Perioperative Resuscitation and Life Support Certificate (PeRLS) FAQs

Anesthesia-Centric Advanced Life Support, Resuscitation, and Crisis Management

How does PeRLS differ from advanced cardiac life support (ACLS)?

PeRLS presents relevant information to peri-procedural providers about causes of arrest and ways to treat them that are specific to the peri-procedural period. This information takes into account knowledge of the patient, advanced airway management, availability of resources, and specific physiology.

Why PeRLS over other ACLS training programs?

• Highly relevant ACLS training for anesthesiologists and the perioperative care team.
• Education focused on keeping patients safe and preventing a cardiac crisis.
• Completion of the curriculum earns a certificate that some hospital credentialing/privileging bodies could choose to use as evidence of proficiency in ACLS.

What are the benefits of the PeRLS Certificate program?

• Training on rescue, unique presentations, and special situations.
• The web-based curriculum allows you to learn at your own pace.
• Culminates in a Certificate of Completion that could help you demonstrate competence in ACLS to hospital credentialing/privileging committees.
• Earn a digital PeRLS Certificate and badge that validates your competency in ACLS in the perioperative setting and share them on your LinkedIn profile or other platforms.

What does the course curriculum include?

The course contains 5 modules covering the curriculum outlined below:

Module 1: Pre-arrest: The Rescue Concept

Module 2: Pre-cardiac Arrest in the OR

Module 3: Arrhythmias

Module 4: Conditions Complicating Arrest in the OR/Periprocedural Setting

Module 5: Special Situations

1. Anaphylaxis
2. Gas Embolism
3. Hyperkalemia
4. Transfusion Reaction
5. Traumatic Cardiac Arrest
6. Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity
7. Neuraxial Anesthesia
8. Malignant Hyperthermia

Does PeRLS include BLS training?

PeRLS does not include BLS training. Learners are strongly encouraged to obtain BLS training prior to participating in PeRLS.

What is required to complete the program and earn the Certificate of Completion and PeRLS card?

There are two pathways available for completing the PeRLS Certificate of Completion program.

Learners who score 80% or higher on the pre-test are automatically enrolled in the PeRLS accelerated pathway, starting with Module 1, which contains five lessons and a final exam requiring a passing score of 80%.

Learners who score less than 80% on the pre-test are assigned to the Basic & Advanced Life Support module and must score 80% or higher before progressing to PeRLS Module 1.

Learners are required to attest to having BLS training to receive the PeRLS Certificate and PeRLS digital card. 

Will I receive reminders on my progress and status in the program?

Yes, you will receive periodic email reminders and online announcements to ensure you proceed through the program and complete it on time. A progress bar is visible throughout the online course to help you track your status within each part of the program.

How often is PeRLS released?

PeRLS will be released every two years.

What credits are offered?

The American Society of Anesthesiologists designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 5.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. This activity contributes to the patient safety CME requirement for the CME component of the American Board of Anesthesiology’s (ABA) redesigned Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology® (MOCA®) program, known as MOCA 2.0®. 

Does the Certificate of Completion expire?

The Certificate of Completion expires two years from the day of completion. 

Once I obtain this certificate, will I immediately be ACLS certified at my institution?

This certificate does NOT automatically grant privileges or credentialing at your hospital. Each hospital/institution must determine locally which credentials they will require to grant clinical privileges in ACLS.

What are the differences between credentials, credentialing, and privileging?

• Credentials: documents that demonstrate either proficiency or completion of a curriculum in something; credentials can be issued by local or national organizations (e.g., board certifications, certificates of completion).
• Credentialing: verification of qualifications to do something (occurs at the local/hospital level).
• Privileging: granting of rights by hospitals to providers to deliver certain kinds of care (granted at the local/hospital level).

How can I help promote the adoption of ASA’s PeRLS Certificate of Completion as my institution's preferred ACLS training requirement?

Download PeRLS Talking Points covering the benefits of focused and relevant ACLS training for busy perioperative clinicians (PDF).

Does PeRLS meet the requirements for resuscitation education approved by hospital accrediting organizations?

Yes, PeRLS is designed to meet the resuscitation education required by accrediting organizations (e.g., The Joint Commission).

Who developed the program?

This program was developed by the ASA Editorial Board for Perioperative Life Support (PeRLS), members of the Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists (SOCCA), and the ASA Critical Care Committee. The 20-member board includes leading experts in critical care medicine and medical education at renowned U.S., European, Israeli, and Canadian academic institutions.

How much does it cost to participate?

Participation in this educational activity is $158 for ASA members and $194 for non-ASA members.

Is there technical support?

Yes. Please email your questions or issues to [email protected].

Is there clinical question support?

You can provide comments on a question-level basis for faculty review and feedback. For additional clinical conversation, consider posting on the course discussion board or the members-only online forum: ASA Community.