Certificate Validity, Requalification and Refresher Training

All first-aid training certificates, whether FAW, EFAW or some other appropriate training, are valid for three years.

Employers need to arrange retraining before certificates expire. The FAW requalification course lasts two days and should cover the same content as the initial FAW course (Appendix 5). If the first-aider does not retrain or requalify before the expiry date on their current certificate they are no longer considered competent to act as a first-aider in the workplace.

They can requalify at any time after the expiry date by undertaking the two-day requalification course. However, it may be prudent to complete the three-day FAW course, especially where a considerable period - ie in excess of one month - has elapsed since the FAW certificate expired. It is for the employer to decide the most appropriate training course to requalify the first-aider.*

Stewart First Aid Training would strongly recommend that any first aider whose certificate has expired by > than 1 month should sit a 3 day First Aid at Work course to ensure skills and knowledge are current. However, it is at the employers discretion as to whether employees sit a 2 day Reqaulification course or a full 3 day First Aid at Work course after the first aiders certificate has expired. 

If you have any question or for more information freephone us on 0800 163 209 or email info@stewartfirstaid.com

*Reference - www.hse.gov.uk "First Aid Guidance L74 (page 22 - Note 74)"