How Long Is a First Aid Certificate Valid in BC? Renewal Explained
Workplace first aid certificates in BC don't last forever. Here's how long they're good for and how to renew them without a gap.
The Short Answer
- Basic First Aid (formerly OFA Level 1): valid for 3 years.
- Intermediate First Aid (formerly OFA Level 2): valid for 3 years.
The expiry date is printed on the certificate. Count three years from the day the course was completed, not from the start of the year.
How Renewal Works
Basic and Intermediate are renewed by retaking the full course before the certificate expires.
- Basic First Aid: 8 hours, run in one day.
- Intermediate First Aid: 16 hours. Two days in person, or online learning plus one in-person practical day.
A passed course gives your attendant a new certificate, valid for another three years.
What Happens When a Certificate Expires
Once it expires, it no longer counts. If that attendant was the one meeting your WorkSafeBC first aid requirement, your workplace is short until someone is certified again.
Most lapses happen for simple reasons:
- Nobody tracks expiry dates, so renewals are noticed too late.
- Several attendants were trained together, so they all expire in the same month.
- An attendant leaves and the replacement isn't trained yet.
How to Stay Current
- Know your requirement. Use our first aid requirements checker to confirm the level and number of attendants you need.
- Book 60 to 90 days ahead. That leaves time to schedule around shifts.
- Train a backup. One extra certified worker covers holidays, sick days and turnover.
- Train on site. Renewing a group at your workplace avoids sending people out one by one.
Want a refresher between certifications? Our 2-hour First Aid Lunch & Learn covers the primary survey, CPR and AED. It's a refresher, not a certification.
What Renewal Costs
- Basic First Aid: $120 per person, book included.
- Intermediate First Aid: $140 per person, plus $25 for the book.
Minimum 5 people. GST and PST apply. Clear Health Group is a Canadian Red Cross Training Partner, and certificates issued through our courses meet WorkSafeBC requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There a Shorter Recertification Course?
No. Basic and Intermediate First Aid are renewed by retaking the full course.
Can We Renew Early?
Yes. Renewing before the expiry date avoids any gap in coverage.
Does a Lunch & Learn Renew a Certificate?
No. It's a 2-hour refresher for your team, not a certification.
How Do We Track Who's Due?
Our clients see each worker's first aid due date in their client portal. With our Compliance Plan, we also remind you before anything lapses.
Book Your Renewal
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