First Aid at Work Requalification
Delivered at Your Workplace — UK-wide
Your team's FAW certificates are valid for three years. When that window is closing, the requalification is the quickest, least disruptive way to renew them — without repeating the full three-day course. We deliver the First Aid at Work Requalification on site, at your premises, on dates that suit you, for a single fixed price covering up to 12 people.
Why the requalification matters
Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, employers must provide adequate first aid cover at all times. If your designated first aiders let their certificates expire, your workplace loses that cover — and the compliance gap is immediate. The FAW Requalification exists precisely to prevent that: a condensed, practical two-day programme that refreshes and re-assesses the full First Aid at Work syllabus, bringing certificates back to a fresh three-year cycle.
Getting the First Aid at Work Requalification at your workplace means no venue fees, no travel costs and no time spent commuting. Your trainer arrives at your premises fully equipped; your team trains in their own environment and returns to their desks or workstations the same day the practical session ends.
Who is this course for?
The requalification is open to employees who hold a current, valid First Aid at Work (FAW) certificate and need to renew it before the three-year expiry date passes. It is the standard renewal route for:
- Designated workplace first aiders in offices, manufacturing, warehousing, retail, construction, hospitality and care settings
- HR and operations managers running a compliance calendar for first aid certificates across a site or multiple sites
- Facilities and health & safety managers who need to maintain continuous first aid cover across shift patterns
- Any organisation where first aiders' certificates are coming up for renewal at the same time — a common situation when a team was originally trained together
Important: the requalification pathway requires the existing FAW certificate to still be in date at the time of training. If a certificate has already lapsed, the individual normally needs to complete the full First Aid at Work (3-day) course rather than the requalification. If you are unsure which applies to your team, call us on 0800 852 7739 and we can advise quickly.
What your team will learn
The requalification covers the complete FAW syllabus, refreshed and updated to reflect current protocols — including the latest Resuscitation Council UK guidance on CPR technique. By the end of the two days, each delegate will be able to:
- Carry out a safe primary survey (DR ABC) and manage an unresponsive casualty — protecting the airway, placing a casualty in the recovery position and monitoring throughout
- Deliver high-quality adult CPR — correct hand position, compression depth (5–6 cm), rate (100–120 per minute), full chest recoil and minimal hands-off time
- Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) confidently — pad placement, integrating the shock sequence with CPR, and understanding when the device will and will not advise a shock
- Recognise and manage choking — back blows and abdominal thrusts for a conscious adult, and transitioning to CPR if the casualty becomes unresponsive
- Control serious and life-threatening bleeding — direct pressure, wound packing where appropriate, and the management of shock while waiting for emergency services
- Treat burns and scalds — including chemical and electrical burns, correct cooling technique and dressing; knowing when to call 999
- Manage fractures, dislocations and spinal injuries — recognising signs, immobilisation principles and when not to move a casualty
- Respond to medical emergencies — recognising and giving appropriate first aid for heart attack, stroke, anaphylaxis, epileptic seizures, asthma attacks, diabetic episodes (hypo and hyperglycaemia) and the signs of a serious head injury
- Handle chest injuries, abdominal wounds and eye injuries — including penetrating wounds and how to stabilise a casualty for ambulance arrival
- Record and report injuries correctly — understanding workplace recording obligations and what is reportable under RIDDOR 2013
- Apply first aid skills in scenario-based exercises — working through realistic workplace emergencies specific to your environment, reinforcing decision-making under pressure
How the two days run
The requalification is delivered as a blended programme: an online element followed by a hands-on practical day at your premises.
E-learning (before the practical day)
Each delegate completes a self-paced online module in their own time before the on-site session. This covers the theoretical foundations of the FAW syllabus — legislation, the first aider's role, protocol updates and knowledge-based content — so the practical day can focus entirely on skills and assessment rather than sitting through a lecture. Most delegates complete the e-learning in two to three hours, working around their normal schedule.
Practical day at your workplace
Your trainer arrives at your premises with everything needed: full-body CPR manikins, infant and child manikins, AED training units and a complete set of first aid dressings and equipment for scenario work. The day is structured around active, hands-on practice — delegates rotate through station-based exercises covering each element of the FAW syllabus. There are no lengthy slide presentations; the focus is on building confident, repeatable technique through practice and feedback.
Assessment
Assessment is continuous throughout the practical day. Your trainer observes technique, safety awareness and decision-making during each practical exercise — there is no separate, high-stakes sit-down exam. This approach makes the assessment feel less stressful while being thorough enough to satisfy the FAIB's competency requirements.
Certificates issued
Delegates who meet the required standard receive a First Aid at Work certificate valid for a further three years. Certificates are typically issued promptly after the practical day. Each certificate satisfies the requirements of the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and is recognised by the HSE as evidence of competency for designated workplace first aiders.
Assessment and certificate
Successful delegates are awarded a First Aid at Work certificate (valid 3 years), accredited by the First Aid Industry Body (FAIB). FAIB is a quality-assurance body recognised in the UK first aid sector; certificates issued through FAIB-accredited providers satisfy the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and are accepted by the HSE as a valid qualification for designated workplace first aiders.
Assessment failure on this course is uncommon. Because assessment is continuous and observational, your trainer can offer guidance and correction in real time during practice rather than waiting until a formal test. The process is designed to build confidence, not create unnecessary pressure.
Why train on site at your workplace?
Sending staff off site for a requalification sounds straightforward — but when you account for travel time, mileage, parking, and the disruption of an entire team being away, the true cost climbs quickly. First Aid at Work Requalification on site eliminates all of that.
- Fixed price, no surprises. One flat fee of from £650 + VAT covers up to 12 delegates. That works out at just over £54 per person for a group of 12 — and includes the trainer's travel to your premises anywhere in the UK.
- No travel time lost. Your team trains in their own building. There is no commute and no time spent finding an unfamiliar venue — they walk into the training room and walk back to their desks when it is done.
- Dates that suit you. We work around your rota, shift patterns and seasonal pressures. You choose the dates; we confirm availability and come to you.
- Relevant to your workplace. Scenario-based exercises are tailored to the hazards and layout of your actual environment — whether that is an office, a warehouse, a care home, a construction site or a school. This is something an open course run at a generic venue simply cannot replicate.
- The whole team renewed in one session. If several first aiders' certificates are coming up for renewal at the same time, a single on-site day resolves all of them at once, rather than staggering individuals across multiple external courses.
Legal and compliance note
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require every employer to make adequate and appropriate first aid provision for their employees. What counts as adequate is decided by a first aid needs assessment — not by a fixed rule — and it includes maintaining enough trained first aiders to provide cover at all times, across all shifts and absences.
First Aid at Work certificates are valid for three years. The HSE advises employers to manage certificate expiry dates carefully, as there is no automatic grace period once a certificate lapses. Requalifying before expiry is the only reliable way to maintain unbroken first aid cover and stay compliant. The HSE also strongly recommends an annual refresher for all qualified first aiders during the three-year period, to keep practical skills — particularly CPR — sharp between requalifications.
Since October 2013, the HSE no longer directly approves or accredits first aid training providers. Instead, employers are responsible for satisfying themselves that their chosen provider is competent. FAIB accreditation provides a recognised quality framework that supports this due diligence, and FAIB certificates are accepted by the HSE, Ofsted and the vast majority of UK insurers.
Your questions answered
Who needs to do the First Aid at Work Requalification?
Anyone who currently holds a First Aid at Work (FAW) certificate and needs to renew it before the three-year expiry date. The requalification is the recognised route to keep those individuals qualified without returning to the full three-day course — but only if their existing certificate is still in date when the training takes place. If you have several first aiders due for renewal at the same time, a single on-site session can cover all of them in one go.
What happens if a certificate has already expired?
Once a First Aid at Work certificate has lapsed, the requalification pathway closes. The individual normally needs to complete the full First Aid at Work (3-day) course to obtain a new certificate. Some awarding bodies allow a short window of flexibility after expiry, but this varies — the safest and clearest advice is to requalify before the expiry date to avoid any gap in cover. If a certificate has already expired, call us on 0800 852 7739 and we will advise on the best route forward for your specific situation.
How does the blended two-day format work in practice?
Before the on-site practical session, delegates complete a self-paced e-learning module in their own time — most people finish it in around two to three hours. This covers the theory behind the FAW syllabus: legislation, the first aider's role, protocol updates and knowledge-based content. Completing the theory online means the practical day at your workplace can be devoted entirely to hands-on skills practice and continuous assessment. Together, the two elements satisfy the full contact-hour requirement for the FAW Requalification.
What does the from £650 + VAT price actually include?
Everything. The fixed fee of from £650 + VAT covers the whole group of up to 12 delegates and includes: your trainer travelling to your premises anywhere in the UK; all training manikins, AED simulators and first aid consumables; continuous assessment throughout the practical day; and FAIB-accredited First Aid at Work certificates for every delegate who meets the required standard. There are no per-head fees, no venue costs and no invoice surprises.
Is an FAIB-accredited certificate accepted by the HSE, Ofsted and our insurer?
Yes. The First Aid Industry Body (FAIB) is a recognised quality-assurance body in the UK first aid sector. Certificates awarded through FAIB-accredited providers satisfy the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and are accepted by the HSE as valid evidence of competency for designated workplace first aiders. FAIB accreditation is also accepted by Ofsted for relevant settings. If your insurer has any specific query, we are happy to provide supporting documentation.
Does our first aider also need an annual refresher?
An annual refresher is not a legal requirement, but the HSE strongly recommends it for all qualified first aiders (both FAW and EFAW) during the three-year certificate period. Practical skills — particularly CPR technique and AED operation — can fade without regular practice. Our Annual First Aid Refresher is a three-hour on-site session (from £395 + VAT for up to 12 people) designed to run in the years between requalifications. Importantly, the annual refresher does not extend or replace the three-year certificate — full requalification is still required at the three-year point.
How far in advance should we book?
We recommend booking at least six to eight weeks before the certificate expiry date. This gives delegates enough time to complete the e-learning module comfortably and allows us to confirm a date that works around your schedule. Leaving it to the final few weeks risks running out of available dates and creates a gap in your first aid cover if any delay occurs. If you are already close to expiry, call us on 0800 852 7739 — we will do our best to turn it around quickly.
What does our workplace need to provide on the day?
Just a suitable training space and basic facilities. You need a clear, private room with enough floor space for delegates to practise CPR on manikins — a medium-sized meeting room typically works for groups of up to eight; a larger open space (a cleared canteen or training room) suits groups of nine to twelve. Move furniture to the sides so the floor is clear. Provide one chair per delegate and access to toilets. Your trainer brings everything else: manikins, AED training units, dressings, scenario equipment and certificates.
Can you deliver the requalification at our workplace anywhere in the UK?
Yes. We deliver the First Aid at Work Requalification on site at your workplace anywhere in the UK — from Scotland to the South West, from city offices to rural industrial sites. A single fixed price covers up to 12 delegates regardless of your location. You will not need to arrange external venues, organise transport or take staff off site. We come to you.
Related courses
Not quite the right fit? These courses are often booked alongside or instead of the requalification. Get in touch if you would like guidance.
First Aid at Work (3 Day)
The full FAW qualification for higher-risk workplaces, new first aiders, or anyone whose certificate has already lapsed.
Annual First Aid Refresher
HSE-recommended three-hour session to keep CPR, AED and core skills sharp between requalifications.
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)
One-day first aid for lower-risk workplaces. A lighter qualification where the needs assessment does not require the full FAW.
Ready to renew your team's FAW certificates?
Tell us your location, your preferred dates and how many first aiders need requalifying. We will confirm availability, answer any questions and get a quote to you quickly — no obligation.