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.
The course contains 4 main modules and 8 special situations 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
Special Situations:
The PeRLS certificate offers a bundled version that includes an additional Physical Resuscitation module specifically created to help meet hospital and group basic life support (BLS) requirements.
Learners are required to complete the Modules 1 - 4 as well as the special situations. After finishing all modules, learners will need to complete a final exam and receive a passing score of 80% or higher.
Yes, you will receive periodic email reminders 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.
PeRLS will be released every two years.
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®.
The PeRLS eCard expires two years from the day of completion.
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.
Download PeRLS Talking Points covering the benefits of focused and relevant ACLS training for busy perioperative clinicians (PDF).
Yes, PeRLS is designed to meet the resuscitation education required by accrediting organizations (e.g., The Joint Commission).
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, and Israeli academic institutions.
Participation in this educational activity ranges from $158-175 for ASA members and $194-200 for non-members. For inquiries on institutional sales and pricing, contact Scott Maurus, Director of Hospital and Health Care System Solutions.
Yes. Please email your questions or issues to [email protected].
You can provide comments on a question-level basis for faculty review and feedback. For additional clinical conversation, consider posting on the members-only online forum: ASA Community.
Curated by: the ASA Education department
Date of last update: May 16, 2025