If you manage first aid at work, certificate expiry dates are easy to lose track of. Here is how long first aid certificates last, and what to do before they run out.
Short answer: First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work certificates are valid for three years. Book renewal before the expiry date shown on the certificate. The HSE recommends a short annual refresher in between, though it is not a legal requirement.
How long is a first aid certificate valid?
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) and First Aid at Work (FAW) certificates are valid for three years. The expiry date is on the certificate, so it is worth recording it somewhere your team can easily check.
Annual refresher training
Annual refresher training is not a legal requirement, but the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) strongly recommends it for employers, to help first aiders keep their skills and confidence up between courses. Three years is a long time to go without practising CPR or choking techniques. Our First Aid Annual Refresher is a short course designed for exactly this.
Renewing before your certificate expires
To keep a first aider in place, they need to requalify before their certificate runs out. People who hold an EFAW certificate retake the one-day EFAW course. People who hold a FAW certificate can take a two-day First Aid at Work Requalification course. If a certificate has already expired, check with your training provider what is needed, as the options can differ.
Keeping on top of it
- Keep a simple list of every first aider and their certificate expiry date
- Book renewals well ahead, so a busy diary does not leave you with a gap
- Stagger renewals where you can, so you never lose all your first aiders at once
- Review your first aid needs assessment whenever your team, premises or work changes
This article is general guidance rather than legal advice. Our guides to how many first aiders your workplace needs and which first aid course you need may help. If you would like to talk through renewals for your team, send us an enquiry.
What if my certificate has already expired?
Many training providers allow a First Aid at Work requalification course to be taken within 28 days of the certificate expiring. During that gap you should not be counted as a workplace first aider. After 28 days, you will normally need to take the full three-day First Aid at Work course again.
Rules can vary between awarding bodies, so if you are close to your expiry date or have just passed it, get in touch and we will tell you which course fits.
Written by Graham Hepburn and Rachel Hawkins, FAIB-registered trainers at H2H Training. Last reviewed October 2026. Graham on LinkedIn Rachel on LinkedIn
