Overview
According to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code, Part 11: First Aid, the employer is responsible for ensuring individuals who provide first aid services to workers at a work site are appropriately trained.
Approved first aid training agencies issue a first aid certificate to workers who successfully complete an approved first aid training course. Workers must show this certificate to employers as proof of their first aid qualifications.
An instructor certified by the listed agency must deliver first aid training courses.
First aid training certifications are valid for up to 3 years. Workers must retrain after their certification expires.
Approved training courses
Find a list of approved first aid training agencies (updated quarterly).
Some approved agencies and courses may not be on the list. Contact OHS at 1-866-415-8690 to ask if government approved a particular agency or course.
Consultants and service providers
Consultants and service providers may offer training using course materials developed by a listed, approved agency. In these cases, they may not appear on the list of approved agencies.
If a consultant or service provider is not on the list, you can follow these steps to make sure the training qualifies for certification:
- Find out the name of the approved agency that developed the course.
- Confirm that a certified instructor will deliver the approved workplace first aid course.
- Call the approved first aid training agency to verify this information.
- Ask to see the agency’s signed approval letter from a Director of Medical Services, Alberta Labour and Immigration
Agency approval requirements
All workplace first aid training courses must meet CSA Standard Z1210-17: First aid training for the workplace — Curriculum and quality management for training agencies.
Agencies applying to teach new workplace first aid courses must meet the requirements of the Workplace First Aid Approval: Alberta Plus Quality Management Plan (QMP).
Agencies should review the following first aid forms before developing new workplace first aid courses:
- Advanced First Aid (AFA)
- Standard First Aid (SFA)
- Emergency First Aid (EFA)
- Blended Course
- Recertification Course
How to apply for agency approval
Step 1. Register for a MyAlberta Digital ID for Business account
Watch this video to learn how to register a MyAlberta Digital ID for Business account.
Step 2. Apply online (preferred)
Apply online for an approval using your MyAlberta Digital ID for Business account.
If you have difficulty using the online form, you can email your application to lbr.ohsaccept@gov.ab.ca or mail it to:
OHS Specialized Professional Services
8th floor, Labour Building
10808 99 Avenue NS
Edmonton AB T5K0G5
Mailed or emailed applications must contain:
- the completed application form for an approval
- the relevant first aid form(s) signed by both the agency’s medical advisor and a representative from the agency
- any required supplemental information
Contact
Connect with OHS:
Phone: 780-415-8690 (Edmonton)
Toll free: 1-866-415-8690
TTY: 780-427-9999 (Edmonton)
TTY: 1-800-232-7215