If you’re searching for PALS certification near me, the first step is to confirm that your employer, hospital, school, clinical program or other organization requires American Heart Association PALS. Once you know PALS is the appropriate certification, you can choose the right course format, find a convenient training location and complete the required online and hands-on components.
Citywide CPR is an American Heart Association Training Center offering PALS certification and renewal options, including Online + Skills and Skills Only pathways. Citywide CPR locations use Self-Guided Skills Sessions at CPR Verification Station™ learning centers for applicable hands-on skills training.
How Do I Find an AHA PALS Course Near Me?
Finding a PALS course nearby is more than choosing the closest training location. Before registering, make sure the course matches the certification your organization requires.
A simple process is:
- Confirm that AHA PALS is required. Check with your employer, hospital, school, clinical program or other organization.
- Determine whether you need initial certification or renewal.
- Choose the appropriate course format. Decide whether you need PALS Online + Skills or PALS Skills Only.
- Find a convenient Citywide CPR location. Citywide CPR offers PALS certification and renewal at locations in multiple cities and states.
- Complete the applicable online learning.
- Attend your scheduled Self-Guided Skills Session.
- Successfully complete the applicable course requirements and skills session.
- Receive your official AHA PALS Provider eCard.
The right course is the one that satisfies the specific certification requirement you have been given—not simply the one that happens to be closest.
Who Typically Needs PALS Certification?
PALS, or Pediatric Advanced Life Support, is intended for healthcare professionals whose roles may involve responding to pediatric emergencies.
Whether you personally need PALS depends on your role and the requirements of your employer, hospital, school, clinical program or other organization. Not every healthcare professional needs PALS.
If you are unsure whether you need PALS, confirm the exact certification requirement before registering. This can prevent you from completing a course that does not match the credential your organization is asking you to provide.
What Is the Difference Between PALS Certification and PALS Renewal?
If you are completing PALS for the first time, you may need the full PALS Online + Skills pathway.
If you already hold PALS and need to maintain your certification, you may be searching for PALS renewal near me. Your appropriate course format will depend on your current situation and whether you have already completed the applicable HeartCode PALS online course.
Before registering for renewal, check:
- Your current PALS certification status
- Your expiration date
- Whether your employer or organization specifies AHA PALS
- Whether you have already completed the applicable HeartCode PALS online course
If you have already completed the required online course, Skills Only may be the appropriate option. If you still need the online learning component, Online + Skills may be the better fit.
What Is PALS Online + Skills?
PALS Online + Skills combines the applicable AHA HeartCode PALS online learning with a required hands-on skills session.
Citywide CPR’s PALS certification pathway allows participants who need the complete course to complete the HeartCode online portion at their own pace and then schedule their hands-on skills session.
The process generally looks like this:
- Complete the applicable HeartCode PALS online course.
- Schedule your PALS skills session.
- Arrive at your Citywide CPR training location.
- Complete the Self-Guided Skills Session.
- Practice and perform the required skills.
- Successfully complete the applicable course requirements and skills session.
- Receive your official AHA PALS Provider eCard.
This format can be useful for healthcare professionals and students who need to work certification around employment, school, clinical or other responsibilities.
What Is PALS Skills Only?
PALS Skills Only is designed for learners who have already completed the required AHA HeartCode PALS online course and need the hands-on skills component.
If you select Skills Only, you should have the applicable HeartCode PALS completion certificate available for registration and skills-session verification.
Having an existing PALS card is not the same as having completed the applicable current HeartCode PALS online course. If you have only an existing or expired PALS certification and have not completed the required online course for the Skills Only pathway, make sure you select the course option that matches your situation.
What Happens During a Self-Guided PALS Skills Session?
A Citywide CPR Self-Guided Skills Session takes place at a CPR Verification Station™ learning center using training equipment and technology designed to guide the participant through the hands-on experience.
The participant follows the system’s instructions and performs the applicable skills using the training equipment. The system provides real-time audio and visual feedback during the skills experience.
Depending on the applicable skill, feedback can help the participant understand aspects of CPR performance such as compression rate, compression depth, chest recoil and ventilation performance.
The Self-Guided format is different from a traditional instructor-led classroom because an instructor does not need to physically stand beside the participant throughout the session. Instead, the participant follows the system’s guidance and feedback, while Citywide CPR support is available if assistance with the session or equipment is needed.
Citywide CPR’s Self-Guided CPR Training resource provides additional information about how this training format works.
What Hands-On Skills Are Required for PALS?
PALS includes hands-on skills as part of the applicable certification pathway. The specific skills and scenarios depend on the current AHA PALS course requirements.
During the Self-Guided Skills Session, participants use the training equipment to practice and perform skills while following the system’s instructions and feedback.
The purpose of the hands-on portion is to demonstrate the required skills—not simply to watch a demonstration or complete an online lesson.
Before your appointment, it can be helpful to review Citywide CPR’s Skills Demonstration Video Library to become familiar with the types of skills performed during AHA certification sessions.
How Does a CPR Verification Station™ Learning Center Work?
A CPR Verification Station™ learning center is the training environment used for applicable Citywide CPR Self-Guided Skills Sessions.
Rather than completing the entire certification online, participants physically complete the required hands-on skills using training equipment. The system guides the participant and provides real-time feedback during the experience.
The basic flow is:
Complete applicable online learning → Attend your Self-Guided Skills Session → Practice and perform skills → Successfully complete the requirements → Receive your AHA eCard
This approach gives participants a structured hands-on experience without requiring a traditional classroom instructor to stand beside them throughout the entire session.
What Should I Check Before Registering for PALS?
Before searching for PALS classes near me, take a few minutes to confirm exactly what you need.
Does My Employer or School Require AHA PALS?
If your employer, hospital, nursing program, clinical site or other organization specifically requests American Heart Association PALS, verify that requirement before registering.
Do I Need Initial PALS Certification or Renewal?
Check your current certification status and expiration date. If you are already certified, ask whether your organization wants a PALS renewal and which course pathway it accepts.
Do I Need Online + Skills or Skills Only?
Choose Online + Skills if you need the applicable online learning and hands-on skills components.
Choose Skills Only if you have already completed the required AHA HeartCode PALS online course and have the applicable completion documentation.
Where Is the Nearest Available Location?
Once you know the correct course, use the Citywide CPR location finder to find a convenient training location and review available appointment options. Citywide CPR maintains locations in multiple cities and states.
How Do I Find PALS Certification Near Me With Citywide CPR?
Citywide CPR provides AHA PALS certification and renewal options through locations in multiple cities and states. The location directory allows participants to select a location and review the certification options available there.
When looking for AHA PALS certification near me, start with the certification requirement and then choose the location that fits your schedule.
You can review the PALS certification and renewal options to compare Skills Only and Online + Skills pathways before scheduling.
For additional preparation, Citywide CPR also provides a PALS Study Guide and skills demonstration resources.
When Will I Receive My AHA PALS eCard?
After successfully completing your applicable course requirements and hands-on skills session, your official American Heart Association PALS Provider eCard is processed the same day according to applicable processing procedures.
Citywide CPR’s PALS certification information states that participants receive their official AHA PALS Provider eCard after successfully completing the skills session.
If you need proof of certification for an employer, school, clinical program or other organization, make sure you complete every required component of your selected pathway.
Need PALS Certification or Renewal for Your Healthcare Staff?
Sometimes a search for PALS certification near me comes from a healthcare organization coordinating certification for several employees.
A hospital, healthcare organization or clinical team may have employees with different certification needs. One employee may need BLS, another may need ACLS, and another may require PALS based on their role and organizational requirements.
Citywide CPR can help healthcare organizations coordinate applicable BLS, ACLS and PALS certification and renewal for staff.
Depending on the organization’s needs, employees may complete Self-Guided Skills Sessions at CPR Verification Station™ learning centers. Organizations can also explore appropriate onsite or portable skills-verification options when coordinating training for their teams.
For organizations coordinating multiple healthcare certifications, see BLS, ACLS & PALS training for healthcare staff.
How Can I Prepare for My PALS Skills Session?
Before your appointment, make sure you know which course pathway you selected.
If you chose Online + Skills:
- Complete the applicable HeartCode PALS online course.
- Keep your course completion information available.
- Confirm your scheduled skills appointment.
- Review the applicable PALS concepts and skills.
If you chose Skills Only:
- Confirm that you completed the required HeartCode PALS online course.
- Have your completion certificate available.
- Confirm your scheduled Self-Guided Skills Session.
You can also review the Skills Demonstration Video Library before your appointment to become familiar with the hands-on environment.
Frequently Asked Questions About PALS Certification Near Me
How do I find an AHA PALS certification course near me?
First confirm that your employer, hospital, school or clinical program requires AHA PALS. Then choose the appropriate Online + Skills or Skills Only pathway and use the Citywide CPR location finder to find a convenient location and available appointment.
Can I renew PALS through a Self-Guided Skills Session?
A Self-Guided Skills Session can be part of an applicable PALS certification or renewal pathway. Whether you need Online + Skills or Skills Only depends on whether you need the applicable HeartCode PALS online course or have already completed it.
Do I need to complete HeartCode PALS before my skills session?
If you select Online + Skills, you complete the applicable HeartCode PALS online learning before the hands-on skills session. If you select Skills Only, you must already have completed the required HeartCode PALS online course and provide the applicable completion documentation.
Is PALS Skills Only the same as having a PALS eCard?
No. A PALS eCard is certification documentation, while the HeartCode PALS completion certificate documents completion of the online portion required for a Skills Only pathway. If you select Skills Only, make sure you have completed the applicable HeartCode PALS online course.
Does an instructor have to stand beside me during a Self-Guided PALS Skills Session?
No. The Self-Guided format uses training technology that provides audio and visual guidance and real-time feedback during the skills experience. Citywide CPR support is available if assistance with the equipment or session is needed.
Will I receive my official AHA PALS eCard after completing my course?
After successfully completing the applicable course requirements and hands-on skills session, your official American Heart Association PALS Provider eCard is processed the same day according to applicable processing procedures.
What if my employer requires a specific PALS course?
Confirm the exact requirement with your employer, hospital, school or clinical program before registering. If they specifically require American Heart Association PALS, verify that the course you select is the applicable AHA PALS pathway.