First Aid & CPR Certification for Pharmacists
To administer injections in Ontario, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians must hold valid first aid and CPR certification at the Intermediate/Standard First Aid with CPR/AED Level C level. As a Canadian Red Cross Training Partner, we certify pharmacy teams to that standard, at your pharmacy or ours.
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Injection Authority Requires Current First Aid and CPR
The Ontario College of Pharmacists requires pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to hold valid first aid and CPR certification, at a level equivalent to Intermediate/Standard First Aid with CPR/AED Level C, in order to administer a substance by injection. Certification is valid three years, and every course meets CSA Standard Z1210 with Canadian Red Cross certificates issued within 48 hours.
Pharmacists, interns, and students practising under an injection-trained pharmacist must hold valid first aid and CPR certification before administering any substance by injection, under Ontario Regulation 256/24 of the Pharmacy Act, 1991. The same standard applies to administering publicly funded influenza vaccines under the Universal Influenza Immunization Program.
As of July 1, 2026, pharmacy technicians who have registered their injection training can administer all vaccines listed in Schedule 3. First aid and CPR certification becomes mandatory for technicians and intern technicians administering injections as of March 31, 2027. Certify your technicians now to stay ahead of the deadline.
The Ontario College of Pharmacists sets the requirement above. Alberta, British Columbia, and every other province regulate pharmacy through their own college, each setting its own injection authority and first aid conditions, so the required level and renewal terms can differ. We certify pharmacy teams across Canada and will confirm your province's standard before you book.
Intermediate/Standard First Aid with CPR/AED Level C
IndividualCourses Offered
- Intermediate/Standard First Aid with CPR/AED Level C
- Recertification, once within 90 days of expiry
- CPR/AED Level C on its own
The certification level pharmacy professionals need for injection authority, formerly called Intermediate (formerly Standard First Aid). Covers anaphylaxis recognition and epinephrine auto-injector use, the adverse reaction most relevant to immunization, plus CPR/AED Level C for adults, children, and infants. Take it over two days in class, or choose blended learning to cut classroom time.
- Meets the certification level required for injection authority in Ontario
- Anaphylaxis response and epinephrine auto-injector practice, directly relevant to post-injection adverse reactions
- Hands-on skills testing with automated external defibrillator
- Certificate issued within 48 hours of completion
Who is this for? Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, intern technicians, and pharmacy students who administer or will administer vaccines and injections.
On-Site Group Training for Pharmacy Teams
PopularCourses Offered
- Intermediate/Standard First Aid with CPR/AED Level C
- Basic Life Support (BLS), where a pharmacy prefers the clinical level
- Recertification for renewing staff
Certify a whole pharmacy team at once, including technicians ahead of the March 2027 deadline. We deliver private training at your pharmacy or banner head office anywhere in Canada, or your staff attend any of our 35+ public locations. Sessions scheduled around dispensary hours.
- One invoice for the whole team, with group registration
- Certificates within 48 hours, optional 24-hour fast-track
- Instructors who are RNs, paramedics, and physicians
Who is this for? Independent pharmacies, banner and chain locations, long-term care pharmacies, and pharmacy groups certifying or renewing staff in bulk.
Which Course Fits Your Role?
Find your role and the certification pharmacy teams need. Not sure? We will confirm the right level for your pharmacy.
| Role | Recommended course |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist administering injections | Intermediate/Standard First Aid with CPR/AED Level C |
| Pharmacy technician administering vaccines | Intermediate/Standard First Aid with CPR/AED Level CMandatory as of March 31, 2027. |
| Intern technician or pharmacy student | Intermediate/Standard First Aid with CPR/AED Level C |
| Pharmacy assistant, non-injecting | Basic/Emergency First Aid with CPR/AED Level CNot required by the College, but recommended for workplace coverage. |
| Long-term care or clinical pharmacy staff | Basic Life Support (BLS)Where an employer requires the clinical level. |
The Emergencies Pharmacy Teams Actually Face
Pharmacies are walk-in healthcare. Your team is often the first responder on scene.
Post-injection anaphylaxis
The reason the College requires certification. Recognizing a severe allergic reaction after immunization and giving epinephrine without delay.
Cardiac arrest at the counter
Sudden collapse in a retail pharmacy. CPR and AED skills in the first minutes decide the outcome.
Opioid overdose response
Pharmacies dispense naloxone and often see overdoses nearby. Recognizing an opioid overdose and giving rescue breaths keeps a person alive until EMS arrives.
Diabetic and cardiac episodes
Patients often come to the pharmacy first. Recognizing low blood sugar, heart attack, and stroke signs and acting quickly.
Choking and airway emergencies
Clear steps for adults, children, and infants, including customers waiting in the consultation area.
Fainting after immunization
Vasovagal syncope is common post-injection. Managing a fainting patient safely and assessing for injury.
First Aid Requirements Across Canada
Every province sets its own workplace first aid rule through its own regulator, but almost all of them now point to the same national training standard, CSA Z1210, and the same kit standard, CSA Z1220. That is why a Canadian Red Cross certificate from Coast2Coast First Aid is recognized nationwide. We deliver group and on-site training anywhere in Canada.
| Province | Regulator and governing rule |
|---|---|
| Ontario | Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) — Regulation 1101 under the Workplace Safety and Insurance ActRequirements scale with workers per shift and hazard rating. |
| Alberta | Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code, Part 11 and Schedule 2Set by hazard level, workers per shift, and travel time to medical care. |
| British Columbia | WorkSafeBC — Part 3 of the Occupational Health and Safety RegulationSubstantially revised November 1, 2024; requires a written first aid assessment. |
| Quebec | CNESST — First-Aid Minimum Standards RegulationAmended February 12, 2026; applies broadly, including offices. Certificates valid up to three years. |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Occupational Health and Safety RegulationsRequirements scale with workers per shift and the nature of the work. |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act and its regulationsSet by worker count per shift and type of work; strong lone-worker provisions. |
| Nova Scotia | Occupational Health and Safety Act and Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, administered by the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration |
| New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, PEI | WorkSafeNB, WorkplaceNL, and the Workers Compensation Board of PEI, each under their own provincial occupational health and safety legislation |
Not sure which rule applies to your sites? Tell us where your team works and we will confirm the required certification level for each province before you book.
Awards & Recognition
Recognized as a Top 3 Canadian Red Cross Training Partner for 2023, 2024, 2025 consecutively.
See the full Canadian Red Cross Training Partner award details. Award information as communicated by the Canadian Red Cross.
2025 · National First Aid & CPR Provider
2025 · National Professional Responder Provider
2025 · Top 3 National Training Provider
2025 · Top 3 Provincial Training Provider
2024 · National First Aid & CPR Provider
2024 · National Professional Responder Provider
2024 · Top 3 National Provider
2024 · Top 3 Provincial Training Provider
2023 · National First Aid & CPR Provider
2023 · National Professional Responder Provider
2023 · Top 3 National Provider
2023 · Top 3 Provincial Provider
Coast2Coast First Aid vs. Other Training Providers
What employers across Canada compare before booking group training.
Coast2Coast First Aid
First Aid & Aquatics, nationwide
- WSIB, provincial OHS and CSA Z1210 approved across Canada
- Top 3 Canadian Red Cross Training Partner 2023-2025
- Certificates issued within 48 hours
- Free 90-day skill retake at no extra cost
- 99.9% student pass rate
- On-site training anywhere in Canada, all equipment included
- Coasty AI First Aid, CPR & BLS study companion and tutor
Other Providers
Typical alternative
- Limited approved course options across provinces
- Not a ranked Canadian Red Cross Training Partner
- Certificates may take 7-10 business days
- No free skill retake
- Limited student success support
- Limited multi-province or on-site coverage
- No AI tutor or digital study support
Certify Your Pharmacy Team in Three Steps
Tell us your team
Send your headcount, roles, and preferred dates. We confirm which staff need certification for injection authority.
We schedule the class
Private session at your pharmacy or seats in a public class, worked around dispensary hours.
Team gets certified
Staff complete the course and receive Canadian Red Cross certificates within 48 hours.
Pharmacy First Aid & CPR FAQ
Medically reviewed by Aryan Sekhavati, Director.
Yes. The Ontario College of Pharmacists requires pharmacists to hold valid first aid and CPR certification, at a level equivalent to Intermediate/Standard First Aid with CPR/AED Level C, before administering any substance by injection. The same standard applies to administering publicly funded influenza vaccines.
Intermediate/Standard First Aid with CPR/AED Level C, formerly called Intermediate (formerly Standard First Aid). This is the level the College specifies for injection authority, and it is the course most pharmacists and pharmacy technicians take.
First aid and CPR certification becomes mandatory for pharmacy technicians and intern technicians administering injections as of March 31, 2027. Before that date, technicians can administer vaccines only under the supervision of a pharmacist or other healthcare professional who holds certification.
No. Registering injection training with the College is a self-declaration, and documentation is not submitted. Pharmacy professionals should keep their certificate in a readily retrievable place, since the declaration is renewed annually at registration.
Intermediate/Standard First Aid with CPR/AED Level C is valid three years. It can be recertified once within 90 days of expiry; after that window, the full course must be retaken, so book before your certificate lapses.
Yes. The requirement applies to pharmacy students and interns practising under the supervision of an injection-trained pharmacist, not only to fully registered pharmacists.
No. Certification requires an in-person skills session with hands-on CPR, AED, and epinephrine auto-injector practice. Blended learning lets you complete the theory online first, but a fully online certificate does not meet the standard.
It depends on the employer. The College's injection requirement is met by Intermediate/Standard First Aid with CPR/AED Level C. Some long-term care and clinical pharmacy employers prefer Basic Life Support, which is the healthcare-provider level and renews annually.
Yes. Anaphylaxis recognition and epinephrine auto-injector use are core parts of the course, which is precisely why the College ties the certification requirement to injection authority.
Private group rates depend on headcount and location, with savings for 8 or more staff. Send your team size, roles, and preferred dates for a quote, or enrol staff in a public class.
Certify Your Pharmacy Team the Right Way
Canadian Red Cross Intermediate/Standard First Aid with CPR/AED Level C, the level Ontario pharmacy professionals need for injection authority. Group rates for 8+ staff.