Having up-to-date first aid knowledge, very simply, can make all the difference. Knowing what to do in an emergency and acting quickly and correctly could save a life and avoid tragedy.
However, it’s essential to keep your training current with the right first aid techniques, workplace standards, and safety legislation. These evolve over time, so keeping your first aid certificate valid can ensure you stay legally compliant and ready to respond effectively.
At JMS First Aid Training, we provide accredited courses throughout Northamptonshire, Brackley, Towcester, Banbury, and surrounding areas, helping workplaces and individuals with their confidence and compliance in the face of a life-saving situation. Whether you are a teacher, business owner, healthcare worker, or a parent, knowing how long a first aid certificate lasts is the first step to being prepared.
How Long Does a First Aid Certificate Last?
In the UK, the validity of the first aid certificate will depend on the type of course completed. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that both First Aid at Work (FAW) and Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificates remain valid for three years from the date of issue. However, the HSE and most training providers, including us, recommend attending a refresher course every 12 months.
While once a year may seem like too much for some, it’s important to remember that refreshers take only a few hours and can help maintain practical competence and confidence in those high-stress scenarios like cardiac arrests, severe bleeding, and choking.
Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, employers must ensure their designated first aiders are both qualified and competent. If a certificate lapses, that person can no longer legally act as a workplace first aider. By keeping certification current, organisations will demonstrate due diligence, comply with the law, and protect the well-being of their workforce.
How Long Do Different Types of First Aid Courses Last?
Different training courses have different lifespans and renewal methods. Whether you require basic emergency response skills or advanced compliance in the workplace, here is how long each certificate lasts:
| Course Type | Certificate Validity | Renewal Method |
| Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) | 3 years | 1-day refresher or requalification before expiry |
| First Aid at Work (FAW) | 3 years | 2-day requalification course required |
| Paediatric First Aid (PFA) | 3 years | Retake the 2-day course in line with EYFS 2025 Guidelines |
| CPR / Basic Life Support (BLS) | 1 year | Typically annual renewal in healthcare settings |
Consistent certification is vital in any setting, not just for compliance, but for the far more important outcome of saving a life.
What Happens When a First Aid Certificate Expires?
When a certificate expires, the holder is no longer recognised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as a qualified first aider. Even if you can recall the content, you are classed as not being competent because the competency is no longer validated. Legally, an individual cannot fulfil their first aider responsibilities at work. Letting certification lapse can cause significant problems, including:
- Companies may fall out of compliance with HSE legislation.
- Employees risk losing official qualification status.
- Children or patients may not receive proper assistance in the face of an emergency.
To avoid these risks, it is essential to renew before the current certificate expires. If it has been more than 28 days since expiry, it will be necessary to retake the full course rather than a shorter requalification. Therefore, checking your certificate’s issue and expiry date ensures continuity of coverage. We always remind learners in Northamptonshire and beyond to plan their renewal early to avoid gaps in qualification coverage.
How to Renew Your First Aid Certificate
Thankfully, renewing your certification is straightforward. At JMS First Aid Training, we make it simple, flexible, and location-friendly:
- Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) requires a short one-day renewal session to reinstate validity for another three years.
- First Aid at Work (FAW) requires a two-day requalification course. If, however, more than 28 days have passed since the expiry of the certificate, it may be necessary to repeat the full three-day course.
- Paediatric First Aid (PFA) certification under EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework) 2025 still lasts three years, and renewal follows the same two-day structure, covering infant, child, and emergency response scenarios.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certificates recommend annual renewal, particularly for GP and dental practices, to align with CQC inspection standards.
JMS First Aid offers flexible requalification courses across Northamptonshire, making renewal convenient and local for individuals and businesses.
Book Your First Aid Requalification Course
Why Regular Refresher Training Is Recommended
Even experienced first aiders experience what is called skill fade. Without regular practice, memory retention of compression depths, choking procedures, or the recovery steps can decline considerably within as little as six to twelve months.
This is why the HSE recommends an annual refresher session to help with:
- Maintaining muscle memory for CPR and defibrillator use.
- Ensuring familiarity with updated advice, for example, COVID-era resuscitation revisions.
- Improving confidence, calm, and reducing stress levels under pressure.
At JMS First Aid, we are committed to practical confidence-building sessions to make learning easy and memorable. Combining hands-on scenarios with engaging instruction, learners can revisit both basic and advanced response techniques so they can protect anyone confidently. In industries like childcare, healthcare, and anywhere emergencies can happen in a split second, this ongoing training is invaluable.
Stay Compliant and Confident with JMS First Aid
First aid training undoubtedly saves lives, but the real impact comes from the practitioner staying up to date. Whether you are a childcare professional, designated workplace first aider, or just someone who wants to help in emergencies, keeping your first aid certificate valid ensures you are ready for any situation.
At JMS First Aid Training, we provide interactive, practical, and personable courses tailored to your environment. We offer initial training, requalification sessions, and refreshers designed to suit individuals, schools, nurseries, and businesses.
Do not let your certification expire. Check your issue date today and renew before it is too late.
Book your requalification course with JMS First Aid Training now and ensure that you or your organisation are properly prepared to save lives.
