WSIB First Aid Program Changes in Ontario for June 22nd 2026: What Students and Employers Need to Know
- Forest City First Aid
- May 12
- 5 min read
If you’ve recently searched for Standard First Aid, Emergency First Aid, CPR-C, AED training, or workplace first aid courses in Ontario, you may have noticed some new course names appearing online.
Don’t worry. The upcoming WSIB first aid program changes are not meant to make things confusing or harder for students. In fact, the goal is to improve clarity, consistency, and workplace first aid training standards across Ontario.
At Forest City First Aid in London, Ontario, we want to make this transition as simple and stress-free as possible for students and employers.
The good news? Most students will not notice a dramatic difference in the actual learning experience. Forest City First Aid has already been operating at a high standard with detailed, practical, hands-on training focused on real-life confidence and emergency response.
What Is Changing in Ontario’s WSIB First Aid Program?
The updated WSIB first aid program officially launches on June 22, 2026.
Under the updated program:
Standard First Aid (SFA) is transitioning to Intermediate First Aid (IFA)
Emergency First Aid (EFA) is transitioning to Basic First Aid (BFA)
CPR-C and AED training continue to remain important parts of workplace first aid certification and will be included in IFA and BFA
Course materials and terminology are being updated to align with the new provincial standards
The overall goal is to create more consistent workplace first aid training across Ontario while improving clarity for students, employers, and training providers.
What Does This Mean for Students?
For most students, the changes are mainly about updated course names and updated program standards.
If your workplace, school, placement, or employer previously asked for Standard First Aid, you will likely now need Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED.
If they previously asked for Emergency First Aid, you will likely now need Basic First Aid with CPR-C & AED.
The actual learning experience will still focus heavily on practical, hands-on emergency response skills, including:
CPR-C
AED use
Choking emergencies
Bleeding control
Medical emergencies
Injury management
Real-life emergency response confidence
At Forest City First Aid, students already train using realistic scenarios and hands-on practice. Because of this, many students will feel that the transition is very smooth.
Current Certifications Are Still Valid
One of the biggest questions students have is whether their current certificate suddenly becomes invalid.
The answer is no.
Current valid Standard First Aid and Emergency First Aid certifications remain valid until their normal expiry date.
Students should still pay attention to their expiry date and renew before the certification expires.
If your certification expires, you may need to take the full course again instead of a recertification course.
What About Recertification?
Recertification eligibility depends on your previous training history.
In general:
Students who completed a full WSIB-approved Standard First Aid or Intermediate First Aid course may be eligible for Intermediate First Aid Recertification if they meet the recertification requirements
Students who trained with another WSIB-approved provider are still be eligible for recertification
Certifications must be current and within the allowed renewal timeframe of 3 years
If your certification is expired, you must take the full course again
If you are unsure which course you need, Forest City First Aid can help you determine the correct option before registering.
What Does This Mean for Employers?
Employers should begin paying attention to these updates now so they can stay compliant with Ontario workplace first aid requirements.
This includes:
Checking employee certification expiry dates
Making sure staff renew certifications on time
Updating internal records and terminology
Understanding the transition from Standard First Aid to Intermediate First Aid
Understanding the transition from Emergency First Aid to Basic First Aid
The good news for employers is that the overall purpose of workplace first aid training remains the same: helping workers respond confidently and safely during emergencies.
Why Forest City First Aid Is Already Prepared
At Forest City First Aid, we’ve already started preparing for the June 22, 2026 launch.
In fact, Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED courses are already available for online registration right now for course dates after the June 22, 2026 launch date.
Students can register online anytime at:
We’ve also been actively updating:
Course materials
Website information
Student communication
Recertification guidance
Instructor training
Internal procedures
Most importantly, our focus has always been practical, high-quality, hands-on training that prepares students for real emergencies, not just passing a course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Standard First Aid going away?
The name is changing. Standard First Aid is transitioning to Intermediate First Aid under the updated WSIB first aid program.
What is Intermediate First Aid?
Intermediate First Aid is the updated replacement for Standard First Aid. It includes CPR-C and AED training and remains the more comprehensive workplace first aid course.
Is Emergency First Aid changing too?
Yes. Emergency First Aid is transitioning to Basic First Aid.
Is my current certificate still valid?
Yes. Current certifications remain valid until their expiry date.
Do I need to retake my course right away?
Students can continue using their current certification until it expires.
Can I sign up for Intermediate First Aid right now?
Yes. Forest City First Aid already has Intermediate First Aid courses available for registration for dates after the June 22, 2026 launch.
Can I take a recertification course if I trained with another provider?
Yes. Anyone who completed a full WSIB-approved Standard First Aid or Intermediate First Aid course with another approved provider are now eligible for recertification if they meet the recertification requirements.
What happens if my certification is expired?
If your certification is expired, you must take the full course again instead of a recertification course.
Will the course be harder?
Most students will not notice a dramatic difference. The updated program focuses on improving consistency and clarity across Ontario workplace first aid training.
Will CPR-C and AED still be included?
Yes in both IFA and BFA. CPR-C and AED training remain important parts of workplace first aid certification.
How do I know which course I need?
Your workplace, school, placement, or employer will usually tell you which certification is required. If you are unsure, Forest City First Aid can help you choose the correct course.
Why should I take my course with Forest City First Aid?
Forest City First Aid focuses on high-quality, practical, hands-on training designed to help students feel confident during real emergencies. We keep class sizes manageable, focus heavily on skill practice, and prepare students for real-world situations, not just certification paperwork.
Book Your Course with Forest City First Aid
Whether you need:
Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C & AED
Basic First Aid with CPR-C & AED
CPR-C with AED
CPR-HCP/BLS with AED
Airway Management
Intermediate First Aid Recertification
Forest City First Aid will be strongly ready for the 2026 WSIB transition.
We already have Intermediate First Aid courses available for online registration for dates after the June 22, 2026 launch.
Visit us online to register:
Official Sources and Additional Information
WSIB Ontario First Aid Program Informationhttps://www.wsib.ca/en/firstaid
Lifesaving Society Ontario WSIB First Aid Program Changeshttp://www.lifesavingsociety.com/first-aid/wsib-first-aid-program-changes-2026.aspx
Lifesaving Society Ontariohttps://www.lifesavingsociety.com
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