First Aid Revalidation

Keep your skills and certification up to date

This course is a hands-on refresher that rebuilds your confidence through realistic practice. You'll revisit all the essential skills from your original certification and update your knowledge with the latest techniques.

Core life support skills:

• CPR for adults, children, and infants
• Using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• Choking management for all ages
• Recovery position and primary assessment
• Life-threatening bleeding and shock management

Complex emergencies:

• Scene management of emergency situations
• Head and spinal injuries
• Medical emergencies including heart attacks and strokes
• Environmental conditions: hypothermia, heat exhaustion, heat stroke
• Trauma injuries: burns, fractures, poisoning

Real-world scenarios: You'll practice responding to realistic emergency situations, refreshing your skills and decision-making confidence so you're ready to respond when it's needed most.

Choose your learning format

Face-to-face (6 hours)
Spend a full half-day in hands-on practice and scenario training. Perfect for teams revalidating together or if you prefer immersive classroom learning.

Hybrid (2 hours online + 4 hours face-to-face)
Complete theory revision online at your own pace, then join us for a 4-hour practical session. Reduces time away from work while maintaining full hands-on practice.

Both options award the same certification renewal.

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Your renewed certification

Certificate renewed: Your existing New Zealand First Aid Certificate or Foundation First Aid Certificate
NZQA Unit Standards maintained: Based on your original certification (6400, 6401 and 6402 or 6401, 6402 only)
Valid for: 2 years from revalidation date
Next renewal: You'll need to revalidate again in 2 years

You can take this course if you:

• Hold a current first aid certificate from any NZQA-accredited provider (not just New Zealand Red Cross)
• Your certificate is no older than 2 years from the date of issue
• You previously completed Comprehensive First Aid, Essential First Aid, or maintained certification through revalidation

Which certificates qualify?

Not sure if you're eligible? Call us at 0800 RED CROSS (733 27677) or email firstaid@redcross.org.nz with your certificate details and we'll confirm whether you can revalidate or need to complete a full course.

Important timing rule

Your certificate must be less than 2 years old on the date you attend revalidation. If your certificate has expired, you'll need to complete the full Essential First Aid or Comprehensive First Aid course again.

We recommend booking your revalidation at least 2-3 months before your certificate expires to ensure you can secure a convenient date.

What you must bring

You must bring proof of your current first aid certificate to the course. This can be:

• Your physical certificate
• A digital copy or photo of your certificate
• Confirmation email from your previous provider

Without proof, you won't be able to complete the revalidation and will need to book a full course instead.

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What you need

Please bring:

• Proof of your current first aid certificate (physical or digital copy)
• Comfortable clothes you can kneel and move around in
• Note-taking materials if you like (course manual provided)

To receive your renewed certificate:

• Attend all 6 hours of training (or 4 hours face-to-face for Hybrid)
• Participate in hands-on practice
• Demonstrate competency in required first aid skills

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Revalidation cycle

First aid certificates expire every 2 years. Here's how to stay current:

1. Complete your original certification (Comprehensive First Aid or Essential First Aid)
2. Book revalidation before 2 years from your certificate date
3. Repeat revalidation every 2 years to maintain certification

Miss your revalidation window? If your certificate expires, you'll need to complete the full Essential First Aid (8 hours) or Comprehensive First Aid (12 hours) course to regain certification.

Workplace considerations

Compliance: Most workplaces require current certification because expired certificates don't meet health and safety requirements. Book your revalidation early to avoid coverage gaps.

Funding: Many employers cover revalidation costs. Check with your HR or health and safety officer.

Group bookings: Revalidating your whole team? For exclusive groups, we can bring the training to your workplace. Email firstaid@redcross.org.nz for a quote.

Flexible booking

Need to reschedule? Contact us at least 2 business days before your course and we'll move you to another date at no charge.

Cancellations: Full cancellation policy details are provided when you book. Please refer to our First Aid Training Terms and Conditions for further information.