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How long does a first aid certificate last?
HSE's guidance on the First-Aid Regulations says first aid certificates are valid for three years, whether the course was FAW, EFAW or other training your first aid needs assessment called for. The certificate should show that it is valid for three years.
Employers need to arrange retraining before certificates expire. If a first aider does not requalify by the expiry date, they are no longer considered competent to act as a first aider in the workplace, so your cover can drop without anyone noticing.
- First Aid at Work (FAW): three years
- Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW): three years
- Paediatric first aid in early years settings: renewed every three years
- Mental Health First Aid (MHFA England): refresher every three years
First aid at work requalification
The FAW requalification course covers the same topics as the full course, with at least 12 hours of training and assessment over two days. The full FAW course is at least 18 hours over three days.
A first aider can requalify at any time after their certificate expires by taking the two-day course. If more than a month has passed since it expired, HSE says the full three-day course may be prudent. The employer decides which course is most appropriate.
EFAW requalification is the same as the first EFAW course: at least six hours over one day.
Annual first aid refreshers
HSE strongly recommends that first aiders take annual refresher training during their three-year certificate. It is not mandatory, but it helps them keep their basic skills and stay up to date with changes to first aid procedures.
HSE's guidance suggests content for a refresher but leaves the course design to providers. Record each refresher against the first aider, so you can show when their skills were last practised.
Paediatric and mental health first aid
In early years settings, the EYFS framework says at least one person with a current paediatric first aid certificate must be on the premises and available whenever children are present, and must go on outings. Paediatric first aid training must be renewed every three years.
Mental health first aid is a separate course. MHFA England says Mental Health First Aider training lasts three years and runs a refresher course to renew it. Many employers track it with their other first aiders.
How many first aiders do you need?
Numbers come from your first aid needs assessment, not a fixed ratio. HSE's leaflet INDG214 suggests these numbers as a starting point, for people available at all times staff are at work.
An appointed person looks after first aid arrangements and calls the emergency services, and needs no first aid training. Plan cover for holidays, sickness and shifts, so a trained first aider is always available.
- Lower hazard, such as offices and shops, fewer than 25 staff: at least one appointed person
- Lower hazard, 25 to 50 staff: at least one first aider trained in EFAW
- Lower hazard, more than 50 staff: at least one FAW first aider for every 100 employed
- Higher hazard, such as warehousing or construction, fewer than 5 staff: at least one appointed person
- Higher hazard, 5 to 50 staff: at least one first aider trained in EFAW or FAW, depending on the injuries that might occur
- Higher hazard, more than 50 staff: at least one FAW first aider for every 50 employed
What to record for each first aider
Keep a record that shows who your first aiders are, what they hold and when each certificate runs out, so requalification is booked before the expiry date rather than after it.
- Course type: FAW, EFAW, paediatric or mental health first aid
- Training provider and certificate date
- Expiry date shown on the certificate
- The date of each annual refresher
- A copy of the certificate
- The site and shifts they cover
How SkillProof helps
SkillProof records each first aider's course as a training requirement with an expiry date, keeps a copy of the certificate with the person and shows who is current, due soon or expired at each site. Reminders go out before a certificate expires, so requalification can be booked in time. SkillProof does not deliver or certify first aid training.
If you keep first aid dates in a spreadsheet today, the training matrix template shows how to lay out every course and renewal date in one grid.
Official guidance used for this guide
Checked
HSE, Department for Education and MHFA England guidance used for this article. Your own first aid needs assessment decides the cover you need.
Questions this guide answers
How long does a first aid certificate last?
First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work certificates are valid for three years. Arrange requalification before the expiry date on the certificate.
What happens if a first aid certificate expires?
HSE says the person is no longer considered competent to act as a first aider at work. They can requalify on the two-day course, though the full three-day course may be prudent if more than a month has passed.
Is annual first aid refresher training mandatory?
No. HSE strongly recommends annual refresher training during the three-year certificate, but it is not mandatory.
How long does paediatric first aid last?
In early years settings, the EYFS framework says paediatric first aid training must be renewed every three years.
Does SkillProof provide first aid training?
No. SkillProof records your first aiders' certificates and expiry dates and reminds people before requalification is due. Book the training with a first aid training provider.