Canadian Red Cross First Aid Course Names Are Changing: What You Need to Know

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If you’ve been certified in Standard First Aid (now Intermediate First Aid) or Emergency First Aid (now Basic First Aid), or you’re planning to take a course soon, there’s an important update you should know about. The Canadian Red Cross is updating its first aid course and certification names, and the changes take effect for courses ending on or after June 22, 2026.

Here’s what’s changing, why it matters, and what it means for you.

Why Are the Names Changing?

Provincial and territorial regulators across Canada are aligning with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z1210, a national framework that standardizes first aid training requirements. As part of this shift, regulators are moving to consistent terminology – Intermediate First Aid and Basic First Aid – across courses and certifications. In Ontario, this includes updates to how WSIB recognizes and approves first aid training.

The Canadian Red Cross is updating its course names nationally to reflect this standard. The goal is consistency across provinces and easier recognition for employers, regulators, and certificate holders.

What’s Actually Changing

The names are being updated:

Standard First Aid is now Intermediate First Aid.
Emergency First Aid is now Basic First Aid.

During the transition period, you may see both names used together — Intermediate First Aid/Standard First Aid and Basic First Aid/Emergency First Aid — to help learners identify the right course while the update rolls out across training materials and websites.

Enhanced Course Content for Ontario Workplaces

As part of the update to CSA Z1210 standards, the Canadian Red Cross has added Ontario-specific workplace content to the Intermediate/Standard First Aid and Basic/Emergency First Aid courses. This includes additional guidance on the role of the workplace first aider within an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS), assisting with medication in a workplace setting, and Ontario workplace first aid kit requirements under Regulation 1101.

This content is designed to better prepare first aiders for their responsibilities in Ontario workplaces and to support employer compliance under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

You can download the Ontario Workplace First Aid Bulletin for a full overview of what this content covers.

Download the Ontario Workplace First Aid Bulletin PDF

What This Means for WSIB Compliance in Ontario

For Ontario workplaces, first aid training requirements are governed by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). WSIB-compliant first aid training must meet the standards set out under Ontario Regulation 1101. The updated course names — Intermediate First Aid and Basic First Aid — reflect the same training content that meets those requirements.

If your workplace requires certified first aid attendants, courses taken at an approved Canadian Red Cross Training Partner continue to satisfy WSIB requirements. The name change does not affect compliance — what matters is that training is delivered by an approved provider and meets the required standard.

What Happens to Your Current Certification

If you already hold a Standard First Aid or Emergency First Aid certification, nothing changes. Your certificate remains valid for the full three-year certification period and will continue to be recognized by regulators and employers. Previously issued certifications will not be reissued.

For courses completed on or after June 22, 2026, new certifications will show Intermediate First Aid or Basic First Aid along with your CPR level and AED notation.

New: Recertifying with a Certificate from Another Provider

Starting June 22, 2026, valid Intermediate First Aid or Standard First Aid certificates issued by any WSIB-approved training provider are accepted for recertification in Ontario, including certificates from approved providers in other Canadian provinces, as long as the certificate meets the CSA Z1210 standard. To be eligible, the certificate must not be expired and must not have been previously recertified. Intermediate First Aid certificates can only be recertified once. We will verify the validity of all certificates prior to confirming registration.

Already Registered for an Upcoming Course?

No action is needed. If your course ends on or after June 22, 2026, your enrollment will be updated automatically. Your course number stays the same. You may receive an email notification about the update — this is routine and nothing to be concerned about.

If you’re partway through a blended learning course and have already completed the online component, you can continue as normal. Your Training Partner will confirm your completion when you attend the in-person session.