On this page
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 currently estimates that approved training providers will need to implement the new program in the summer of 2026.
The Society will issue all necessary program materials, affiliate license agreements and communications to prepare affiliates, instructors, examiners, trainers and members with all the information needed to successfully implement the new program. We will update this webpage with new information as it is available and will email:
- Affiliates who have selected information on first aid licenses through the Affiliate Renewal process,
- Current First Aid Instructors, Examiners and Trainers, and
- Current award holders with information that is relevant to them.
Please ensure your contact information with the Society is up to date.
What you can expect from us
- Frequent communication, as decisions are finalized and information is available it will be shared.
- Comprehensive information on the impacts to affiliates, instructors, examiners, trainers and candidates.
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
All current first aid requirements and WSIB-approved training providers remain in place until the launch of the updated program. When the program launches, 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 can you expect?
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?
WSIB anticipates a launch in the summer of 2026, a firm date is not currently available. Once a firm date is set by WSIB, the Society will inform Affiliates and First Aid Instructors, Examiners and Trainers. 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.
Summer 2026 – The new first aid program is expected to launch to the public.
How will the new program be rolled out?
The Society developed all new course materials to meet the requirements of the new program curriculum. These materials were approved by WSIB in late March, the Society is now working through production and printing to have materials ready for the anticipated summer 2026 launch.
An online First Aid Instructor Update Course will be required for all First Aid Instructors, Examiners and Trainers, to prepare them to deliver the new program upon launch. Information on the new program requirements specific to affiliates, instructors, examiners, trainers and candidates will be provided as early as possible.
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.
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 will be offered online, taking 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. More details coming soon.
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 will be 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. All materials will be available for purchase on LifegaurdDepot.com as soon as possible. Test sheets, the Leadership Master Sheet, the Program Guide, and similar materials will remain available for download at LifesavingSociety.com.
Affiliates, instructors, examiners and trainers will be notified by email when new materials are available for purchase or posted online.
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 will be 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 will be available on the Society’s website under Find a Form.
- Emergency or Standard First Aid test sheets can only be used for courses ending before the launch date. All courses after the launch date must be conducted with the new curriculum, materials and test sheets.
Insurance requirements
The Society worked with Cowan Insurance to support affiliates and instructors with liability protection for delivering first aid training. View the Cowan Insurance Flyer or contact Cowan Insurance to learn more.
First Aid Program Transition Resources