First Aid and CPR Training FAQs
Have questions about first aid and CPR training? We answer some common questions. Whether you're fulfilling workplace safety requirements or ensuring compliance, our FAQ provides answers to help you understand training and certification.
What Course Should I Take?
Here in Ontario, the Canadian Red Cross training we deliver is approved for workplace delivery by the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB). This training though, is aligned with CSA Z1210:24 and meets legislation requirements for provincial/territorial worker safety and insurance boards across Canada. The Canadian Red Cross First Aid & CPR Certificates are also accepted by school faculties throughout Canada. For school programs especially, you will want to check your requirements with your educational institution to ensure you select the proper course before registering.
To meet most workplace requirements, you can never go wrong with Intermediate (Standard) First Aid & CPR/AED as it is the most comprehensive and requested course. However, as communicated with this chart lesser certificates are accepted where fewer workers are involved.
| Number of Employees Working Per Shift (at any one Time) |
Type of Certificate Required |
| 5 or less |
Basic (Emergency) First Aid & CPR/AED |
| 6 or more |
Intermediate (Standard) First Aid & CPR/AED |
For comprehensive information on Ontario WSIB First Aid & CPR requirements check out their
dedicated web page.
For requirements of worker safety and insurance boards in other jurisdictions begin your search with the
Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada.
How Many Workers Should I Train?
Employers must ensure first aid stations are always under the care of a worker with a valid first aid certificate when work is in progress. Employers with more than one shift require first aiders for each shift. Having multiple trained first aiders is recommended to ensure compliance when a first aider is away from work, ill, or on vacation. It is recommended that a first aider should be able to reach an injured or ill worker within a two-minute walk.*
*
According to the WSIB requirements.
Can I upgrade from Basic (Emergency) First Aid to Intermediate (Standard) First Aid?
There are no upgrade courses from Basic to Intermediate First Aid. Participants would be required to attend a new course in the level they require.
I already have CPR; can I just take the First Aid?
First Aid programs cannot be taken without CPR, even if the participant is already certified in CPR. They must register for a new certification and participate in the entire course, including the CPR component.
Can I recertify my Intermediate (Standard) First Aid training with WHSC, if I took it from another organization?
Yes. As of June 22, 2026, we can accept certificates for recertification issued by Canadian first aid providers whose programs are aligned with CSA Z1210:24.
Participants who complete a full Standard First Aid course on or before June 21, 2026 will remain eligible to follow the recertification pathway when their certification expires.
Participants who take a full Intermediate (Standard) First Aid course or an Intermediate (Standard) First Aid recertification course on or after June 22, 2026 will receive the updated course content.
Basic (Emergency) First Aid recertification is not permitted in Ontario.
Certifications issued before June 22, 2026 will remain valid until their stated expiry date, even if that date falls after June 22, 2026*
*See our recertification courses for more information and applicable prerequisites.