PALS vs ACLS
Pediatric Advanced Life Support 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.
PALS
High DemandPediatric Advanced Life Support · American Heart Association
PALS focuses on recognition and treatment of cardiopulmonary emergencies in infants and children. Required in pediatric ED, PICU, and NICU settings.
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 | PALS | ACLS |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Pediatric Advanced Life Support | Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support |
| Issuing Body | American Heart Association | American Heart Association |
| Category | Emergency & Life Support | Emergency & Life Support |
| Exam Cost | $175 | $175 |
| Validity | 24 months | 24 months |
| CE Credits Required | N/A | N/A |
| Salary Impact | +3.50% | +4.50% |
| Prerequisites | Current BLS certification | Current BLS certification |
| Demand Level | high | high |
Which should I get — PALS or ACLS?
Choose PALS if…
- • You work in Emergency & Life Support settings
- • Your employer requires or prefers PALS
- • You have met the prerequisites: Current BLS certification
- • You want a ~3.5% 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 — PALS vs ACLS
Is PALS or ACLS harder?
Both PALS and ACLS require preparation and hands-on practice. PALS covers emergency & life support scenarios; ACLS covers emergency & life support scenarios. Difficulty depends on your clinical background.
Can I get both PALS 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 — PALS or ACLS?
PALS certification is associated with approximately a 3.5% salary increase; ACLS approximately 4.5%. See the full salary data for your specialty and state.