Continuing Education Credits for BLS, ACLS & PALS in Canada
- Grace. T
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
Continuing Education Credits for BLS, ACLS & PALS in Canada: What Healthcare Professionals Need to Know in 2026
Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits are essential for maintaining professional licensure and clinical competency. In 2026, important updates from Heart & Stroke have clarified how BLS, ACLS, and PALS courses may now qualify for recognized continuing education credits across Canada.
This update is especially relevant for physicians, nurses, paramedics, and other healthcare professionals who rely on accredited emergency training to meet professional requirements.
Medical & Educational Disclaimer
This educational content was developed by experienced emergency medical instructors at Saving Grace Medical Academy for nursing and healthcare education. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not replace institutional policies, regulatory guidance, or professional medical advice.
What Changed in 2026 for CME and CPD Credits?
Accrediting organizations have updated how continuing education credits are recognized, documented, and claimed for resuscitation programs. These changes improve transparency and help healthcare professionals better understand whether — and how — their emergency training can be applied toward professional development requirements.
Updates now affect credit eligibility for:
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Courses Now Eligible for Continuing Education Credits
Under the updated framework, BLS, ACLS, and PALS courses delivered through Heart & Stroke–aligned programs may qualify for continuing education credits depending on the accrediting body and the learner’s professional designation.
Eligibility is determined by how credits are claimed, not simply by course completion alone.
Mainpro+ Credits (CFPC)
Physicians participating in the Mainpro+ program may now apply eligible BLS, ACLS, and PALS courses toward credits through the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
Key points:
Credits are not automatically assigned
A Mainpro+ attestation form is required
The form must be completed by the instructor who delivered the course
A separate form is required for each course
This clarification helps family physicians confidently plan continuing education while maintaining emergency response competence.
FMOQ Credits for Quebec Physicians
BLS, ACLS, and PALS courses are now eligible for continuing education credits through the Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ).
Important considerations:
Instructors must contact FMOQ in advance of delivering the course
Credit approval is coordinated directly with FMOQ
Eligibility applies specifically to Quebec physicians
This advance submission requirement is critical for ensuring credits can be claimed successfully.
Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Credits
Updates also affect select courses eligible for Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credits through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Highlights:
Eligibility has been updated for several resuscitation programs
Credit recognition depends on course type and physician category
Documentation must align with Royal College requirements
Healthcare professionals are encouraged to confirm eligibility before submitting credit claims.
How the New Attestation Forms Work
To support these changes, Heart & Stroke has introduced new standardized attestation forms.
When completing attestation forms:
Forms may only be completed by the course instructor
Forms cannot be altered, copied, or reused
Each course requires its own individual form
Separate forms exist for Mainpro+ and MOC credits
These forms are designed to help learners submit accurate documentation to accrediting bodies.
Why These Changes Matter for Healthcare Professionals
Clear credit eligibility benefits healthcare professionals by:
Reducing confusion during license renewal
Supporting professional compliance
Encouraging participation in high-quality emergency training
Ensuring time spent training contributes to ongoing professional development
Emergency response skills are high-risk and low-frequency — structured continuing education helps prevent skill decay while improving patient outcomes.
Home Treatment and Self-Care (Professional Focus)
For healthcare professionals, self-care includes maintaining clinical readiness. Regular participation in accredited resuscitation training helps:
Reinforce critical decision-making
Maintain confidence during cardiac and respiratory emergencies
Reduce cognitive overload during real-world events
Support long-term professional resilience
How Saving Grace Medical Academy Supports CME and CPD Requests
At Saving Grace Medical Academy, our Heart & Stroke–aligned courses are delivered by experienced instructors who understand continuing education requirements. When requested, instructors may complete the appropriate attestation forms to support learners applying for eligible CME or CPD credits.
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Author - Saving Grace Medical Academy Ltd
Grace. T
Medical Content Writer
