Frequently Asked Questions

Typically, ACLS, BLS (CPR), and PALS, are held throughout the year. ATLS is held 4 to 5 times a year. FCCS is currently only offered once a year, typically in late fall. During the pandemic, some course dates and formats have been adjusted. Currently, the best way to confirm a course's availability is to check in on the respective courses' pages. 

What certifications are required for my position?

Please consult your home institution to confirm what certifications they require you to keep up-to-date.

What is the difference between the Initial (provider) course and the Retrain course?

The provider or initial course provides the foundations and basic knowledge needed to be successful in the course. The retrain course provides a refresher for practicing healthcare professionals, as well as the opportunity to keep their knowledge up to date with current medical evidence. You must have a current certification, or be within your 6 month grace period, to enroll a retraining course for that certificate.

Do you offer one-on-one skills sessions?

No, in order to provide a higher-quality simulation experience, we now only conduct skills sessions in groups. Please consult the registration page of the course you are interested in to see what skills sessions are open.

If you completed an online course under our old system, and still need to register for a skills session, please contact us at icels@umassmed.edu. We would be happy to transfer you into any scheduled skills session that has openings.

Do I need to register in advance? Can you hold my spot?

Most of our courses close to general registration two weeks before the course begins. We want to ensure that learners have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the material, and complete any testing that is required. This also helps us have certificates or cards ready on the day of the course.

Some courses may fill before this time. We cannot hold spots open—you must register if you want to ensure your place in a course.

For initial ATLS certification, we offer an “early bird” discount for learners who register more than a month prior to the course.

I missed the registration deadline! Can I still register?

If you have missed the general registration cutoff date for a course, but wish to find out if you can still register, please contact us at icels@umassmed.edu. If we are able to enroll you in the course as a late registrant, a fee may apply.

Can I register over the phone?

Unfortunately, we can only accept online registration. You can register for courses by visiting http://umassmed.edu/icels/services/certification-courses/

My department or residency program will cover my fees. How should I pay?

If you are a resident or fellow at UMass Memorial Health Care, your fees may be covered. Please confer with your residency coordinator or the head of your department about their policies. Some departments will pay for your registration, but cannot reimburse you. Your program or department can provide you with a cost account number or Speed Type number to enter in the payment field when you register. If they do not wish to provide the number, they can fill out your registration for you, instead.

Will I receive a textbook?

For ATLS and FCCS: A textbook will be mailed to you approximately 30 days before the course.

For in-person BLS (as opposed to the Online/Skills Session option): A textbook will be mailed to you. If you work on the UMass campus, you may pick up the textbook at iCELS reception before the course.

For BLS (CPR), ACLS, and PALS: You will not receive a textbook, but you will be emailed an online key 1-2 weeks before the skills session. This key provides access to all the learning material you need, and the email will include instructions for logging in to the website, viewing the course videos, and completing the online test. Please note, the online course is intensive, so please allow yourself ample time to complete it. We recommend planning to complete the online material at least 48 hours before the skills session. You must present the certificate of completion at the time you attend your skills session.

What if I have technical difficulties with the online material?

For questions about online materials for BLS, ACLS, and PALS, please contact the American Heart Association. Their website is http://www.onlineaha.org/. You can reach AHA customer service at 1-888-242-8883, or email them at help@onlineaha.org. 

For BLS, ACLS, and PALS Online/Skills Session courses, you must print out your certificate showing you have completed the online portion, and bring it to the skills session with you.

For traditional classes, please bring your textbook.

CME courses are held at the second floor of iCELS, which is located at Albert Sherman Center (368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA) of UMass Chan Medical School. Please plan for your trip by visiting this handy guide on getting here. If you do not have existing reserved parking at UMass Memorial Medical Center or UMass Chan Medical School, please park in the “South Road Parking Garage” for visitors, whch is adjacent to the main Hospital entrance. Current rates for parking in the visitor garage can be found at http://umassmed.edu/parking/ Parking for BLS, ACLS, PALS, and FCCS are not reimbursible. For ATLS, learners may request a parking voucher at iCELS reception desk. 

When will I receive my card or certificate?

Classes must be paid in full in order to receive a certification card and continuing education credit(s). A certification card is generally awarded on the day of the course to those who successfully complete the course and have paid for the course in full.

If for some reason your card is not available on the day of the course, your card will be mailed to you at the address you gave when you registered. If you wish your card sent elsewhere, please contact us at icels@umassmed.edu

For BLS, ACLS, and PALS, if you haven't located the email to claim your e-card:

1. Search in your Inbox, check your junk mail, as well as your trash or deletes thoroughly first
2. If you can not find this email, email Continuing.Education@umassmed.edu to re-email you the link for the e-card
3. If you have already claimed your e-card but need a copy and it is within the expiration date, go to www.heart.org/cpr/mycards

Once you have this e-card, please remember to forward the PDF card to your employer/coordinator/medical Staff Services and save a copy on your personal devise.

How can I receive Continuing Education Credits?

For BLS, ACLS, and PALS online courses with skills sessions, Continuing Education Credits are provided directly by the AHA. Once you have successfully completed all of the material, you may request a certificate through their website. For BLS Learners who attend an in-person class (rather than a skills session), the Continuing Education Credits are managed by us. To request verification of those credits, please contact us at icels@umassmed.edu.

For ATLS. the Continuing Education Credits are managed by the verifying institution, the American College of Surgeons.

For FCCS, Continuing Education Credits are managed by us. To request verification of those credits, please contact us at icels@umassmed.edu.

If you have a question or concern about certification courses, please feel free to contact us at icels@umassmed.edu. A member of the certification courses team will respond as soon as is possible. We appreciate your patience, as we receive a high volume of inquiries.