First Aid at Work Requalification (2-Day)

Course Overview

The First Aid at Work qualification does not maintain itself. Over three years, CPR technique drifts. Guidelines update. The primary survey changes. Confidence in AED use fades without regular practice. A first aider who completed their qualification three years ago and has not actively used or refreshed their skills since is not the same first aider who passed that course. Requalification exists to close that gap before it becomes a risk.

The First Aid at Work Requalification course is the two-day renewal programme for learners whose existing First Aid at Work certificate is approaching expiry. It is not a lighter version of the original qualification. It is a structured reassessment of practical skill, clinical decision-making, and current knowledge, delivered against the Resuscitation Council UK 2025 Resuscitation Guidelines and aligned with the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and HSE Approved Code of Practice L74.

One of the most significant challenges this course addresses is the update to current guidelines. The Resuscitation Council UK 2025 guidelines introduced changes to the primary survey and approach to basic life support that experienced first aiders need to understand and integrate into their practice. A first aider who learned their primary survey three years ago under different guidance and has not been updated is working to an outdated framework. This course brings that knowledge current and rebuilds the practical habits around it.

Course Details

  • Duration: 2 days (12 guided learning hours)
  • Delivery: In-person at your venue. Face-to-face only
  • Certificate:  Accredited First Aid at Work Requalification certificate
  • Awarding organisations: Worksafe, FAIB. Nuco and Highfield are available on request
  • Validity: 3 years
  • Group size: Up to 12 learners
  • Important: Requalification must be completed before the existing certificate expires. If the certificate has already lapsed beyond the permitted window, the full First Aid at Work (3 Day) course may be required

Who This Course Is For

This course is for workplace first aiders who hold a current, valid First Aid at Work certificate that is approaching its three-year expiry, including:

  • Workplace first aiders across all sectors whose FAW certificate is due for renewal
  • Organisations in higher-risk environments, including construction, manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and care settings
  • Schools and education providers maintaining first aid provision for staff
  • Employers renewing their first aid provision in line with HSE requirements

Please note: Learners must hold a valid, in-date First Aid at Work certificate to attend the requalification course. If your certificate has already expired, or if you are unsure whether it is still within the renewal window, contact us before booking, and we will advise on the correct route.

Why This FAW Requalification Training Matters

Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and HSE Approved Code of Practice L74, employers must ensure that their workplace first aiders remain competent and that their qualifications are current. A first aider whose certificate has lapsed is not a qualified first aider for the purposes of the Regulations. An employer relying on a lapsed certificate to meet their first aid provision obligations is not compliant. And in the event of a workplace incident where that first aider’s response is scrutinised, the gap in certification matters.

The Resuscitation Council UK 2025 Resuscitation Guidelines represent the most current international evidence on basic life support and first aid, developed through the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation and the European Resuscitation Council. They include updated guidance on the primary survey and approach to basic life support that differs from previous guidance. First aiders working to the pre-2025 framework are not working to the current standard. This course updates their practice.

First aid knowledge and skill deteriorate faster than most people expect without regular reinforcement. CPR technique, in particular, the compression depth, rate, and hand position that produces effective chest compressions, degrades significantly within months without practice. Research consistently shows that performance two to three years after initial training is substantially lower than it was at qualification. Requalification is the structured opportunity to identify that drift, correct it, and reassess competence before the certificate expires and the employer’s provision becomes non-compliant.

The timing of requalification matters more than many organisations realise. The two-day requalification route is only available while the existing certificate is still valid. Once it expires, the learner may need to complete the full three-day First Aid at Work course to regain qualified status. Leaving requalification to the last few weeks of the certificate period is a risk. Leaving it until after expiry is significantly more expensive and time-consuming.

What You Will Learn

By the end of the course, learners will be able to:

  • Apply the updated primary survey in line with Resuscitation Council UK 2025 guidelines and understand what has changed from previous guidance
  • Manage an unresponsive casualty safely and effectively, including airway management and the recovery position
  • Perform adult CPR to the current standard, with practical assessment of technique, rate, depth, and compression-to-breath ratio
  • Use an Automated External Defibrillator confidently, including correct pad placement and integration with CPR
  • Manage choking in adults
  • Control severe bleeding and manage shock
  • Recognise and respond to a heart attack and stroke
  • Provide first aid for fractures, soft tissue injuries, and head injuries
  • Manage burns, scalds, and minor injuries
  • Recognise and respond to seizures, asthma attacks, and diabetic emergencies
  • Understand the updated responsibilities of a workplace first aider under current HSE guidance
  • Record and report incidents accurately and in line with current legal requirements

Course Content

All content reflects the Resuscitation Council UK 2025 guidelines and HSE L74. Every course is tailored to include industry-specific scenarios and your organisation’s reporting systems. Topics covered include:

  • The updated primary survey: what has changed in 2025 guidance and how to apply it correctly
  • The role and legal responsibilities of a workplace first aider
  • Incident management and dynamic risk assessment
  • Managing an unresponsive casualty: airway, breathing, and the recovery position
  • Adult CPR: technique reassessment, rate, depth, and compression-to-breath ratio
  • AED use: correct pad placement, integration with CPR, and common errors
  • Choking in adults: partial and complete obstruction
  • Severe bleeding and wound management
  • Shock: recognition and first aid management
  • Heart attack and stroke: recognition and immediate response
  • Fractures, soft tissue injuries, and head injuries
  • Burns and scalds
  • Seizures
  • Asthma and diabetic emergencies
  • Minor injuries and incident response
  • Accident reporting and legal documentation requirements
  • Formal practical skills reassessment throughout both days

How the Course Is Delivered

This course is delivered face-to-face only. Practical first aid competencies must be physically assessed, and a requalification course that does not include direct observation of practical skills does not constitute valid renewal under HSE L74.

Sessions are practical, scenario-based, and structured around continuous assessment throughout both days, with a multiple-choice written exam on day 2. Groups are capped at 12 to ensure every learner receives sufficient hands-on time and individual feedback on their technique.

Delivery includes:

  • Practical reassessment of CPR, AED use, and primary survey technique with direct trainer feedback
  • Integration of the 2025 guideline updates into existing knowledge and habits
  • Scenario-based learning covering the full range of workplace first aid emergencies
  • Guided discussion of updated responsibilities and current HSE expectations
  • Formal continuous assessment of practical competencies throughout both days
  • Time for questions, because requalification consistently generates them as learners reconcile updated guidance with what they previously learned

Certification and Validity

On successful completion, learners receive a First Aid at Work Requalification certificate valid for 3 years, delivered through Worksafe or FAIB. Nuco and Highfield are available on request.

Timing is critical. Requalification must be completed while the existing certificate is still valid. The two-day requalification route is not available once the certificate has expired. If expiry has already passed, learners may need to complete the full First Aid at Work (3 Day) course. Book well ahead of the expiry date to avoid this situation. If you are unsure about your current status, contact us, and we will advise before you commit to anything.

Annual refresher training is strongly recommended between requalification cycles to maintain CPR technique and first aid confidence. Our Basic Life Support and AED Training course provides a focused annual skills update for qualified first aiders.

In-House and Bespoke Training

Every requalification course is built around your organisation, your risk profile, and the specific emergencies your first aiders are most likely to face.

We can tailor delivery to include:

  • Workplace-specific risk scenarios relevant to your sector and environment
  • Review of your accident reporting systems and how they align with legal documentation requirements
  • Industry-specific injury focus, including the emergencies most common in your setting
  • Alignment with your health and safety documentation and emergency response plan
  • Combined delivery with Basic Life Support and AED Training for organisations building annual refresher provision alongside requalification

We also provide guidance during the enquiry process to help organisations track their first aiders’ certificate expiry dates and plan renewal in good time.

Course Location and Service Areas

We deliver in-house training at your workplace or chosen venue across Manchester, Greater Manchester, and the wider North West. We also deliver nationally across England, including North England, South England, London, and Surrey.

All sessions are led by experienced Prima Cura Training instructors. Group sizes are capped at 12 per trainer to protect the quality of hands-on assessment. Every trainer holds an Enhanced DBS certificate.

FAQs

What is the difference between FAW Requalification and the full FAW course?

The First Aid at Work Requalification is a two-day course available to learners who hold a current, valid FAW certificate that is approaching its three-year expiry. The full First Aid at Work (3 Day) course is the initial qualification for learners who do not hold a current certificate or whose certificate has lapsed beyond the renewal window. The requalification route is shorter because it builds on existing knowledge and assessed competency. Once a certificate has expired, that route may no longer be available.

Can requalification be completed after the certificate has expired?

Not always. The two-day requalification route is designed for learners whose certificate is still valid. If the certificate has already expired, learners may need to complete the full three-day First Aid at Work course to regain qualified status. Our awarding organisation do allow some degree of grace period. If you are unsure whether your certificate is still within the renewal window, contact us before booking, and we will advise on the correct route for your situation.

When should we book requalification?

Ideally, six to eight weeks before the certificate expiry date, to allow time for scheduling without pressure and to ensure continuity of first aid provision. Leaving it to the final two weeks creates risk if the course cannot be accommodated in time. Leaving it until after expiry creates a more significant problem. If you have multiple first aiders with staggered expiry dates, get in touch, and we will help you plan a renewal schedule.

Is there a written exam?

Yes. The assessment for this course combines a written multiple-choice exam with continuous competency-based practical assessment across both days. The written element tests knowledge and understanding of first aid principles and current guidelines. The practical assessment evaluates technique, decision-making, and response to scenarios throughout the course. Both elements must be completed successfully for the requalification certificate to be awarded. This combined approach ensures first aiders can demonstrate both the knowledge behind what they are doing and the practical ability to do it under pressure.

Related Courses

Book or Enquire

To book First Aid at Work Requalification or request a quote for your team, use the enquiry form on this page or contact us directly. If you are unsure whether your certificate is still within the requalification window, get in touch before booking, and we will advise.

Our Commitment to Quality and Compliance

At Prima Cura Training, all courses reflect current UK guidance and best practice.

All trainers are experienced professionals with relevant qualifications and ongoing CPD. Because many of the organisations we support work with vulnerable individuals, all trainers hold Enhanced DBS checks.

This course is reviewed against updates from the Resuscitation Council UK, the Health and Safety Executive, and current UK health and safety legislation, including the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. All content reflects the Resuscitation Council UK 2025 Resuscitation Guidelines.

You can read more on our Quality Assurance and Compliance page.

Reviewed by Stephanie Austin, Owner and Lead Trainer, Prima Cura Training | 25+ years in health and social care | 15+ years as a trainer | Last reviewed: April 2026 | Next review: April 2027

This page is for general guidance only and reflects current UK health and safety legislation, HSE guidance, and Resuscitation Council UK 2025 guidelines at the date of review. It does not constitute legal advice. The First Aid at Work Requalification course is available to learners who hold a current, valid First Aid at Work certificate within the permitted renewal window. Employers remain legally responsible for ensuring their first aid provision complies with the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and the Approved Code of Practice L74, including ensuring that first aiders hold current, valid qualifications and that the level of provision reflects the outcome of a first aid needs assessment. Where certificates have expired, independent advice should be sought on the appropriate requalification route before booking.

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