ACLS vs CCRN
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support vs Critical Care Registered Nurse — a side-by-side comparison of exam costs, prerequisites, salary impact, CE requirements, and which certification is best for your career path.
ACLS
High DemandAdvanced Cardiovascular Life Support · American Heart Association
ACLS builds on BLS with advanced airway management, pharmacology, and systematic approach to cardiac arrest and other cardiopulmonary emergencies. Required in ICU, ED, and PACU.
CCRN
High DemandCritical Care Registered Nurse · American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
CCRN is the gold standard for critical care nursing, recognizing expertise in caring for acutely and critically ill patients. Consistently linked to higher salaries and career advancement.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | ACLS | CCRN |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support | Critical Care Registered Nurse |
| Issuing Body | American Heart Association | American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) |
| Category | Emergency & Life Support | Critical Care |
| Exam Cost | $175 | $275 |
| Validity | 24 months | 36 months |
| CE Credits Required | N/A | 100 |
| Salary Impact | +4.50% | +12.00% |
| Prerequisites | Current BLS certification | Current RN license; 1,750 hours of direct care of acutely/critically ill patients in the past 2 years, 875 of which within the past year preceding application |
| Demand Level | high | high |
Which should I get — ACLS or CCRN?
Choose ACLS if…
- • You work in Emergency & Life Support settings
- • Your employer requires or prefers ACLS
- • You have met the prerequisites: Current BLS certification
- • You want a ~4.5% salary boost
Choose CCRN if…
- • You work in Critical Care settings
- • Your employer requires or prefers CCRN
- • You have met the prerequisites: Current RN license; 1,750 hours of direct care of acutely/critically ill patients in the past 2 years, 875 of which within the past year preceding application
- • You want a ~12% salary boost
FAQ — ACLS vs CCRN
Is ACLS or CCRN harder?
Both ACLS and CCRN require preparation and hands-on practice. ACLS covers emergency & life support scenarios; CCRN covers critical care scenarios. Difficulty depends on your clinical background.
Can I get both ACLS and CCRN?
Yes. Many healthcare professionals hold both certifications, especially in settings that overlap (e.g., ICU nurses often have both CCRN and ACLS). Each is independently issued and maintained.
Which pays more — ACLS or CCRN?
ACLS certification is associated with approximately a 4.5% salary increase; CCRN approximately 12%. See the full salary data for your specialty and state.