The majority of people that take first aid and CPR courses are taking them because they are required to have a valid first-aid certificate. Obtaining a first aid or CPR certificate can be confusing and difficult. This website hopes to add clarity as to how to obtain certification that meets government standards and legislative standards.
Selecting the Right Provider:
It is important to select the right provider when registering for a first aid course. Certificates obtained through online courses and questionable providers will likely not meet government regulations and legislative standards. Canadians have the option of selecting from a number of providers, however, 4 providers stand out as the largest. The following 4 providers offer over 95% of first aid and CPR certification courses in Canada:
- St Mark James Training
- The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
- Vancouver First Aid Ltd.
- St. Johns Ambulance
Certificates received from these providers will be nationally accredited and valid throughout Canada. Certificates are valid for 3 years, however, candidates may be required to renew certification at an earlier date. The majority of the providers mentioned above offer first aid and CPR re-certification courses (register here) that provide candidates with certificates that are of equal value as a full course certificate at half the time and almost half the cost.
Types of First Aid Certificates:
Upon completion of any first aid or CPR, course candidates will receive either a temporary or permanent certificate. The Lifesaving Society’s training providers offer candidates temporary first aid certificates that are valid for 3 months and within that time period candidates will be mailed a full certificate to be valid for 3 years after the course date. All of the other major providers provide candidates with the full 3-year certificate directly upon completion of the course. Two types of certificates are awarded to candidates. The most common certificate is a wallet-sized card. The wallet-sized card is normally the licensing certificate. Candidates sometimes receive and can opt for a wall-mount certificate. Some providers offer both certificates to candidates upon course completion for an extra cost. More information.
CPR Certificates:
All first aid courses provided through the 4 major providers include certification and training in CPR. Candidates will typically have the option of selecting the level of CPR certification accompanied by the first aid course.
More Information:
For more information select one of the highlighted words to bring you to one of our provider pages, CPR certification pages, First Aid certification pages, or course location pages. View our main menu for more information about providers and basic first aid and CPR courses offered by the providers including re-certification courses. Get your first aid certificate today and give your resume a boost and learn the skills to save a life.