First aid attendant certification
In B.C., workplace first aid attendants must have a certificate that's recognized by WorkSafeBC. The number and level of first aid attendants required for a workplace depends on several factors, including the number of workers, distance to medical aid, and industry hazard rating.
New first aid requirements come into effect November 1, 2024
Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation relating to occupational first aid will take effect November 1, 2024. These amendments include changes to the names of first aid attendant certificates and, for some workplaces, the level of services required. The following resources are available for more information:
- OHS Guidelines for Part 3 — Occupational First Aid (preliminary draft)
- Backgrounder: Occupational first aid regulatory changes
For employers, see our First aid requirements page to determine if you will need to change the number and levels of first aid attendants at your workplace to meet the new requirements.
- Where to get certified
- Levels of certification
- How to renew your certificate
- First aid attendants from out of province
- First responders working as designated first aid attendants
- Resources
Where to get certified
WorkSafeBC has authorized certain agencies throughout British Columbia to teach occupational first aid training programs acceptable to WorkSafeBC and certify attendants who successfully complete the programs. See our list of approved first aid training providers.
Levels of certification
Changes are coming to training and certification requirements to align with standards set by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). These changes include renaming the current Occupational First Aid (OFA) certificates:
- OFA Level 1 is changing to basic first aid
- OFA Level 2 is changing to intermediate first aid
- OFA Level 3 is changing to advanced first aid
There are no changes to the transportation endorsement certificate.
If you have a valid OFA Level 1, 2, or 3 certificate, you do not need to do anything until it’s time to renew. Starting November 1, 2024, these certificates will be accepted as equivalent to basic, intermediate, and advanced, respectively. You can also talk to your employer to find out if your current certification level will be sufficient after November 1, based on the results of the employer's written first aid assessment.
If you have an OFA Level 2 certificate that expires between July 2 and October 30, 2024:
- Your certificate will be accepted as valid through October 31, 2024. This extension applies only to Level 2 certificates.
- You must successfully complete an intermediate course by October 31, 2024, to work as intermediate attendants beginning November 1, 2024.
Training providers in B.C. have begun to offer basic and intermediate training to meet the new standard, with advanced level training available later this summer.
How to renew your certificate
To renew a basic or intermediate first aid certificate (formerly OFA 1 or 2), or a transportation endorsement, you will need to retake the training course and meet the examination requirements through an approved training provider.
To renew an advanced first aid certificate (formerly OFA Level 3), you can do one of the following:
- Take a 35-hour refresher class.
- Challenge the examination, which is the final 14 hours of the full advanced level training course. To qualify for the exam challenge, your advanced or OFA Level 3 certificate must be valid (not expired), and you must have obtained a CPR/AED certificate within the previous 6 months.
If your certificate has expired you will need to retake the full course and examination.
First aid attendants from out of province
If you hold a valid first aid certificate from another province’s health and safety regulator, you can be issued a certificate that WorkSafeBC will recognize. You must:
- Present yourself to an approved training provider. To register, you will need government-issued photo ID and the first aid certificate you earned outside B.C.
- Complete an application form and the applicable jurisprudence package.
Note: the first aid training agency may charge a fee for processing your application.
First responders working as designated first aid attendants
Emergency Medical Assistant (EMA) licence-holders working as designated first aid attendants
If you are a paramedic, emergency medical responder, or other first responders with a current EMA licence issued by the Emergency Medical Assistants Licensing Board of B.C. (EMALB), you can have your licence recognized as alternative qualifications for first aid attendants. You will need to start by completing a jurisprudence package. You then need to present your completed out-of-jurisdiction jurisprudence package and valid EMALB-issued license, and current government-issued photo ID, to an approved training provider. The training provider will provide the application for certification and issue a certificate at the applicable level.
Paramedics with a licence from another Canadian jurisdiction
If you are a paramedic or other first responder with a current licence from another Canadian jurisdiction, you are eligible for first aid certification in B.C. You will need to apply for and acquire an out-of-jurisdiction Emergency Medical Assistant (EMA) licence at the appropriate level from the EMALB, then complete an application for certification and a jurisprudence package. Bring the completed jurisprudence package to an approved training provider and present your valid EMALB-issued license and current government-issued photo ID. The approved first aid training provider will provide the application for certification and issue a certificate at the appropriate level.
For more information about issuing occupational first aid certification to EMA licencees, email Certification@worksafebc.com or call Certification Services at 604.276.3090.
Resources
Workplace First Aid Training Providers
This is a regularly updated list of training providers (public agencies and in-house training providers) that WorkSafeBC has approved to offer workplace first aid training in B.C.
See First...
Changes to occupational first aid requirements: Frequently asked questions
The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation requirements for first aid in B.C. workplaces are changing on November 1, 2024. This resource answers questions employers may have about these changes so...
Minimum first aid requirements
Employers are responsible for ensuring their workplace has the required first aid equipment, facilities, and attendants to treat injured workers. If you’re an employer, this information will help...
Jurisprudence package for other jurisdictions: Obtaining OFA certification in British Columbia
If you are a certified first aid attendant outside B.C. or an emergency medical assistant (EMA) within B.C., you can be issued a certificate to carry out first aid in B.C. This package includes reading...
Web resources
Training agencies authorized by WorkSafeBC can access training and examination materials by signing in to Certification Services’ First Aid Training Resources site.