ACLS and BCLS are integral credentials for medical professionals to have. ACLS is short for Advanced Cardiac Life Support, while BCLS is short for Basic Cardiac Life Support. BCLS is also known as BLS, Basic Life Support. It is recommended that doctors are well-versed and certified in both. These certifications prepare trainees for a wide range of heart conditions and complications that are likely to occur in a medical setting. These skills are applicable for resuscitation and cardiac support in hospitals and in the field. BCLS is not limited to medical professionals. CPR is a common term for BCLS. The certification is very common, as medical professionals, dentists, first responders, and lifeguards are typically required to be certified to obtain a license to work in their respective fields. Being certified in ACLS is more difficult, yet it is recommended for more advanced cardiac life support situations where a higher degree of knowledge is required to properly ass