Ontario WSIB First Aid Changes 2026: What Students Need to Know
Ontario’s workplace first aid training program is changing in 2026. If you are taking Emergency First Aid, Standard First Aid, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard, or another Lifesaving Society course, you may start seeing new course names such as Basic First Aid and Intermediate First Aid.
The good news is that this does not mean your current certification suddenly becomes invalid. The change is mainly a transition to updated course names, updated curriculum standards, and updated WSIB program requirements.
This article explains what is changing, when the changes take effect, whether your current certificate is still valid, and what you should register for if you need first aid for work, school, volunteering, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard, or another Lifesaving Society course.
Quick Summary: What Is Changing?
The WSIB’s modernized First Aid Program is scheduled to launch on June 22, 2026. As part of the transition, the Lifesaving Society’s first aid courses are being updated to align with the new WSIB program and the Canadian Standards Association first aid training standard, CSA Z1210:24.
The most important things to know
- Emergency First Aid will be replaced by Basic First Aid with CPR-C & AED.
- Standard First Aid will be replaced by Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED.
- The new program launch date is June 22, 2026.
- Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid courses must be completed by June 21, 2026.
- Current Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid certificates will remain valid until their expiry date.
- First aid certificates continue to be valid for 36 months from the date of issue.
- Basic First Aid does not have a separate recertification course. To stay current, students must complete the full Basic First Aid course again.
- Eligible Standard First Aid award holders may be able to complete an Intermediate First Aid Recertification course and earn the new Intermediate First Aid award.
- Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid will continue to be accepted for Lifesaving Society prerequisite purposes where applicable.
When Do the WSIB First Aid Changes Take Effect?
The updated WSIB First Aid Program is expected to launch on June 22, 2026.
According to Lifesaving Society transition information, this is a firm launch date, not a gradual transition period. Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid courses must be completed by June 21, 2026. Courses completed after June 21, 2026 will not be processed by the Society under the old Emergency First Aid or Standard First Aid program.
New Basic First Aid and Intermediate First Aid courses begin on June 22, 2026.
This means students registering near the transition date should pay close attention to the course start date, end date, and certification being offered.
Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid Are Being Renamed
One of the biggest changes is the course naming. The current course names will be replaced by new names that align with the updated WSIB program and CSA terminology.
| Current Course Name | New Course Name | Course Length | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency First Aid | Basic First Aid with CPR-C & AED | 8 hours | Basic workplace, school, volunteer, or prerequisite first aid needs |
| Standard First Aid | Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED | 16 hours | More comprehensive workplace first aid, National Lifeguard prerequisites, and many employment requirements |
The name change does not mean first aid is becoming less important or less formal. The course content is being updated significantly to align with the new first aid training standard.
Is My Current Emergency First Aid or Standard First Aid Still Valid?
Yes. If you already have a valid Emergency First Aid or Standard First Aid certification, it remains valid until the expiry date listed on your certificate.
You do not need to retake your course immediately just because the program names are changing.
Example
If you complete Standard First Aid before the new program launches and your certificate is valid for 36 months, your certificate remains valid until its expiry date. You do not lose your certification on June 22, 2026.
This is especially important for students using first aid for employment, school placement, camp jobs, lifeguarding pathways, or volunteer requirements. The transition does not erase properly issued current certifications.
How Long Are First Aid Certifications Valid?
First aid certifications are valid for 36 months from the date of issue.
This applies to Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid certifications issued before the transition, and it will also apply to the new Basic First Aid and Intermediate First Aid certifications issued after the transition.
How Will Recertification Work After the 2026 Changes?
Recertification is one of the areas where students need to be careful, because the rules are different depending on the course and the student’s current certification.
Basic First Aid Recertification
There is no separate recertification course for Basic First Aid. To remain current, students will need to complete the full Basic First Aid course again every 36 months.
Intermediate First Aid Recertification
Intermediate First Aid awards can be recertified within 36 months of successfully completing a full Intermediate First Aid course.
Intermediate First Aid recertification is an 8-hour course for eligible candidates.
If You Currently Have Standard First Aid
If you currently hold Standard First Aid, your certification remains valid until its expiry date.
If you are eligible for recertification, you may be able to complete an Intermediate First Aid Recertification course and earn the new Intermediate First Aid award.
If you are not eligible for recertification, you should expect to complete the full Intermediate First Aid course.
Important registration reminder
Do not assume that every current Standard First Aid certificate automatically qualifies for an Intermediate First Aid Recertification course. Always check the course description, expiry date rules, and eligibility requirements before registering.
What Does This Mean for Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard, and Other Lifesaving Society Courses?
Many students take first aid because they need it for a Lifesaving Society course such as Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard, or instructor-level training.
There are no prerequisites to take Basic First Aid or Intermediate First Aid. However, first aid is still used as a prerequisite for some Lifesaving Society awards.
During the transition, students should understand the relationship between the old and new first aid names:
| Old First Aid Name | New First Aid Name | General Prerequisite Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency First Aid | Basic First Aid | Emergency First Aid is considered equivalent to Basic First Aid for prerequisite purposes. |
| Standard First Aid | Intermediate First Aid | Intermediate First Aid is considered equivalent to Standard First Aid for prerequisite purposes. |
Bronze Cross
Under the updated program, Basic First Aid will be the first aid prerequisite connected to Bronze Cross. Emergency First Aid will remain an accepted prerequisite.
National Lifeguard
Under the updated program, Intermediate First Aid will be the first aid prerequisite connected to National Lifeguard. Standard First Aid will remain an accepted prerequisite.
| Lifesaving Pathway | Updated First Aid Requirement | Older First Aid Award Still Accepted? |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze Cross | Basic First Aid | Emergency First Aid remains accepted. |
| National Lifeguard | Intermediate First Aid | Standard First Aid remains accepted. |
Lifesaving Society transition information also says that prerequisites do not need to be current. That said, students should still review the specific course page before registering, because employers, schools, placements, and outside organizations may have their own currency requirements.
Can First Aid Be Combined With Lifesaving Courses?
Yes. First aid awards may be offered as stand-alone courses or combined with other lifesaving courses. For example, a student may complete first aid together with Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, or National Lifeguard when the course is designed that way.
Combining first aid with a lifesaving course can allow students to earn both certifications during the same course schedule. It can also affect the total number of instructional hours.
| Combined Course | Suggested Total Instructional Time |
|---|---|
| Basic First Aid + Bronze Medallion | 21 hours |
| Basic First Aid + Bronze Cross | 26 hours |
| Intermediate First Aid + Bronze Cross | 32 hours |
| Intermediate First Aid + National Lifeguard | 52 hours |
If you are registering for a combined course, make sure you understand both certifications included in the course and the total course schedule before registering.
Which First Aid Course Should You Take?
The right course depends on why you need first aid.
Take Basic First Aid if:
- You need the updated equivalent of Emergency First Aid.
- You need first aid for Bronze Cross.
- You need a shorter first aid course for a workplace, school, volunteer, or course requirement.
- Your requirement specifically says Basic First Aid or Emergency First Aid.
Take Intermediate First Aid if:
- You need the updated equivalent of Standard First Aid.
- You need first aid for National Lifeguard.
- Your employer, school, placement, or organization requires Standard First Aid, Intermediate First Aid, or “SFA.”
- You need a more comprehensive workplace first aid certification.
Our practical advice
If your requirement says Standard First Aid, do not register for Basic First Aid unless the organization requesting the certificate confirms that Basic First Aid is acceptable. In most cases, Standard First Aid requirements will connect to Intermediate First Aid after the transition.
Are Course Lengths and Exams Changing?
Lifesaving Society’s transition information says the updated courses will continue to have structured instructional time:
- Basic First Aid: 8 hours
- Intermediate First Aid: 16 hours
Students should also expect the updated program to include attendance, practical skills, and written evaluation requirements.
To successfully complete the course, students must attend the full course, successfully complete the required skills assessment, and meet the written exam requirement.
In other words, this is not just a “show up and receive a certificate” course. Participation, attendance, and skill demonstration matter.
Will Students Need a New First Aid Manual?
Yes. Students taking the new Basic First Aid or Intermediate First Aid courses should make sure they have the correct current edition of the Canadian First Aid Manual.
The Lifesaving Society has stated that a new, fully revised Canadian First Aid Manual is required for candidates in Basic and Intermediate First Aid courses.
If you are taking a course after the transition, check the course registration page carefully to confirm whether the manual is included or must be purchased separately.
How Do I Know If My First Aid Course Is WSIB-Approved?
If you need first aid for work in Ontario, you should make sure your training is delivered by a WSIB-approved provider or through a provider approved under the updated WSIB First Aid Program.
This matters because not every first aid course advertised online will necessarily meet your workplace, school, or placement requirements.
Before registering, check:
- Does the course clearly state which certification you will receive?
- Is the provider approved for the type of first aid training you need?
- Does your employer, school, or organization require Basic First Aid, Intermediate First Aid, Emergency First Aid, or Standard First Aid?
- Does the course include CPR-C and AED if those are required?
- Is the course full certification or recertification?
- If it is a recertification course, are you eligible to register?
What Should Students Do Right Now?
If you already have a valid Emergency First Aid or Standard First Aid certificate, keep a copy of your certification and check the expiry date. You do not need to retake the course early just because the course names are changing.
If you are registering for a course before June 22, 2026, you may still see the current course names: Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid.
If you are registering for a course on or after June 22, 2026, you should expect to see the updated course names: Basic First Aid and Intermediate First Aid.
If you are planning to complete Emergency First Aid or Standard First Aid before the transition, make sure the course is scheduled to be completed by June 21, 2026.
If your course, job, placement, or employer requires first aid, check the exact requirement before registering. When in doubt, choose the course level that matches the requirement, not just the course that is shorter or more convenient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emergency First Aid going away?
The current Emergency First Aid course name is being replaced by Basic First Aid with CPR-C & AED under the updated WSIB program. Existing Emergency First Aid certificates remain valid until their expiry date.
Is Standard First Aid going away?
The current Standard First Aid course name is being replaced by Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED under the updated WSIB program. Existing Standard First Aid certificates remain valid until their expiry date.
When do the WSIB first aid changes take effect?
The updated WSIB First Aid Program launches on June 22, 2026. Emergency First Aid and Standard First Aid courses must be completed by June 21, 2026.
Does my current Standard First Aid certificate become Intermediate First Aid?
Your current Standard First Aid certificate remains valid as Standard First Aid until it expires. Intermediate First Aid is the updated course name under the new program.
Do I need to retake first aid immediately because of the 2026 changes?
No. If your current certificate is valid, it remains valid until its expiry date.
How long is first aid valid for?
First aid certifications are valid for 36 months from the date of issue.
Can I recertify Basic First Aid?
No. Basic First Aid does not have a separate recertification course. Students must complete the full Basic First Aid course again to remain current.
Can I recertify Intermediate First Aid?
Intermediate First Aid awards can be recertified within 36 months of successfully completing a full Intermediate First Aid course.
Can I take Intermediate First Aid Recertification if I currently have Standard First Aid?
Eligible Standard First Aid award holders may be able to complete an 8-hour Intermediate First Aid Recertification course and earn the new Intermediate First Aid award. Students should confirm eligibility before registering.
What first aid do I need for National Lifeguard?
Under the updated program, Intermediate First Aid is the first aid prerequisite connected to National Lifeguard. Standard First Aid will remain an accepted prerequisite.
What first aid do I need for Bronze Cross?
Under the updated program, Basic First Aid is the first aid prerequisite connected to Bronze Cross. Emergency First Aid will remain an accepted prerequisite.
Can first aid be combined with Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, or National Lifeguard?
Yes. First aid may be offered as a stand-alone course or combined with other lifesaving courses. Combined courses have longer total instructional time because students are completing more than one award.
Will students need a new first aid manual?
Students taking the new Basic First Aid or Intermediate First Aid courses should make sure they have the correct current edition of the Canadian First Aid Manual.
Will Lifeguarding Academy update its course pages?
Yes. As the transition approaches, Lifeguarding Academy will update course names, descriptions, and registration information so students can understand which course they are taking and which certification they will receive.
Sources and Further Reading
This article is based on public information from the WSIB and the Lifesaving Society. Students, employers, and candidates should always review the most current course page and certification requirements before registering.
Need Help Choosing the Right First Aid Course?
If you are taking first aid for work, school, volunteering, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard, or another Lifesaving Society course, make sure you register for the level that matches your requirement.
If your requirement says Standard First Aid, you will usually want the course that corresponds to Intermediate First Aid after the transition. If your requirement says Emergency First Aid, you will usually want the course that corresponds to Basic First Aid after the transition.
Visit our course registration page to view upcoming first aid, lifesaving, and lifeguarding courses.
Last updated: May 26, 2026
