PALS vs BLS
Pediatric Advanced Life Support vs Basic 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.
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.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | PALS | BLS |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Pediatric Advanced Life Support | Basic Life Support |
| Issuing Body | American Heart Association | American Heart Association |
| Category | Emergency & Life Support | Emergency & Life Support |
| Exam Cost | $175 | $85 |
| Validity | 24 months | 24 months |
| CE Credits Required | N/A | N/A |
| Salary Impact | +3.50% | +1.50% |
| Prerequisites | Current BLS certification | None — open to all healthcare providers |
| Demand Level | high | high |
Which should I get — PALS or BLS?
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 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
FAQ — PALS vs BLS
Is PALS or BLS harder?
Both PALS and BLS require preparation and hands-on practice. PALS covers emergency & life support scenarios; BLS covers emergency & life support scenarios. Difficulty depends on your clinical background.
Can I get both PALS and BLS?
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 BLS?
PALS certification is associated with approximately a 3.5% salary increase; BLS approximately 1.5%. See the full salary data for your specialty and state.