If you have held your Standard First Aid certificate in your wallet or tucked away in your office filing cabinet for some time now, then you’ve probably been hearing lately that the name of the course has been updated. Of course, a very natural follow-up to this is whether or not this change renders your existing certification obsolete.
The answer, quite simply, is no—but there are definitely some things to know, particularly if you are about to renew your certificate or you are the one who makes sure your workplace meets its requirements. So let’s take a closer look at what has happened and what this all means for you the next time you take a course. Here at Heart Starters Inc., we receive questions like this quite often.
What changed on June 22, 2026?
The names of the WSIB-approved first aid courses offered by us in Ontario changed on June 22, 2026, in line with the updated standard CSA Z1210:24. Specifically, this applies to:
- Standard First Aid becoming Intermediate First Aid, CPR, and AED Level C
- Emergency First Aid becoming Basic First Aid, CPR, and AED Level C
This was not a change to the curriculum or course content; this was a name and standard update. Everything that is covered within each level has remained the same, including the practical part and the value that the certification provides.
If you are signing up for a course right now, you will notice this because the new names will be used on our course page instead of the older ones. Nevertheless, the training will provide the same competencies that you need.
Does your existing certificate expire early because of the name change?
No. The expiry date of your certificate will remain the same if you have completed your training and received a certificate prior to June 22, 2026. As per the usual policy of the courses, the expiry date will generally be 3 years from the date of issuance of the certificate.
The renaming of the course does not have any retroactive effect, and it will not make any of the already issued certificates invalid. Your certificate does not require any reissue or relabeling because of the renaming of the course.
What you need to be concerned about is only the timing. Once your certificate is near expiry, you can renew your certification with the new name of the course—Intermediate or Basic First Aid—according to your level of training.
What should you look for when booking your next renewal?
In case it is time to renew, just a small amount of attention to the course name will help you avoid headaches – especially if your workplace needs to know that your training meets the latest standards.
Things to remember:
- Match the old level with the new name. If you had Standard First Aid, you will have to sign up for Intermediate First Aid CPR AED Level C now. If you had Emergency First Aid, then find basic first aid, CPR, and AED Level C.
- Make sure it is WSIB-approved. Not all first aid courses are compliant with workplace safety regulations, so make sure the one you choose is compliant with the latest regulation.
- Contact your employer if you are not sure about the level needed. Some employers need you to have an intermediate level instead of basic, especially in hazardous workplaces.
- Renew on time to avoid gaps in workplace coverage.
- If you are not certain of the course for your position, we can assist you in deciding on the same even before booking.
Do you need to renew or advance your certification? Get in touch to learn about the Intermediate First Aid CPR AED Level C and Basic First Aid CPR AED Level C courses and book your spot.
FAQs
Q1 : Am I required to take the course again as a result of the renaming?
No—certificates valid before June 22, 2026, will remain valid until expiry according to the previous dates.
Q2 : Would my employer accept an old certificate, as it has a different title?
Yes, Intermediate First Aid is fully interchangeable with the previous Standard First Aid, and Basic First Aid is fully interchangeable with the previous Emergency First Aid, as per the new CSA Z1210:24 standard.
Q3 : How can I determine which level I require as a part of my renewal?
This depends on the demands of your place of work/industry. Should you be uncertain whether you required Basic or Intermediate for your previous certificate, it is indicated on your certificate, and/or you can contact us to determine which one you need.
Q4 : Are there any changes in terms of learning content as a result of the course renaming?
There have been no changes as far as the basic principles of first aid, CPR, and AED training go.
Any further questions regarding your certificate or which next course to book? Then get in touch with us at Heart Starters Inc.; we will be happy to assist you with the renewal of your certification.