If you're a healthcare professional in Alberta, keeping your Heart & Stroke BLS (Basic Life Support) certification current is a non-negotiable part of staying compliant with your employer and licensing body. Here's everything you need to know about renewing your BLS certificate before it expires.
How Long Is a BLS Provider Certificate Valid?
A Heart & Stroke Foundation BLS Provider certificate is valid for 1 year from the date of issue. Because it expires annually, it's important to plan your renewal well in advance — many healthcare employers require proof of a current certificate at all times.
Who Needs to Renew BLS?
BLS renewal is required for any healthcare professional whose employer or regulatory college mandates BLS certification, including:
- Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
- Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
- Physicians and residents
- Dental hygienists and dentists
- Respiratory therapists
- Medical laboratory technologists
- Other allied health professionals
BLS Renewal vs. Full BLS Course: What's the Difference?
If your BLS certificate is still valid or recently expired, you may be eligible for the shorter BLS Renewal (blended) course rather than repeating the full BLS Provider course. The renewal format assumes you already have foundational BLS knowledge and focuses on skills practice and updates.
If your certificate has been expired for an extended period, you may need to retake the full BLS Provider course. Check with your instructor or employer if you're unsure which applies to you.
What Does the BLS Renewal Course Cover?
The Heart & Stroke BLS Renewal course reviews and reinforces:
- High-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants
- Two-rescuer CPR and team dynamics
- Bag-valve mask (BVM) ventilation
- AED use in clinical settings
- Recognition and response to cardiac arrest scenarios
How to Renew Your BLS at Swoop911.ca First Aid Education
At Swoop911's South Edmonton training facility, we offer a blended BLS Renewal course — you complete the online theory component first, then attend a focused hands-on in-class session to practice skills and receive your updated Heart & Stroke certificate.
This blended format minimizes time away from work while ensuring you meet the full certification standard.
Tips for Staying Current
- Set a reminder 2–3 months before your certificate expires so you have time to book and complete your renewal.
- Check your employer's policy — some require renewal to be completed before expiry, not after.
- Keep a copy of your certificate accessible (digital and physical) for employer audits or licensing renewals.
Ready to Renew?
- Blended BLS Renewal Course (Heart & Stroke) — for healthcare professionals renewing an existing BLS certificate
- Blended BLS Provider Course — for first-time BLS certification or lapsed certificates
Questions about which option is right for you? Contact the Swoop911 team — we're happy to help you stay certified and compliant.