BLS vs CCRN
Basic 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.
BLS
High DemandBasic Life Support · American Heart Association
BLS certification covers CPR for adults, children, and infants, AED use, and relief of foreign-body airway obstruction. Required for most clinical healthcare roles.
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 | BLS | CCRN |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Basic 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 | $85 | $275 |
| Validity | 24 months | 36 months |
| CE Credits Required | N/A | 100 |
| Salary Impact | +1.50% | +12.00% |
| Prerequisites | None — open to all healthcare providers | 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 — BLS or CCRN?
Choose BLS if…
- • You work in Emergency & Life Support settings
- • Your employer requires or prefers BLS
- • You have met the prerequisites: None — open to all healthcare providers
- • You want a ~1.5% 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 — BLS vs CCRN
Is BLS or CCRN harder?
Both BLS and CCRN require preparation and hands-on practice. BLS covers emergency & life support scenarios; CCRN covers critical care scenarios. Difficulty depends on your clinical background.
Can I get both BLS 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 — BLS or CCRN?
BLS certification is associated with approximately a 1.5% salary increase; CCRN approximately 12%. See the full salary data for your specialty and state.