How Long Do First Aid Courses Last? Course Lengths and Renewals
Updated 26 October 2026 · 3 min read · Amber Training
Reviewed for accuracy by a qualified Amber Training first aid trainer.
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) takes one day (at least six hours of training). First Aid at Work (FAW) takes three days (at least 18 hours). Renewing a First Aid at Work certificate takes two days, renewing Emergency First Aid at Work means retaking the one-day course, and HSE's recommended annual refresher takes around half a day. Workplace certificates last three years.
Here is each in a little more detail, with what that time actually buys you.
At a glance
- Emergency First Aid at Work: 1 day, minimum 6 hours, certificate valid 3 years
- First Aid at Work: 3 days, minimum 18 hours, certificate valid 3 years
- First Aid at Work requalification: 2 days, ideally before the certificate expires (also open to certificates expired by up to a month; after three months, the full three-day course)
- Emergency First Aid at Work renewal: retake the 1-day course before expiry
- Annual refresher: around half a day, strongly recommended by HSE (not a legal requirement)
Emergency First Aid at Work: one day
A single working day covers the emergencies that matter most in the first minutes: CPR and defibrillator use, the recovery position, choking, bleeding, shock, seizures and minor injuries. It suits most lower-risk workplaces, and because it fits in one day, it is the easiest to schedule. See what the one-day course covers.
First Aid at Work: three days
The full qualification adds fractures, head and spinal injuries, chest and eye injuries, poisoning, anaphylaxis and major illnesses. Higher-risk and larger workplaces usually need it. The three days are normally consecutive; when we run the course on site we fit them around your working week. See what the three-day course covers.
Renewal and refreshers
Both certificates last three years. The practical rule is to book renewal a couple of months before expiry: that avoids any gap in cover. First Aid at Work holders can take the shorter two-day requalification; it is also open to certificates expired by up to a month, it is the employer's decision between one and three months, and after three months the full three days are needed. In between, HSE strongly recommends a short annual refresher (typically half a day), because CPR and other hands-on skills fade quickly without practice. See certificate renewal and our First Aid at Work Requalification course.
Paediatric first aid
Early years settings follow a different standard: the EYFS requires a full 12-hour paediatric first aid course, usually delivered over two days. See first aid for nurseries.
Making the time work for your team
The biggest time cost is often not the course but the travel: a day at a public venue can mean a long commute each way. In-house training removes that entirely. We come to your premises, start when suits you, and train up to 12 staff together, so with Emergency First Aid at Work a whole team is covered in one day.
We deliver Emergency First Aid at Work (£645 per session) and First Aid at Work (£1,595 per session) anywhere in England, all-inclusive. Book training. No payment until your booking is confirmed. Confirmation by email within one working day.
Frequently asked questions
How long does first aid training take?
Emergency First Aid at Work takes one day, with at least six hours of training. First Aid at Work takes three days, with at least 18 hours. Renewing a First Aid at Work certificate takes two days, and an annual refresher takes around half a day.
How many hours is an Emergency First Aid at Work course?
At least six hours of training, delivered in a single day in line with HSE guidance.
How long does a first aid certificate last?
Emergency First Aid at Work and First Aid at Work certificates are valid for three years. Renew before the expiry date so there is no gap in cover: the one-day course is renewed by retaking it, and the three-day course with the two-day requalification.
How long does First Aid at Work last?
The course takes three days (18 hours of teaching). The certificate is valid for three years and is renewed with a two-day requalification, ideally before it expires.
Can first aid training be done in a day?
Yes. Emergency First Aid at Work is a one-day course, which is why it is the most common choice for offices, shops and hospitality. The fuller First Aid at Work qualification needs three days.
Book Emergency First Aid at Work for your team
Emergency First Aid at Work: 1 day at your venue, £645 per session for up to 12 staff, including trainer, equipment, certificates and travel.
Ofqual-regulated certificates. No payment until your booking is confirmed. Confirmation by email within one working day. Private sessions for your team, not public courses.