FAQs

Who can take the AHLS Provider course?

AHLS Provider is open to all interested parties and individuals, however, the target audience is medical care providers.

The AHLS Provider course taken by personnel categories such as physicians, physician assistants, registered (RN, BSN, MSN) and advance practice nurses, paramedics, AEMTs, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, and toxicologists may become Verified AHLS Providers. Any concerns of equivalency to these categories (especially within international venues) should be addressed to AHLS International Headquarters.

The AHLS Provider course taken by personnel categories such as: EMT, EMR, LPN, MA (Medical Assistant), and industrial, scientific and military personnel will not receive AHLS Provider verification, but will receive a certificate of completion and continuing education credits from AHLS International Headquarters.

The AHLS Instructor course is available to all Verified AHLS Providers.

Who can become a verified AHLS Provider or Provider/Instructor?

Physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses (nurse practitioners), nurses (RN, BSN, MSN), paramedics, AEMTs, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, and toxicologists. Any concerns of equivalency to these categories (especially within international venues) should be addressed to AHLS International Headquarters.

Why do I want to become a verified AHLS Provider or Provider/Instructor?

AHLS is an educational program for medical providers focused on the medical management of patients exposed to hazardous material incidents.

AHLS verification is the internationally recognized distinction for healthcare professionals who have successfully completed the premier course on the medical management of patients exposed to hazardous materials and dangerous goods. AHLS verification allows for additional training opportunities with AHLS, further enhancing an individual’s capacity to respond to events related to hazardous material incidents.

As an AHLS Instructor, an individual is provided the opportunity to host their own courses, allowing for the training of their colleagues and coworkers, or those in their community.

How long does my AHLS Provider verification last?

For those eligible to become a verified AHLS Provider and upon completion of an AHLS Provider course, they will receive a certificate of completion and an AHLS Provider verification card. The verification card is good for up to four years. They can renew their verification status online once every four years following the completion of a live course.

How do I apply to host an AHLS course?

Apply online, a minimum of 6 months before the proposed course date, after determining the following:

Course Location
Course Dates
Verified AHLS Instructors
Proposed Budget
Course Prices

Access the online application at the host a course page and click the “APPLY NOW” button. There is a $25 application fee.

How much should I charge participants to take an AHLS course?

International Headquarters provides suggested fees; however, final participant fees are at the discretion of each course host.

How do I locate instructors to teach an AHLS course?

The Course Director can contact AHLS International Headquarters to receive access to a list of verified AHLS Instructors in their region. All AHLS Instructors negotiate their own rates for teaching a course.

I have submitted a course application, now what?

All course applications are reviewed by AHLS International Headquarters and the respective AHLS Regional Director. AHLS will contact the applicant if there are any questions or clarifications needed prior to approval. The approval process generally takes approximately two weeks.

Do I need to open my course to the public?

No. Course participation is at the discretion of the local course host.

I want my course open to the public. How do I promote my course?

AHLS International Headquarters will assist in marketing a course by generating advertisement flyers for local distribution and through social media channels. Courses can also be listed on www.ahls.org. All marketing services are available upon request. It is imperative to advertise and promote your course early to maximize course participation.

My course was approved, what are the next steps?

AHLS International Headquarters will provide the Course Director with the necessary document templates to advertise and plan the course. While the Course Director is responsible for the course itself, the Course Director can assign a Course Administrator to serve as the contact person for registrants.

All documentation to host a course will be provided by AHLS International Headquarters. AHLS staff will work with the Course Director or Course Administrator in providing the appropriate templates for their course.

I am a course host, is shipping included for my AHLS manuals?

For U.S.-based courses– Shipping to the course host site is included in the “Fee to Host a Course.”

Shipping options are also available to distribute manuals directly to your participants from AHLS. Please contact AHLS International to learn more.

For non-U.S.-based courses– The shipping fee is in addition to the “Fee to Host a Course.”

If a course host requires overnight shipping the fee for this service will be added regardless of location.

Please contact AHLS International for shipping estimates.

I am a course host, how do my participants obtain their manuals?

Local course hosts are responsible for sending manuals to participants locally. It is recommended that a participant receive their manual at least 2 weeks prior to the course date.

How do I renew my AHLS Provider verification?

Your status as a verified AHLS Provider remains active for four years after the successful completion of an AHLS Provider Course. To maintain your status as a verified AHLS Provider, you must reverify before the expiration date on your AHLS Provider certificate.

If you do not reverify as an AHLS Provider by your expiration date, your status as an AHLS Provider changes from “verified” to “lapsed”. Your status will remain as “lapsed” for the six months following your expiration date. During this 6-month period, you may reverify as an AHLS Provider and have your status returned to “verified”.

After the 6-month grace period ends, you are no longer considered to be an AHLS Provider (verified or lapsed) and must take an AHLS Provider Course again to become verified as an AHLS Provider.

What is the reverification process for an AHLS Instructor?

There is no separate verification process for AHLS Instructors. If you are verified as an AHLS Instructor, your status will continue as long as your AHLS Provider status remains current.

How will I know when my AHLS Provider status is set to expire?

Your expiration date is included on your AHLS Provider certificate and verification card. About one year before your expiration date, you will also receive automated emails from AHLS reminding you of your upcoming expiration date and steps on how to reverify.

How much does it cost to reverify online?

The cost to reverify online is $65 for the exam only, or $175 if an individual would like to purchase both a copy of the AHLS Provider manual and register for the exam.

How do I access the online reverification exam?

The online reverification can be accessed via an individual’s www.ahls.org account. Once logged in, the link to begin the reverification process can be found listed under Exams Available on the user’s account homepage. Once the exam is complete and submitted, an individual’s verification status will be renewed automatically for four years.

I still have questions.