If your Standard First Aid & CPR Level C certificate is approaching its three-year expiry date, it's time to act fast. Letting a certificate lapse puts you, your workplace, and your co-workers at risk of non-compliance.

This guide breaks down the essential rules for CPR Level C Recertification in Ontario, why it’s critical, and how Holmes Safety Training makes the renewal process simple across all of our service locations.

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1. The WSIB Rule: The Three-Year Wall

 

In Ontario, most Standard First Aid and CPR Level C certifications are valid for a maximum of three years.

• If your card is expired, you MUST take the full course again. There is no grace period for an expired certificate under WSIB Regulation 1101.

• WSIB Renewal Rule: The WSIB specifies that a worker can renew their Standard First Aid certificate only once by completing a one-day renewal course with the original approved provider before the original certificate expires. After that one renewal, the worker must take the full two-day course again.

• The BLS Exception: Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, often required by healthcare professionals, has a much shorter validity—typically one year.

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2. Why Recertification is Non-Negotiable

 

Recertification is not just an administrative task—it's a critical safety measure that directly addresses skill fade.

• Refreshing Life-Saving Skills: Recertification courses are shorter and more intense, focusing heavily on hands-on practice. They ensure you can confidently and competently perform CPR, operate an AED, and manage choking across all age groups (adults, children, and infants).

• Compliance with Updated Techniques: CPR guidelines and WSIB protocols change every few years. Recertification is the only way to ensure you are practicing the most current and effective techniques, ensuring your response meets modern standards.

• Job Security: For regulated professions and jobs in industrial or healthcare settings, a valid certificate is often a precondition of employment. An expired card can mean being placed off-duty until you recertify.​​

 

🗺️ Keep Your Card Current Across Eastern Ontario

 

Don't let your certificate expire and force yourself back into the full-length course. Book your renewal today at any of our convenient locations.

We offer full WSIB-approved recertification services in:

• Ottawa (Downtown, South, West, Orleans)

• Kingston

• Peterborough

• Brockville

• Cornwall

Check the expiry date on your card and book your recertification course now!