CCRN vs ACLS
Critical Care Registered Nurse vs Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support — a side-by-side comparison of exam costs, prerequisites, salary impact, CE requirements, and which certification is best for your career path.
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.
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.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | CCRN | ACLS |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Critical Care Registered Nurse | Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support |
| Issuing Body | American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) | American Heart Association |
| Category | Critical Care | Emergency & Life Support |
| Exam Cost | $275 | $175 |
| Validity | 36 months | 24 months |
| CE Credits Required | 100 | N/A |
| Salary Impact | +12.00% | +4.50% |
| 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 | Current BLS certification |
| Demand Level | high | high |
Which should I get — CCRN or ACLS?
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
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
FAQ — CCRN vs ACLS
Is CCRN or ACLS harder?
Both CCRN and ACLS require preparation and hands-on practice. CCRN covers critical care scenarios; ACLS covers emergency & life support scenarios. Difficulty depends on your clinical background.
Can I get both CCRN and ACLS?
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 — CCRN or ACLS?
CCRN certification is associated with approximately a 12% salary increase; ACLS approximately 4.5%. See the full salary data for your specialty and state.