.
Our ACLS, BLS, and PALS Q&A books, workbooks, Zombie Notes Study Charts®, and other learning resources are independent supplemental study materials.
They are designed to help you understand, practice, review, and reinforce important material.
They do not replace the current official AHA Provider Manual, required AHA course materials, required precourse work, or course instruction.
Our publications are independently written and published and are not endorsed by or affiliated with the American Heart Association.
Which study resource should I start with?
Start with what you are trying to accomplish.
If you are preparing for ACLS, BLS, or PALS, our certification Q&A books and workbooks provide more comprehensive practice and explanation.
If you want concentrated review and reinforcement, Zombie Notes Study Charts® provide focused quick-reference learning tools.
If you are studying broader nursing and medical subjects, our Books page organizes resources by subject and learning goal.
Still Have a Question?
If your question is not answered here, please contact us. Email, text, and voicemail are the fastest ways to reach Michele.
Please include your full name, cell number, and the class or question you are contacting us about.
Email: MKunz@MicheleKunz.com
Cell/Text: 516-578-5878