How Often Should You Renew Your First Aid Certificate?

First Aid training equips you with life-saving skills — but like any skill, it can fade over time. That’s why knowing when to renew your First Aid certificate is just as important as taking the course in the first place. Whether you’re a business owner, teacher, construction worker or carer, keeping your certification up to date ensures you remain compliant, confident and competent.

In this blog, we’ll break down how long First Aid certificates last, what types of refresher training are available, and why staying current could save a life.

How Long Is a First Aid Certificate Valid in the UK?

Under Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines:

• Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) – Valid for 3 years

• First Aid at Work (FAW) – Valid for 3 years

• Paediatric First Aid (Ofsted-compliant) – Valid for 3 years

• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) – Valid for 3 years

After this period, the certificate becomes invalid, and you’ll need to complete a requalification course or the full course again to maintain compliance.

Why Renewal Matters

1. Skills Fade Without Practice

Even the best training can fade if not used regularly. Studies suggest that First Aid skills begin to deteriorate as early as 6–12 months after training.

2. Medical Guidance Changes

Best practices in First Aid evolve. For example, changes in CPR techniques or allergy management protocols are periodically introduced. Staying updated ensures your care reflects current evidence-based guidance.

3. Legal and Workplace Requirements

If you’re the designated First Aider at work, letting your certificate lapse means your business is no longer compliant with HSE regulations. This can leave employers exposed to risk in the event of an incident.

4. Confidence is Key

Emergencies are stressful. You don’t want to hesitate or second-guess yourself. Refresher training reinforces muscle memory and boosts the confidence needed to act fast.

What Happens If Your Certificate Expires?

If your certificate expires, you may need to retake the full course:

• For EFAW, simply book another one-day course.

• For FAW, you must complete a two-day requalification course if it’s within 30 days of expiry — otherwise, it’s the full 3-day course again.

• Paediatric and MHFA learners typically need to repeat the course in full once the certificate has lapsed.

We recommend booking renewal training before your certificate expires to avoid disruption.

Who Needs to Renew?

• Designated First Aiders at work

• Childcare professionals and teachers (Ofsted-compliant)

• Sports coaches and club volunteers

• Care home staff and health workers

• Parents and carers who want to stay prepared

Basically, if you have a certificate and want to remain current — or if others rely on your First Aid knowledge — you should renew.