First Aid at Work Certificate

The First Aid at Work Certificate allows the holder to legally provide first aid treatment in the United Kingdom.

LICENCE Name

First Aid at Work (FAW)

TIME TO GET LICENCED 3 days
VALID FOR 3 years
ELIGIBILITY 16+ years
QUALIFICATION(S) NEEDED FAW Training Course
STEPS TO GET LICENSED
Get Licenced

What is the First Aid at Work Certificate?

The First Aid at Work Certificate, also known as FAW, enables you to provide emergency treatment in the event of an individual injuring themselves or falling ill.

The Certificate shows that you have completed extensive First Aid Training and are able to operate associated equipment like a defibrillator.

The FAW Certificate is valid for 3 years and is issued by your First Aid training provider. As a Certified First Aider, you will have the necessary skills and knowledge to respond effectively to emergencies both in the workplace and beyond.

Do I need a First Aid at Work Certificate?

First Aid Training gives the holder valuable skills that can make a huge difference in emergencies. A First Aiders intervention can boost recovery and even save lives!

In the workplace, however, it is an employer's responsibility, as per the Health and Safety Regulations of 1981, to ensure that employees have access to "adequate" first aid treatment. Therefore, having Certified First Aiders can satisfy this criteria and make a workplace safer for everyone. In some circumstances, having holders of the First Aid at Work Certificate is a legal requirement. This is determined by the risk factor of the workplace and is outlined in an employer's HSE risk assessment.

There are also different types of first aid training depending on your working environment, i.e. where you work and who you work with. For example, if you work in an environment with children, you require the Pediatric First Aid Certificate.

Employers Note

 It is your legal responsibility to provide first aid care to injured or unwell staff (as per the Health and Safety Regulations of 1981).

Eligibility

To be eligible for a First Aid at Work Certificate, you need to be at least 16 years old and have completed the 3-day FAW training course.

How to get the First Aid at Work Certificate

To get your FAW Certificate, you need to complete the required training. 

Complete the FAW Training Course  

The training course runs over 3 days and you will be assessed on your knowledge. This can vary depending on your training provider.

First Aid at Work Training Course

To obtain the First Aid At Work Certificate and become a Certified First Aider at your workplace, you need to complete the FAW Training Course. It takes 3 days and involves a mix of theory and practical work. Some of the areas covered include:

  • Managing an emergency and when to contact emergency services
  • Health and safety (First Aid) regulations
  • Communication and casualty care
  • Head injuries
  • Poisoning
  • Bleeding (minor and severe)
  • Resuscitation (adult CPR)
  • Seizures (adult)
  • Burns and scalds
  • Severe allergic reaction
  • Chest pains (including heart attack)
  • Shock

Your knowledge will be assessed at various points on the course through written exams. How these are set varies between training providers. There will also be on-going practical assessments which require your consistent involvement in the FAW Training. 

Cost of the First Aid at Work Certificate

The First Aid at Work Certificate comes as part of the FAW Training Course. This means that there is no additional cost to obtain the certificate, as the price is already factored into the training cost.

Certificate Renewal

To renew your First Aid at Work Certificate once it has expired after 3 years, you will need to take Refresher training. FAW Refresher Training takes 2 days (as opposed to the 3 days required for the original FAW Training Course). Refresher Training is an important part of keeping your skills current and to make sure that you are aware of new techniques and advancements that will help with providing more effective treatment.

Since your renewed First Aid at Work Certificate is part of the Refresher Training Course, its cost is factored into the price of the extra training. 

FAQs

To become a Certified First Aider, you need to attend the 3-day First Aid at Work Training Course, as well as passing the attached assessments. You will receive your FAW Certificate upon completing the course.
Since you receive your First Aid at Work Certificate after your training course, it does not cost anything additional.
Your First Aid at Work Certificate expires 3 years from the date you completed your training. 
To renew your First Aid at Work Certificate, you will need to complete the 2-day refresher training. This is so your skills and knowledge are up to date to enable you to provide the best treatment.
FAW Refresher Training is 2 days long and is required to renew your First Aid at Work Certificate. It will cover any advancements in procedures and technology, ensuring that those who receive it are completely informed. 
To be eligible for an FAW Certificate, you need to be at least 16 years old. Some training providers may also require a certain level of English ability. 
First Aid At Work (FAW) takes 3 days and extensively covers how to provide treatment in various emergency situations such as head injuries, asthma attacks or seizures. The training consists of important theory followed by practical work where you will use dummies and other equipment. Some of the things you will learn include how to control bleeding, treat burns and administer CPR.
The three most popular first aid training courses are First Aid At Work (1-day), First Aid At Work (3-days) and Paediatric First Aid (2-days). What training you choose depends on the environment that you work in and who you work with. For example, if you work in a high risk environment, like a construction site, you will require the 3-day First Aid At Work training. In the same way, if you work with children, you will need the pediatric first aid. It is best to speak with your employer to identify the kind of training required.
Depending on your employer and where you work, it could be a legal requirement. Some factors which are part of this include the risk assessment and size of the workforce.
The First Aid at Work Training Course is assessed during the class and has a written assessment which can vary between training providers. As long as you follow what is being taught and are able to demonstrate what you have learnt, you will be fine. 
Unfortunately this not possible as government legislation states that First Aid Training can only be delivered in person.
Employers value First Aid training very highly and it can help you stand out as a candidate. It is also a useful skill that can save lives. In some cases, First Aid Training is a legal requirement for certain employers. Therefore, already having the training automatically makes you a stronger candidate.
First aid training makes you more employable as many businesses look for certified candidates. It is also a useful skill for everyday life. For some employers, it is a legal requirement to have Certified First Aiders available.
The regulation states that it is the employer’s responsibility to provide sufficient first aid support to injured or unwell staff. This includes having enough trained First Aiders and access to necessary equipment to treat affected employees.