Popular Questions
Can I get a copy of my certificate?
Yes. If your course was booked by your employer, then they can request a duplicate copy of your certificate on your behalf. If you have since left that company, your previous employer would still need to be them that requests a copy for you.
If you require a duplicate postal copy of a certificate that has already been sent out, there will be a charge of £20.00+VAT.
Why are there cameras in your training rooms?
We use cameras in our training room to film during our courses as part of our ongoing quality assurance. This is not used for assessing delegates and will not impact on your results.
The trainer will let you know if the recording is taking place, and you will have the opportunity to raise any concerns.
Once the quality assurance process has been completed the recordings are deleted.
Course Bookings
Can I make a booking?
To make a booking you can find a course at a suitable time and location using our Course search tool, and by making a card payment online.
How much is the course?
Each course is priced dependent on its location. To see the course price use the Course search tool to select a location for taking the course and this will then display the price.
Where can I do the course?
Courses are held in a number of locations across England. To find a location near to you use our Course search tool.
Do you accept card payments?
Yes we accept payments from most major card vendors.
Can I have an invoice?
Yes. Please contact our Workplace Training team to request a copy of your invoice.
How do I book?
To book a course use our Course search tool to select the course and location you want. You can then add this to your basket and make a payment online to reserve your place.
Course Amendments
Can I change the course date?
Please contact us on 0344 770 4800 or workplace-training@sja.org.uk if you wish to transfer your booking to another individual or training course.
Please note: Transfers may be subject to a transfer fee. Delegate name changes are free of charge.
How do I cancel a booked course?
Please call customer services on 0344 770 4800 or email us at workplace-training@sja.org.uk. Please provide your name, address, details of the booking and, where available, your phone number and email address.
Please note cancellations may be subject to a cancellation fee.
What if I arrive late at my course?
Due to regulatory requirements for minimum training contact hours, any student who arrives more than 15 minutes late on a 4 hour course, or more than 35 minutes late on any course, or part of a course of a longer duration, cannot complete the course.
Why do you charge cancellation fees?
Our transfer and cancellation fees are in place to protect the charity. We are a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation and funds raised through commercial bookings help support our charitable and community work.
Course Information
How often should I do first aid training?
A First Aid at Work or Emergency First Aid at Work certificate is only valid for 3 years. You need to complete either a requalification in First Aid at Work or redo the Emergency First Aid at Work before your certificate expires to continue to fulfil the role of a first aider in the workplace.
Although a certificate is valid for three years, studies have shown that the quality of first aid skills can deteriorate after 6 months. This is called skills fade. The HSE strongly recommends that first aiders complete an annual refresher of their first aid skills.
Which course should I take?
We have a number of calculators and guides to help you decide which course is best for you.
What is the difference between a first aider and an appointed person?
An appointed person is expected to take charge of the first aid arrangements which includes looking after first aid equipment such as ensuring the first aid kit is regularly replenished and calling the emergency services if an incident occurs.
They are not expected nor are they trained to provide first aid. Appointed persons are only appropriate for very small low risk workplaces where their risk assessment has identified that a first aiders is not required. A first aider is trained and assessed to be competent to provide first aid if a first aid incident occurs.
Can you fail a first aid at work course?
Before you can fulfil the role of a first aider in the workplace, you need to evidence that you have both the knowledge and are competent to manage a variety of first aid incidents. If you are unable to prove on a first aid at work course that you have sufficient knowledge and are competent to manage a variety of first aid incidents, you will not be allowed to complete the course and be awarded a certificate.
Which Course?
What is blended training?
Blended training comprises a combination of online training and face-to-face training. You must complete both parts of the training in order to be fully qualified.
We have a range of blended courses including our First Aid at Work, Emergency First Aid at Work and Paediatric First Aid courses
What is the difference between first aid at work and emergency first aid at work?
The number of first aiders needed is determined by a combination of the number of people you employ the level of hazard that your operations present, the layout and size of your workplace and work patterns such as shifts. The number differs from employer to employer and a thorough risk assessment is required to determine what is appropriate for your operation.
As a rule of thumb, if you operate at a higher hazard, you should have 1 first aider with a first aid at work certificate for every 50 people employed on site at all times. For lower hazard employers, it is 1 first aider for the first 25 people employed on site at all times, then 1 extra for every 100 people employed.
he first aid at work course is most appropriate for employers who, based on their risk assessment, operate with a higher degree of hazard or for larger employers who, based on their risk assessment, operate with a lower degree of hazard.
The first aid at work course also covers more first aid techniques than the emergency first aid at work and if an employer’s risk assessments identifies that employees are at specific risk for example fractures, burns or anaphylactic shock they should train their first aiders in this first aid at work course.
Requalification and Certification
What if my 1-day certificate has expired?
If a delegate’s 1-day (Emergency First Aid at Work) course certificate is due to or has expired, the delegate simply attends an Emergency First Aid at Work (1-day) course again to receive a new St John Ambulance certificate that is valid for a further three years.
My certificate has expired, can I still take the 2-day Requalification course?
Yes, delegates can take the 2-day Requalification course even if their original certificate has expired. It is best practice for delegates to renew their certificates before their current one runs out so that their First Aider status is still valid, but if that is not practical then as long as they can prove they’ve trained previously, they can attend the 2-day requalification.
If there is a significant period since their previous certificate expired, we would always advise that the full 3-day course is undertaken again.
How do I request a copy of my certificate?
Yes. If your course was booked by your employer, then they can request a duplicate copy of your certificate on your behalf. If you have since left that company, your previous employer would still need to be them that requests a copy for you.
If you require a duplicate postal copy of a certificate that has already been sent out, there will be a charge of £20.00+VAT.
How do I check if my first aid certificate is still in date?
Check the expiry date on the certificate issued on your training course. If you cannot find your certificate please contact our Workplace Training team for assistance - workplace-training@sja.org.uk.
We will send an email reminder before your certificate expires so please check your emails.
How long does first aid at work certificate last for?
A First aid at work certificate lasts for three years. This means that the person can fulfil the role of a workplace first aider for those three years. Once a certificate expires a person cannot fulfil the role of a workplace first aider and an employer may not be providing the necessary first aid provision that their risk assessment identifies.
Although a certificate is valid for three years, studies have shown that the quality of first aid skills can deteriorate after 6 months. This is called skills fade. The HSE strongly recommends that first aiders complete an annual refresher of their first aid skills.
Venue Information
Where do you run training courses?
We offer training courses across England in a variety of venues. View the list of training venues here.
Do you have parking at the venues?
Each venue has different facilities available and you would need to check the venue details. View our list of training venues here.
Does your venue have disabled access / car park / bike rack?
Please check the facilities listed on the venue page. View our list of training venues here.
Onsite Training
Do you offer onsite training?
We offer in-house and on-site first aid and health and safety training at your premises, workplace, school or community group.
You can read more about the offering and requirements here.
Are there minimum requirements to the room size?
Your training room needs to be of adequate size for the training you have requested. This means a floor space the size of a double bed should be available for each pair of delegates in attendance, there should be enough room for half the delegates to lay down and roll over on the floor. Chairs should be available for all delegates/trainer and large furniture removed to provide adequate floor space – this includes board room tables, this is to complete any practical elements necessary.You can read more on our On Site training here.
