Update as of June 22, 2026: The new program is now live!
Today's the day! The new WSIB Workplace First Aid program is live.
This means that approved Affiliates can begin to offer the new Basic and Intermediate courses and use the new materials and resources now available.
Update as of June 12, 2026: First Aid Update Course is open
Our online First Aid Update Course is now open! This course walks Standard First Aid Instructors/Examiners/Trainers through the program changes and course content changes. By registering for this course, you’ll be shipped the new course materials and get access to the online learning platform. These materials are helpful in completing the course and are required for teaching the new program. Register for the course here.
Important Course Info
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You must have a Lifesaving Society account and log-in connected to your member ID to take the course.
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The course will take approximately 2 hours to complete at a self-guided pace.
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Successful completion of the course will appear in the non-certification section of your Find a Member record immediately.
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While anyone may take the course, only current Standard First Aid Instructors, Examiners and/or Trainers who are 18 years of age or older and successfully complete the course will be certified to deliver the new Basic and Intermediate First Aid courses and related leadership courses beginning June 22.
Note for Emergency First Aid Instructors
Emergency First Aid Instructors who wish to teach the new Basic and Intermediate First Aid courses must:
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Successfully complete the First Aid Update Course and the Emergency First Aid Instructor Transition Course (coming soon) or take a First Aid Instructor Course
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Hold either a Standard or Intermediate First Aid certification
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Be 18 years of age or older.
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Take the Examiner course (if not already done)
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Successfully apprentice on an Intermediate First Aid course to become a First Aid Examiner who can certify Basic and Intermediate candidates.
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.
On this page
First Aid Program Transition Resources
Lifesaving Society approved as Training Provider for new WSIB First Aid program
This year, the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) required all current WSIB training providers to update their first aid programs and engage in a reapplication process to maintain status as an approved first aid training provider.
The Society is pleased to share that we remain a WSIB approved first aid training provider, following a comprehensive application and vetting process. The new first aid program meets the CSA Z1210:24 First Aid Training for the Workplace – Curriculum and Quality Management for Training Agencies criteria and involves changes to curriculum, training materials and some existing procedures. WSIB has announced approved training providers will need to implement the new program on June 22, 2026.
New First Aid Program Overview
Why are Ontario’s first aid programs being updated?
The WSIB website states: “We’re updating our First Aid Program to help create safer workplaces and ensure Ontario is up to date with current Canadian first aid standards. Our updated workplace First Aid Program is expected to launch in the summer of 2026 and will include:
- a new training approach that is in line with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Z1210:24, First aid training for the workplace — Curriculum and quality management for training agencies
- a refreshed network of training providers approved to deliver training under the updated First Aid Program, with both existing and new providers
As of June 22, 2026, only WSIB-approved training providers may deliver the new workplace first aid certifications: Basic First Aid (formerly Emergency) and Intermediate First Aid (formerly Standard). Visit the WSIB website for more information.
Who is impacted?
Society’s Affiliates, First Aid Instructors, Examiners and Trainers who wish to continue delivering first aid courses following the launch of the new program.
What type of changes are there?
Implementation of the new program includes:
- Competency-based changes to the curriculum
- Changes to course names and retirement of some courses and certifications
- New required instructional and leadership materials
- New quality assurance measures
- Updates to procedures and requirements for Affiliates, including new First Aid License Agreement
When does the new program launch?
The new program launched June 22, 2026. We recognize that, unlike other program revisions, the speed and implementation of this new program are truly unprecedented. The Society is committed to working closely with affiliates, instructors, examiners, trainers and candidates to support the transition to the new program.
Timeline overview
The Society is working with WSIB to ensure all new program requirements are met and implemented appropriately.
Key Dates:
January 2026 – The Society submitted its application to WSIB to become an approved training provider of the new program.
March 2026 – The Society received confirmation of our successful application at the end of March 2026.
June 12, 2026 - The Society's First Aid Update course opens.
June 22, 2026 – The new first aid program launched to the public.
Where can I get more information?
For questions about the WSIB program changes, you can visit their website and read their FAQs.
Affiliates:
First Aid License Agreements
FirstAidTransition@lifeguarding.com
Instructors, examiners, trainers and candidates:
FirstAid@lifeguarding.com
courses and Certifications Changes
In addition to the new courses, the update will result in minor changes other first aid courses such as CPR-C as well as Leadership awards. For details on courses and certification updates, please read the What's New document and First Aid Programming Information Guide.
First Aid Instructor, Examiner and Trainer Updates
First Aid Instructors teach Basic and Intermediate First Aid candidates. First Aid Examiners examine Basic and Intermediate candidates. First Aid Trainers train First Aid Instructors.
First Aid Update Course
The First Aid Update Course is offered online at e-lifesaving.ca and take approximately two hours to complete. All instructors and examiners must successfully complete a First Aid Update Course before teaching or examining the new program. All Trainers must successfully complete an update before conducting any First Aid Instructor courses.
The total course registration fee of $102.62, includes the purchase and shipping of a First Aid Transition Pack (Canadian First Aid Manual, First Aid Award Guide, Teaching First Aid Resource). Registration is now open.
New First Aid Instructor Prerequisites
All current Standard First Aid Instructors/examiners must be 18 years of age and have completed a First Aid Update Course in order to teach/examine Basic or Intermediate First Aid.
Current instructors who are under 18 years of age, can attend a First Aid Update Course, but won’t be eligible to teach or examine courses until they are 18 years of age. Affected instructors and examiners will receive direct communications from the Society.
Emergency First Aid Instructor Award Retirement
The Society’s Emergency First Aid Instructor award retirement will coincide with the launch date of the new program. Until the new program launches, currently certified Emergency First Aid Instructors can certify Emergency First Aid candidates. Emergency First Aid Instructors who want to teach the new Basic and Intermediate First Aid courses must successfully complete the First Aid Instructor Update Course, meet the First Aid Instructor prerequisites and complete other award transition requirements (details coming soon).
Leadership Recertification
Leadership recertification points earned by taking, teaching or examining an Emergency or Standard First Aid course during an instructor’s/examiner’s recertification period can be used to recertify awards.
New First Aid Instructor/Examiner certification cards will be issued at the time of recertification, not upon successful completion of the First Aid Update Course.
New First Aid Resources and Literature
New course materials will be required for candidates, instructors, examiner and trainers. Previous materials were retired upon launch. It is the responsibility of the affiliate, instructor, examiner, trainer or candidate to ensure they have the appropriate course materials.
The purchase of new materials is included for instructors, examiners and trainers when they register for the First Aid Update Course. Test sheets, the Leadership Master Sheet, the Program Guide, and similar materials will remain available for download at LifesavingSociety.com.
New Candidate Resources
Canadian First Aid Manual: A new, fully revised edition of the Canadian First Aid Manual is required for all candidates on Basic and Intermediate First Aid courses. Ensure you have the correct edition.
New Instructor Resources
All instructor, examiner and trainer resources available on LifeguardDepot.com
- NEW First Aid Award Guide – features significant updates to curriculum and evaluation criteria.
- First Aid Instructor Pack – new pack includes: Canadian First Aid Manual, First Aid Award Guide, Teaching First Aid USB.
- First Aid Instructor Transition Pack – a special, limited time offer for instructors, examiners and trainers who register for the First Aid Update Course (pack include Canadian First Aid Manual).
- Teaching First Aid USB – this resource includes: lessons plans, instructional slide presentations and videos, the new Course Guide for Workplace First Aid, first aid tests. These materials are required for use by all instructors of the new first aid program.
Test Sheets
New test sheets for Basic and Intermediate First Aid courses are available on the Society’s website under Find a Form.
- Emergency or Standard First Aid test sheets will no longer be processed by the Society. All courses after June 22, 2026 must be conducted with the new curriculum, materials and test sheets.
Insurance Requirements
As part of the new requirements to deliver first aid in Ontario, all Affliates wishing to hold a first aid license will be required to meet specific insurance requirements. Full insurance details are listed in the First Aid License Agreement and a summary is available in the First Aid: What's New for Affiliates document.
The Society is pleased to recommend McFarlan Rowlands Safety Instructors Program as an option for insurance. Affiliates must work directly with McFarlan Rowlands or another insurance provider to secure their insurance, the Society is not providing insurance to Affiliates at this time.