If you’re booking training for your team (or renewing your own qualification), two questions come up every time: How long is the course? and how long does the certificate last? This guide breaks down typical course durations, UK certificate validity, and the simplest way to stay compliant without overcomplicating it.
How long different First Aid courses take
Course length depends on the level of risk in your workplace, the number of first aiders you need, and what you’re training people to handle.
- Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW): typically 1 day (often 6–7 hours plus breaks)
- First Aid at Work (FAW): typically 3 days
- First Aid at Work Requalification (FAW Requal): typically 2 days
- Annual CPR/AED updates (common in some sectors, e.g. dental): often half-day or short update session
Practical note: delivery time can vary slightly depending on class size, learner needs, and whether you’re adding workplace-specific scenarios (which I recommend for better real-world performance).
How long First Aid certificates remain valid
In the UK, most workplace first aid certificates are valid for 3 years.
That includes:
- EFAW certificate validity: 3 years
- FAW certificate validity: 3 years
After that, the certificate expires and the first aider is no longer considered “in date” for the purposes of workplace first aid cover.
Employer tip: don’t rely on memory. Keep a simple training matrix (name, course, issue date, expiry date, renewal booked) so you’re not scrambling when someone’s certificate lapses.
When refresher or renewal training is required
You’ve got two separate needs here: staying competent and staying compliant.
- Renewal (required): before the 3-year expiry
- If someone holds FAW, they usually renew via the 2-day FAW Requalification course.
- If someone holds EFAW, they typically renew by retaking the 1-day EFAW course.
- Refresher (strongly recommended): during the 3-year period
- Many employers schedule a short annual refresher to keep skills sharp.
- This is especially sensible in higher-risk environments, or where staff turnover, shift patterns, or lone working make cover more fragile.
Why it matters: first aid is a perishable skill. People forget steps, lose confidence, and hesitate. Refreshers reduce that hesitation.
Choosing the correct renewal course
The “right” renewal course is the one that matches your risk assessment and your legal duty to provide adequate first aid cover.
Use these quick rules:
- If your workplace needs FAW cover (higher risk or larger teams), renew first aiders on FAW Requalification (2 days).
- If your workplace needs EFAW cover (lower risk, smaller teams), renew on EFAW (1 day).
- If roles or risks have changed, don’t automatically renew the same course—review your needs assessment first.
- If you’re unsure, get a quick check done. A short conversation plus a basic needs assessment often saves money and prevents under-training or over-training.
Keep it simple: a compliance-friendly renewal plan
Here’s a straightforward approach most SMEs can manage:
- Maintain a training matrix with expiry dates
- Start renewal planning 3–6 months before certificates expire
- Book renewals early (especially for multiple staff or on-site delivery)
- Add a short refresher/update annually if your risk level justifies it
Need help checking what you actually need?
If you want to confirm whether your team should be on EFAW or FAW (and how many first aiders you realistically need), I can run through a quick needs assessment with you and map out a renewal plan that keeps you compliant.
Call or email to book: info@sppsolutions.com
