First Aid Training Requirements in Ireland

For the full legal picture — first-aider numbers by headcount, kit contents and signage — see our Irish Workplace First Aid Regulations guide. This page focuses on the training question specifically: which course, how long, and how to keep it current.

Also recognised for occupational first aid: Emergency First Responder, Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, and Advanced Paramedic qualifications — these exceed the FAR minimum rather than substitute a different standard.

See our FAR First Aid Responder course page for full topics and booking.

Hayes First Aid runs several first aid training courses. They are not interchangeable — each is built for a different purpose, and only one satisfies the workplace occupational first-aider standard.

We also run self-paced online eLearning courses — see Section 04 for how those fit in.

Hayes First Aid also offers self-paced online courses through our eLearning platform — a general-awareness option alongside the in-person PHECC courses above.

Browse all three on our online courses page.

• Nominating your legally required occupational first-aider(s)? FAR is the standard course to book.
• Want AED/CPR-focused training for volunteers or community responders, outside a workplace first-aider role? CFR is the shorter, community-focused course.
• Running a sports club or pitch-side setting and want a general first-aid awareness course? EFA covers accident scene management and sport-specific scenarios, but note it isn't PHECC-certified and doesn't satisfy the occupational first-aider standard on its own.
• Need a higher level of clinical training for a higher-risk or remote/lone-worker setting? EFR goes beyond FAR, but requires a current PHECC CFR C certificate first.

If you're not sure which applies to your workplace, get in touch — see Section 09.

A FAR certificate is valid for 2 years. Recertifying before it lapses is a shorter 2-day (12-hour) course rather than the full 3-day initial training — book your recertification with time to spare, since training providers get busier as certificates approach their expiry date.

The workplace must keep written training records for its first-aiders — this is part of demonstrating compliance, not just good practice.

PHECC-certified courses (FAR, EFR, CFR) can only be delivered by a PHECC Recognised Institution (RI) or Approved Training Institution (ATI) — not any trainer or company can issue a valid PHECC certificate. Hayes First Aid's training team delivers PHECC-accredited courses at your own premises, as agreed in advance.

What training satisfies the legal minimum for a workplace first-aider in Ireland?

PHECC First Aid Response (FAR) is the recognised minimum training standard since the HSA's December 2024 guidelines. It replaced the previous Occupational First Aid Level 5 course.

How long does FAR training take and how long is it valid?

FAR initial training is 3 days (18 hours). The certificate is valid for 2 years, after which a 2-day (12-hour) recertification course is required.

What's the difference between FAR, EFR and CFR training?

FAR (3 days) is the workplace occupational first-aider standard. EFR (4 days) is a more advanced PHECC course and requires a current PHECC CFR C certificate as a prerequisite. CFR (1 day) is a community first responder course aimed at volunteer AED responders, not workplace occupational first aid.

Do I need to redo the full course to recertify?

No. FAR recertification is a shorter 2-day (12-hour) course rather than the 3-day initial course, provided your certificate hasn't lapsed.

Do the online eLearning courses satisfy the legal workplace training requirement?

No. Our online courses (First Aid Awareness, Manual Handling Awareness, Sports First Aid Awareness) are self-paced general awareness training. They are not PHECC-accredited and do not satisfy the S.I. No. 299 of 2007 occupational first-aider training requirement, which needs PHECC First Aid Response (FAR).