What is Intermediate First Aid in Ontario: The Two-Day WSIB Course Formerly Known as Standard First Aid

If you have searched for what is intermediate first aid in Ontario, the short answer is this: it is the current CSA-compliant term for the workplace first aid training course formerly known as Standard First Aid. The name changed as part of a national effort to align aid training across Canada under the Canadian Standards Association Z1210:24 standard. This guide covers what the course includes, who needs it, how the legal requirements work, and what changed on June 22, 2026.

What Is Intermediate First Aid in Ontario?

Intermediate First Aid (formerly Standard First Aid) is Ontario’s WSIB-approved two-day workplace first aid course, renamed on June 22, 2026 under the updated WSIB First Aid Program aligned with CSA Z1210:24 national standards. It is a comprehensive 13-hour course that builds on Basic First Aid (formerly Emergency First Aid) by adding skills like head and spine injury management, environmental emergency response, fractures and dislocations, and multiple casualty triage.

In Ontario, Intermediate First Aid is the most widely recognized certification for designated workplace first aiders. It sits at Level 2 in a two-tier system where Basic First Aid is Level 1 and Intermediate First Aid is Level 2 under CSA Z1210:24. It is required for all workplaces with six or more employees per shift under WSIB Regulation 1101, and it is the standard expectation across construction, manufacturing, schools, child care, and most higher-risk industries.

For a full breakdown of every change under the updated program and what stayed the same, see our complete guide on the WSIB first aid name change Ontario 2026.

Why Did the Name Change From Standard First Aid to Intermediate First Aid?

Between 2024 and 2026, Canada adopted new workplace first aid standards to improve training consistency and quality across provinces. The Canadian Standards Association standard Z1210:24, titled First Aid Training for the Workplace, introduced standardized course names and curricula. Under this framework, Emergency First Aid is now called Basic First Aid and Standard First Aid is now called Intermediate First Aid.

In Ontario, WSIB Regulation 1101 remains the legal foundation for workplace first aid requirements. WSIB transitioned its approved First Aid Program to align fully with CSA Z1210:24 on June 22, 2026. After that date, course names, provider approvals, and certification formats follow the updated program.

The compliance thresholds have not changed. The number of employees per shift that determines which aid level is required, the three-year certificate validity, and the requirement to use WSIB-approved providers all remain exactly the same. Only the names changed. All existing Standard First Aid certificates remain valid until their printed expiry date. The name change does not require anyone to retrain early. For the most current information, visit the official WSIB first aid page.

What Does Intermediate First Aid Training Cover in Ontario?

Intermediate First Aid training is a 13-hour, two-day course that must meet CSA Z1210:24 and WSIB criteria to be recognized in Ontario. It covers everything in Basic First Aid plus a significantly deeper range of injury and illness management skills. Here is a full breakdown of what participants learn:

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and AED Skills

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a core skill in every Intermediate First Aid course. CPR techniques are taught for adults, children, and infants using hands-on manikin practice to build the muscle memory needed to respond confidently during a cardiac emergency. Every Intermediate First Aid course includes Automated External Defibrillator training, and participants practice operating an AED alongside CPR. Rescue breathing techniques are also covered for managing non-breathing casualties until EMS arrives. Most Intermediate First Aid courses issue CPR/AED Level C certification alongside the first aid certificate.

Advanced Injury and Illness Management

Intermediate First Aid goes beyond the essential skills in Basic First Aid to cover more complex injuries. This includes fractures, sprains, dislocations, head and spine injuries, eye injuries, chest and abdominal injuries, and burns. Students learn immobilization techniques and how to use aid supplies like dressings, bandages, gloves, and barrier devices. Medical emergencies covered include heart attack, stroke using the FAST assessment, anaphylaxis, diabetic emergencies, seizures, and poisoning. Each scenario builds knowledge and confidence in recognizing warning signs and providing immediate care before EMS arrives.

Environmental and Multi-Casualty Emergencies

Environmental emergencies training includes recognizing and treating heat stroke, hypothermia, frostbite, and cold exposure injuries. Intermediate First Aid also introduces multiple casualty management, covering triage principles, prioritizing care when several people are injured, and coordinating with EMS upon arrival. This is a critical skill for construction sites, manufacturing plants, warehouses, and event settings where mass casualty incidents are a realistic risk.

Understanding Ontario First Aid Course Levels and Aid Level Requirements

Ontario’s WSIB-approved courses are structured into two clear aid levels under CSA Z1210:24. Understanding which aid level applies to your situation keeps all businesses covered under WSIA fully compliant.

Basic First Aid (formerly Emergency First Aid), Level 1 is a one-day course of approximately 6 to 8 hours. It covers essential life-threatening emergencies and satisfies Regulation 1101 for workplaces with one to five employees per shift.

Intermediate First Aid (formerly Standard First Aid), Level 2 is a two-day course of approximately 13 hours. It covers everything in Basic First Aid plus advanced injury and illness management, environmental emergencies, and multi-casualty scenarios. It satisfies Regulation 1101 for workplaces with six or more employees per shift and is the most widely recognized first aid certification in Ontario.

Employers can combine both aid levels with different CPR/AED levels. Intermediate First Aid with CPR/AED Level C is the standard combination for most Ontario workplaces with six or more employees per shift.

Who Needs Intermediate First Aid in Ontario?

In Ontario, WSIB requires first aid training at all workplaces regardless of size or industry. WSIB mandates that certified first aiders must be on-site on every shift. Intermediate First Aid is specifically required for workplaces with six or more employees per shift under Regulation 1101.

Workplaces most likely to require Intermediate First Aid include construction sites, manufacturing plants, warehouses, transportation hubs, logistics centres, schools, child care centres, and large offices with six or more staff on any given shift. All businesses covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act must comply, whether staff are full-time, part-time, contract, or temporary.

Common roles that require or benefit from Intermediate First Aid certification include supervisors, health and safety representatives, designated first aid attendants, coaches, recreation leaders, camp staff, and anyone working in a higher-risk or larger workplace environment. Intermediate First Aid is suitable for designated first aiders in high-risk environments where serious injuries are more probable.

Child Care, Healthcare, and Specialized Roles

People who work in child care settings should pay particular attention. Many daycare centres, early childhood education programs, and youth organizations require Intermediate First Aid plus CPR/AED Level C with infant and child components. Healthcare professionals and clinical staff typically require Basic Life Support (BLS) rather than a standard workplace first aid certificate. BLS follows a separate certification cycle designed for hospital and clinical environments.

Ontario Workplace First Aid Requirements Under Regulation 1101

Ontario’s workplace first aid obligations are law under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA). Every employer covered by WSIA must comply with Regulation 1101, whether staff are full-time, part-time, contract, or temporary. Failing to comply can trigger WSIB penalties and increase liability if a workplace incident occurs.

Regulation 1101 requires specific first aid kits meeting CSA Z1220-17 standards, tiered by workforce size. It also requires posting of the WSIB Form 82 poster, quarterly kit inspections, written records of all workplace incidents, a written first aid assessment for each workplace, and at least one trained first aider with a valid certificate accessible on every shift.

Employers with spread-out facilities, multiple floors, or remote worksites should ensure first aiders are distributed so that any worker can receive first aid promptly on any shift. Only training from WSIB-approved providers meets Ontario workplace requirements and will be accepted during Ministry of Labour inspections, audits, or incident investigations.

How Long Is an Intermediate First Aid Course in Ontario?

An Intermediate First Aid course in Ontario runs over two full days, approximately 13 hours total including both theory instruction and hands-on skills practice. The two-day format reflects the significantly wider scope of Intermediate First Aid compared to the one-day Basic First Aid course.

In-Class Format

A certified instructor guides every skill across two consecutive classroom sessions, covering theory through to hands-on practice and scenario-based evaluation. This format suits learners who prefer a structured environment with direct instructor feedback throughout both days.

Online Blended Learning Format

Blended learning allows participants to complete theory modules online at their own pace before attending a scheduled in-person skills session. This format reduces total classroom time while still meeting every WSIB and CSA Z1210:24 requirement. A fully online course with no practical skills evaluation is never valid for WSIB workplace compliance under Regulation 1101, regardless of the provider.

Intermediate First Aid vs Basic First Aid: What Is the Difference?

Intermediate First Aid and Basic First Aid (formerly Emergency First Aid) share the same foundation but differ significantly in scope, duration, and the workplaces they satisfy under Regulation 1101.

First Aid and CPR/AED: Choosing Between Level C and BLS

First aid and CPR are closely linked but serve distinct roles. Intermediate First Aid combined with CPR/AED Level C is the standard combination for most Ontario workplaces with six or more employees per shift. CPR/AED Level C covers cardiopulmonary resuscitation and AED use for adults, children, and infants, plus choking emergencies. CPR/AED certification is valid for three years, and Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada recommends annual renewal of CPR/AED skills because cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques degrade faster than other first aid knowledge.

Basic Life Support (BLS) is a more advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation course designed for healthcare providers and first responders. It covers high-performance CPR, multi-rescuer scenarios, airway management, and rescue breathing techniques that go beyond what standard workplace first aid requires. Choose CPR/AED Level C for most non-healthcare workplaces and the general public, and BLS for hospitals, clinics, paramedic services, and professional responder positions.

Can You Recertify Intermediate First Aid in Ontario?

Yes. Intermediate First Aid can be recertified in Ontario. To qualify, you must hold a current, non-expired Intermediate First Aid certificate or an equivalent Standard First Aid certificate issued before June 22, 2026. Recertification must be completed before the certificate expires. There is no grace period after expiry.

The recertification course is typically completed in one day rather than repeating the full two-day program. Upon successful completion, the certificate validity resets for another three years. After this single recertification, the next renewal requires the full two-day course again.

This is different from Basic First Aid, which cannot be recertified at all. When a Basic First Aid certificate expires, the full course must be retaken. There is no grace period after expiry for either level. Book your recertification course before your current certificate expires to avoid any gap in coverage for your workplace.

Intermediate First Aid Certification, Validity, and Recertification in Ontario

Most WSIB-approved Intermediate First Aid certificates issued through Canadian Red Cross partners are valid for three years from the date of completion. CPR/AED certification is also valid for three years. Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada recommends annual renewal of CPR/AED skills because cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques degrade faster than other first aid knowledge. Even before your full first aid certificate expires, refreshing CPR and AED competency each year keeps your response sharp and your workplace prepared.

Coast2Coast maintains digital records of certification and can help learners schedule recertification before their certificate expires so there are no gaps in workplace compliance. Employers coordinating training for multiple staff should track expiry dates across the team and plan renewal training well in advance of the earliest expiry.

How to Get Intermediate First Aid Certified in Ontario

Choose a WSIB-approved provider. Coast2Coast First Aid and Aquatics is a Canadian Red Cross training partner delivering WSIB-approved Intermediate First Aid and CPR/AED Level C courses across Ontario in both classroom and blended learning formats. The quality of instruction meets both WSIB standards and Canadian Red Cross program guidelines, ensuring every participant leaves prepared to respond in a real emergency.

Register for a course at a location near you. Courses run regularly across Ontario. Attend both days of the course including the mandatory hands-on skills sessions. Receive your certificate within 48 hours of completing the course. Ontario employers and Ministry of Labour inspectors accept the certificate immediately upon issue.

For organizations training multiple employees at once, private on-site group training is available through our private group training program. Coast2Coast sends certified instructors, manikins, and aid supplies directly to your workplace for dedicated sessions.

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