First Aid Course Changes 2026: What Students Need to Know
First Aid courses are changing in 2026. Students may start seeing new course names such as Basic First Aid & CPR-C and Intermediate First Aid & CPR-C instead of the older Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid names.
The good news is that this does not mean your current certification suddenly becomes invalid. The changes mainly affect course names, course materials, recertification pathways, instructor requirements, and which version of the course you will receive depending on your course date.
This article explains what is changing, what it means if you are taking a course before the transition date, and what it means if you are registering for a course after the transition.
Quick Summary: What Is Changing?
The most important things students need to know
- Emergency First Aid with CPR-B is being changed to Basic First Aid & CPR-C.
- Standard First Aid with CPR-C is being changed to Intermediate First Aid & CPR-C.
- CPR-B certification is being retired.
- Students with a current Standard First Aid certification may be able to take Intermediate First Aid Recertification, as long as their certification is current (not expired).
- Emergency First Aid Instructor certification is being retired and will no longer be offered combined with the Lifesaving Instructor certification.
- A First Aid Instructor update course is expected to be released to allow Emergency First Aid instructors to be able to teach the new Intermediate First Aid curriculum.
- New First Aid Instructor candidates must be at least 18 years old.
- New participant materials, and books are being introduced.
- Old books and the Canadian Lifesaving Manual can not be used for the new First Aid programs.
Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid Are Being Renamed
One of the biggest changes for students is the course naming. The older course names are being replaced with new names.
| Old Course Name | New Course Name | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency First Aid with CPR-B | Basic First Aid & CPR-C | This is the updated version of Emergency First Aid. |
| Standard First Aid with CPR-C | Intermediate First Aid & CPR-C | This is the updated version of Standard First Aid. |
The course name change does not mean your current certification is useless. If your certification was issued before June 22, 2026, it remains valid until its normal expiry date.
What If I Am Taking a Course Before June 21, 2026?
If your course takes place before the transition, you should expect to complete the current version of the course.
That means:
- If you registered for Emergency First Aid with CPR-B, you should receive Emergency First Aid with CPR-B.
- If you registered for Standard First Aid with CPR-C, you should receive Standard First Aid with CPR-C.
Your certification does not become invalid just because the new course changes are being introduced.
Example
If you complete Standard First Aid before the transition and your certificate is still current, you can continue using that certification until it expires.
What If I Am Registering for a Course After June 21, 2026?
If you are registering for a course after the transition, you should expect to see the new course names and updated course materials.
| If You Previously Needed | You Should Look For |
|---|---|
| Emergency First Aid | Basic First Aid & CPR-C |
| Standard First Aid | Intermediate First Aid & CPR-C |
If your school, employer, placement, or volunteer organization asks for Standard First Aid, you should usually look for Intermediate First Aid & CPR-C after the transition.
If your requirement says Emergency First Aid, you should usually look for Basic First Aid & CPR-C after the transition.
New Intermediate First Aid Recertification Prerequisites
Intermediate First Aid Recertification is also changing.
Students may be able to take Intermediate First Aid Recertification if they currently hold a valid:
- Intermediate First Aid certification; or
- Standard First Aid certification, as long as it is still current.
This means students who currently have Standard First Aid do not need to take the full Intermediate First Aid course when renewing, as long as they meet the recertification requirements.
Do not guess your eligibility
Before registering for Intermediate First Aid Recertification, check that your current certification has not expired and was from a full course. You can not recertify an already-recertified certification.
First Aid Instructor Changes
There are also changes for students planning to become First Aid Instructors.
Emergency First Aid Instructor is not longer included in the Lifesaving Instructor course.
Previously, students automatically recieved the Emergency First Aid Instructor certification after completing the Lifesaving Instructor course. This is no longer the case. To teach first aid, you will now need to take the First Aid Instructor course.
Lifesaving Society is planning to introduce a First Aid Update Cours to enable candidates who currently hold the now-depreciated Emergency First Aid Instructor to upgrade their certification.
First Aid Instructors Must Be at Least 18 Years Old
New First Aid Instructor candidates must now be at least 18 years of age. Emergency First Aid instructors who are under 18 years of age are welcome to complete the First Aid Update Course prior to turning 18 but will not be eligible to complete the transition process or teach or examine First Aid courses until the age requirement is met.
New Temporary Cards, Books, and Course Materials
New temporary cards, books, and course materials are being introduced with the updated First Aid programs.
Students taking the new First Aid courses should expect to use the new materials that match the updated program.
Important material changes
- New First Aid books and course materials are being introduced.
- Old First Aid books cannot be used for the new courses.
- The Canadian Lifesaving Manual cannot be used as the student manual for the new First Aid courses.
If you are registering after the transition, check your course details carefully so you know whether the required manual is included or whether you need to purchase it separately.
What Should Students Do Right Now?
If you already have a current Emergency First Aid or Standard First Aid certification, keep a copy of your certificate and check the expiry date. You do not need to retake the course early just because the course names are changing.
If you are taking a course before the transition, confirm which certification you are receiving.
If you are registering after the transition, look for the new course names:
- Basic First Aid & CPR-C if you need the updated Emergency First Aid equivalent.
- Intermediate First Aid & CPR-C if you need the updated Standard First Aid equivalent.
If you are taking First Aid for work, school, placement, volunteering, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard, or instructor training, make sure the course you choose matches your requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emergency First Aid going away?
The current Emergency First Aid with CPR-B course is being changed to Basic First Aid & CPR-C. Existing Emergency First Aid certifications remain valid until their expiry date.
Is Standard First Aid going away?
The current Standard First Aid with CPR-C course is being changed to Intermediate First Aid & CPR-C. Existing Standard First Aid certifications remain valid until their expiry date.
Does my current certificate become invalid?
No. If your certification is current, it remains valid until its expiry date.
What should I register for if I need Standard First Aid?
After the transition, you should register for Intermediate First Aid & CPR-C if your requirement says Standard First Aid.
What should I register for if I need Emergency First Aid?
After the transition, you should register for Basic First Aid & CPR-C if your requirement says Emergency First Aid.
Can I take Intermediate First Aid Recertification if I have Standard First Aid?
Yes, students with current Standard First Aid may be able to take Intermediate First Aid Recertification, as long as they meet the recertification requirements.
Can I still become an Emergency First Aid Instructor through Lifesaving Instructor?
No. The previous Emergency First Aid Instructor pathway through Lifesaving Instructor is being removed. An update course is expected to be released for candidates who hold the now-depreciated Emergency First Aid Instructor certification.
How old do I need to be to become a First Aid Instructor?
New First Aid Instructor candidates must be at least 18 years old.
Can I use my old First Aid book?
No. Students taking the new First Aid programs should use the new required course materials. Old books and the Canadian Lifesaving Manual should not be used for the new First Aid courses.
Need Help Choosing the Right First Aid Course?
If you are taking First Aid for work, school, volunteering, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard, or instructor training, make sure you register for the course that matches your requirement.
If your requirement says Standard First Aid, you will want Intermediate First Aid & CPR-C after the transition.
If your requirement says Emergency First Aid, you will want Basic First Aid & CPR-C after the transition.
Visit our course registration page to view upcoming First Aid, lifesaving, and lifeguarding courses.
Last updated: June 10, 2026
