How Long Is a First Aid at Work Course? EFAW and FAW Explained

If you need workplace first aid training, you may be wondering how long is a First Aid at Work course?

There are two main workplace first aid qualifications that employers commonly consider:

Emergency First Aid at Work, EFAW – normally 1 day

First Aid at Work, FAW – normally 3 days

Although their names sound similar, they are different qualifications designed to provide different levels of first aid training.

EFAW focuses on the essential skills needed to respond to workplace first aid emergencies.

FAW provides more comprehensive training and covers a much broader range of injuries and medical conditions.

The right choice should therefore be based on your workplace first aid needs assessment, rather than simply choosing the shortest course.

How Long Is an Emergency First Aid at Work Course?

An Emergency First Aid at Work, EFAW, course is normally completed in:

1 day

The regulated EFAW qualification has a minimum of 6 guided learning hours.

This gives learners time to develop and demonstrate the essential practical skills needed to respond to common workplace first aid emergencies.

At First Aid and Safety Training, EFAW is practical from the start.

Learners do not simply sit and watch a presentation. They practise the actions they may need if somebody becomes seriously ill or injured at work.

What Do You Learn on a One-Day EFAW Course?

Although EFAW is completed in a single day, it covers important emergency first aid skills.

These include:

• Understanding the role and responsibilities of a first aider
• Assessing an incident
• Assessing a casualty
• Managing an unresponsive casualty
• CPR
• Using an AED
• Choking
• External bleeding
• Shock
• Minor injuries

Practical training is an important part of the course.

Learners need opportunities to perform CPR, practise using an AED trainer and demonstrate appropriate first aid skills.

That is very different from simply watching an online first aid video.

Is One Day of First Aid Training Enough?

It can be, when EFAW is the appropriate qualification for the workplace.

A one-day course should not automatically be viewed as inferior to a three-day course.

EFAW has a different purpose.

For some lower-risk workplaces, an employer’s first aid needs assessment may identify EFAW as an appropriate level of training.

Other workplaces require first aiders with a broader range of skills.

The question is therefore not:

“Is one day enough to learn first aid?”

A better question is:

“Does EFAW provide the level of first aid training our workplace requires?”

That decision should come from the needs assessment.

How Long Is a First Aid at Work Course?

The full First Aid at Work, FAW, qualification is normally completed over:

3 days

The regulated FAW qualification has a minimum of 18 guided learning hours.

Those additional hours allow the course to cover a much wider range of workplace injuries and illnesses than EFAW.

Learners also have more time to practise casualty management and demonstrate their first aid skills.

What Do You Learn During a Three-Day FAW Course?

FAW includes the emergency first aid skills found within EFAW and then develops them further.

Training covers areas including:

• Assessing incidents and casualties
• CPR
• AED use
• Unconsciousness
• Choking
• External bleeding
• Shock
• Minor injuries
• Burns and scalds
• Fractures
• Head injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Chest injuries
• Eye injuries
• Poisoning
• Anaphylaxis
• Asthma
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Seizures

This wider syllabus explains why the full FAW qualification requires considerably more time than EFAW.

Why Does FAW Take Three Days?

The additional two days are not simply extra classroom time.

FAW prepares learners for a broader range of situations.

Consider the difference between dealing with a small cut and managing a casualty who has suffered a serious head injury.

Or recognising that someone feels unwell compared with identifying the signs of a stroke.

A workplace first aider may need to assess what has happened, identify serious warning signs, provide appropriate first aid and continue monitoring the casualty while professional medical help is on the way.

Those skills take time to teach, practise and assess.

EFAW vs FAW: What’s the Difference in Course Duration?

The simplest comparison is:

Qualification	Typical duration	Guided learning hours
Emergency First Aid at Work, EFAW	1 day	Minimum 6 hours
First Aid at Work, FAW	3 days	Minimum 18 hours

FAW therefore involves around three times the guided learning time of EFAW.

The difference reflects the additional subjects and broader level of first aid competence expected from an FAW-qualified first aider.

Is EFAW Day One of FAW?

There is significant overlap because FAW includes the emergency first aid knowledge and skills associated with EFAW.

However, businesses should avoid thinking of FAW as simply:

“EFAW plus another two days.”

FAW is a complete qualification with its own learning outcomes and assessment requirements.

Learners completing FAW work towards the full FAW qualification.

Someone completing EFAW is working towards the separate EFAW qualification.

This distinction matters when an employer’s needs assessment identifies which qualification is required.

Which Is Better, EFAW or FAW?

Neither qualification is automatically “better”.

The important question is which one is appropriate for your workplace.

A small, lower-risk office may have very different first aid needs from:

• A construction company
• An engineering business
• A manufacturing facility
• A warehouse
• A large distribution centre
• A workplace using dangerous machinery
• A remote working environment

FAW provides broader training, but that does not mean every employee or every business automatically requires FAW.

Equally, choosing EFAW simply because it only takes one day is not appropriate if the workplace needs assessment identifies a requirement for more comprehensive training.

How Does an Employer Decide Between EFAW and FAW?

Employers should carry out a first aid needs assessment.

The assessment should consider factors such as:

• The nature of the work
• Workplace hazards
• Number of employees
• Previous accidents and incidents
• Likely injuries and illnesses
• Working patterns
• Shift work
• Lone workers
• Multiple buildings or work areas
• Employees working remotely
• Distance from emergency medical assistance
• Holidays and sickness among first aiders
• Employees with particular needs

The findings help determine the appropriate level of first aid provision.

Our guide to the legal requirement for first aid at work explains this process in more detail.

Does a Low-Risk Workplace Only Need EFAW?

Not automatically.

HSE guidance uses workplace risk and employee numbers to help employers consider suitable first aid provision, but its suggested numbers are not universal statutory ratios.

A lower-risk workplace may identify EFAW as appropriate.

However, other circumstances could change the outcome.

For example, the organisation may have:

• A large workforce
• Multiple floors
• Several buildings
• Shift workers
• Employees working alone
• Remote locations
• Particular medical risks

This is why the needs assessment remains important.

Avoid choosing the qualification solely from a description such as “low risk” or “high risk”.

Does a Higher-Risk Workplace Need FAW?

FAW is commonly appropriate for workplaces where the needs assessment identifies more significant risks or a requirement for broader first aid competence.

HSE guidance also recognises that some workplaces may need additional training beyond standard EFAW or FAW.

Imagine an engineering business where severe trauma or life-threatening bleeding is a foreseeable risk.

The employer might identify FAW as the appropriate core qualification while also deciding that first aiders would benefit from additional training relevant to catastrophic bleeding.

At FAST, for example, we can add Catastrophic Bleeding training to appropriate onsite workplace training.

The objective is to match training to the actual risk.

Can FAW Be Completed in Less Than Three Days?

A full regulated FAW qualification still needs to meet its required learning and assessment requirements.

Some approved qualifications may use blended learning.

This allows an appropriate part of the learning to be completed remotely before the learner attends face-to-face practical training and assessment.

Blended learning can reduce the amount of time spent physically in a classroom.

It does not turn an 18-hour qualification into a few hours of training.

The required learning still needs to take place.

Practical skills also need appropriate face-to-face teaching and assessment.

Can EFAW Be Completed Online?

Be careful when comparing an online course with a regulated EFAW qualification.

There are plenty of online courses advertised using terms such as:

Emergency First Aid

Workplace First Aid

First Aid Awareness

They may provide useful knowledge.

However, completing an online course is not automatically equivalent to achieving a regulated EFAW qualification involving practical skills and assessment.

CPR demonstrates the difference particularly well.

You can learn the theory of CPR online.

You can watch somebody demonstrate chest compressions.

You can answer questions about compression rate and depth.

But none of those things demonstrates that you can actually perform CPR effectively on a manikin.

Practical first aid needs practical training.

Do You Have to Complete FAW Over Three Consecutive Days?

Not necessarily.

Multi-day first aid training can sometimes be scheduled across separate days, provided the delivery arrangement meets the requirements of the qualification.

This can be useful for employers who find it difficult to release key staff for three consecutive working days.

For example, training may be arranged around:

• Shift patterns
• Operational requirements
• Staffing levels
• Different working days

The important point is that changing the schedule must not reduce the required learning or assessment.

If you need a particular delivery arrangement, discuss it with the training provider before booking.

How Long Is FAW Requalification?

If someone already holds an appropriate FAW qualification and needs to renew it, the FAW Requalification course is normally:

2 days

The requalification course has a minimum of 12 guided learning hours.

This is shorter than the initial three-day qualification because the learner has previously completed FAW and is returning to refresh, update and demonstrate their competence.

However, eligibility requirements apply.

Do not assume that someone whose FAW certificate expired a long time ago can simply attend the shorter requalification course.

Arrange renewal training before the qualification expires wherever possible.

How Long Does an EFAW Qualification Last?

An EFAW qualification is normally valid for:

3 years

At the end of that period, the person needs to complete the appropriate training to remain qualified.

Do not confuse certificate validity with course duration.

The course takes one day.

The resulting qualification normally lasts three years.

How Long Does an FAW Qualification Last?

FAW is also normally valid for:

3 years

A qualified workplace first aider therefore needs to keep track of the certificate expiry date and complete the appropriate requalification before it becomes a problem for workplace first aid cover.

Employers should maintain training records rather than relying on individual first aiders to remember their own expiry dates.

Do First Aiders Need Training Every Year?

HSE strongly recommends annual refresher training for people holding FAW and EFAW qualifications.

This helps first aiders maintain their practical skills during the three-year qualification period.

A refresher might revisit:

• CPR
• AED use
• Casualty assessment
• Choking
• Recovery position
• Other essential emergency skills

Annual refresher training does not extend the expiry date of an EFAW or FAW qualification.

That is why it is important to understand the difference between refresher training and requalification.

How Long Does Annual Refresher Training Take?

Annual workplace first aid refresher training is commonly around:

Half a day

It is deliberately shorter than EFAW, FAW or FAW Requalification because it is not a replacement qualification.

Its purpose is to help existing first aiders maintain skills and confidence.

First aiders may go months or even years without dealing with a serious emergency.

Regular practical training can therefore be extremely valuable.

Can We Train Several Employees at the Same Time?

Yes.

Onsite workplace training allows several employees to complete the same qualification together.

At First Aid and Safety Training, our EFAW and FAW courses can accommodate up to 12 learners.

The course duration does not reduce because more people attend.

An EFAW course for 12 learners is still a one-day qualification.

FAW remains a three-day qualification.

What changes is the way the business organises and pays for the training.

For larger groups, onsite delivery can often be more cost-effective than purchasing individual places on separate open courses.

Our guide to how much a first aid course costs in the UK explains open and onsite pricing in more detail.

How Much Does EFAW Cost?

At First Aid and Safety Training, our current open-course guide price for EFAW is approximately:

£97 per learner

Businesses can also arrange onsite EFAW training for up to 12 learners.

Our current guide price is approximately:

£800 for an onsite EFAW course

Where the workplace needs assessment identifies an appropriate requirement, Catastrophic Bleeding training can be added for approximately £100.

Prices can change, so always check the current course information or request a quotation before booking.

How Much Does FAW Cost?

Our current open-course guide price for the full three-day FAW qualification is approximately:

£267 per learner

For onsite FAW training, we use a minimum group size of six learners with additional learners charged at the relevant rate.

The current maximum course price is approximately:

£2,470 for up to 12 learners

For organisations with several employees requiring FAW, onsite delivery can therefore offer both practical and financial advantages.

Should We Train More People on EFAW or Fewer People on FAW?

This is a question employers sometimes ask when considering training costs and staff availability.

There is no universal answer.

Training six employees on EFAW does not automatically replace a requirement for FAW if the needs assessment identifies that broader competence is required.

Likewise, having one FAW-qualified employee may not provide adequate cover if that person is regularly unavailable.

Think about both:

Level of training

and

Availability of trained people

Imagine a workplace needs FAW-level provision but relies on one qualified person.

What happens when they take annual leave?

Alternatively, an organisation may have several EFAW-qualified employees but face hazards requiring a broader range of first aid competence.

Numbers and qualification level need to work together.

What Happens If Our First Aider Is Away for Three Days Attending FAW Training?

This is something employers should consider before arranging the course.

Sending an existing first aider away for training does not remove the employer’s responsibility to maintain appropriate first aid arrangements.

If that person currently provides essential cover, think about how the workplace will be covered during their training.

The same applies to:

• Annual leave
• Sickness
• Meetings
• Offsite work
• Shift changes
• Other training

This is another reason businesses often benefit from training more than one person.

Should I Choose a One-Day or Three-Day First Aid Course?

Start with your needs assessment.

Choose EFAW where the assessment identifies that emergency workplace first aid training provides the appropriate level of cover.

Choose FAW where more comprehensive first aid competence is required.

Do not select EFAW simply because:

“We can only spare somebody for one day.”

Equally, do not automatically book FAW because:

“Three days must be better than one.”

The appropriate qualification is the one that matches the needs of the workplace.

What If I Don’t Know Which Course We Need?

You do not need to guess.

Start by considering the workplace.

What work do employees perform?

What could realistically injure someone?

How many people work there?

Are they all in one location?

Do you operate shifts?

Does anybody work alone?

How quickly could emergency medical help arrive?

What accidents have happened previously?

What medical emergencies might reasonably occur?

Once you understand those factors, deciding between EFAW, FAW and additional training becomes much easier.

You can also read our broader guide to how long a first aid course takes if you want to compare workplace training with Paediatric First Aid and other first aid courses.

EFAW vs FAW at a Glance

	EFAW	FAW
Full name	Emergency First Aid at Work	First Aid at Work
Typical duration	1 day	3 days
Minimum guided learning	6 hours	18 hours
Qualification validity	3 years	3 years
Training scope	Essential workplace emergencies	More comprehensive workplace first aid
Practical assessment	Yes	Yes
FAST maximum class size	12	12
FAST open-course guide price	Approx. £97	Approx. £267
Regulated FAST qualification	Qualsafe Awards	Qualsafe Awards

The table makes the difference in duration clear.

However, course length alone should never determine which qualification an employer chooses.

Are FAST EFAW and FAW Courses Regulated Qualifications?

Yes.

First Aid and Safety Training is an approved Qualsafe Awards Centre.

Our relevant EFAW and FAW courses lead to Qualsafe Awards regulated qualifications.

Qualsafe Awards is an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation.

FAST delivers and assesses the training in accordance with the awarding organisation’s requirements rather than simply creating our own first aid certificate.

For employers comparing training providers, this is worth checking.

Two courses can have similar names without necessarily leading to the same type of qualification.

How Long Is a First Aid at Work Course? The Simple Answer

If you are asking how long is a First Aid at Work course, the simple answer is:

FAW – normally 3 days

If you only require Emergency First Aid at Work:

EFAW – normally 1 day

For an existing FAW-qualified first aider renewing their qualification:

FAW Requalification – normally 2 days

The correct option depends on the training your workplace actually needs.

Rather than starting with “How quickly can we get someone qualified?”, start with:

“What level of first aid provision would work if someone became seriously ill or injured here today?”

That question is much more likely to lead to the right training decision.

Book EFAW or FAW Training

First Aid and Safety Training provides practical workplace first aid training for individuals and organisations across the North East.

Our EFAW and FAW courses are delivered through our approved Qualsafe Awards Centre, providing successful learners with regulated qualifications.

If you only need one or two people trained, an open course may be the simplest option.

For businesses training larger groups, we can deliver onsite training for up to 12 learners at your workplace.

You can explore our first aid training courses, book a first aid course or contact First Aid and Safety Training to discuss which qualification is appropriate for your organisation.

You can also find First Aid and Safety Training on Google and see our business information and customer reviews.