The Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) is a nationally recognised, one-day workplace first aid qualification. It sits on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), meets the Health and Safety Executive (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, and gives learners the practical skills to act as a designated first aider providing essential emergency first aid until professional help arrives.
This guide covers what the EFAW course involves, who needs it, how long it lasts, what it costs, how long the certificate stays valid, and how it compares to the full Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work.
What Is the Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)?
In short: it’s a one-day, HSE-compliant qualification that trains a workplace first aider to recognise an emergency, act quickly, and provide basic life support and casualty management until further help arrives.
EFAW is one of the two main workplace first aid qualifications recognised under HSE guidance (the other being the more comprehensive Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work). It’s designed for lower-risk workplaces, or as the minimum first-aid provision required by many employers, and is delivered as a single day of combined practical and theoretical training.
Who Needs the Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course?
All employers in the UK are legally required to have adequate first aid provision for their employees. The Level 3 EFAW course is aimed at:
- Employees being appointed as a workplace first aider in a lower-risk environment (offices, retail, hospitality, and similar settings)
- Anyone who needs a recognised, HSE-compliant qualification to satisfy their employer’s first aid provision requirements
- Voluntary and community organisations that need at least one trained first aider present
Entry is at the discretion of the training centre, but learners should generally be aged 16 or over to undertake this qualification.
What Does the Level 3 EFAW Course Cover?
The course covers a single mandatory unit built around recognising and responding to workplace emergencies. Typical content includes:
- The roles and responsibilities of a first aider, including how to act quickly and effectively, and when to call for professional help
- Assessing an incident safely and managing an unresponsive casualty
- Basic life support, including CPR and use of an AED where available
- Managing choking, shock, and minor injuries such as small wounds, bruises, and splinters
- Recognising when a casualty needs urgent medical attention
Assessment combines practical demonstration of first aid skills with a short theoretical check, so learners leave with both the knowledge and the confidence to act in a real emergency.
How Long Is the Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course?
The Level 3 EFAW course is delivered in a single day, combining classroom-based learning with hands-on practical assessment making it one of the quickest routes to becoming a qualified workplace first aider.
What Is Level 3 First Aid Equivalent To? EFAW vs Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work
The Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work sits at the same RQF level as the fuller Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work, but covers a narrower range of emergency scenarios in a single day rather than a full multi-day course. The full First Aid at Work qualification covers a wider range of first aid situations including anaphylaxis, defibrillation, and more complex casualty management and is typically required for higher-risk workplaces or where an employer’s risk assessment calls for a fully appointed first aider rather than an emergency first aider.
Different Ofqual-recognised awarding organisations offer their own version of this RQF qualification, so if you’re comparing options, the important checks are whether the course is regulated (listed on the Ofqual register with a valid Qualification Reference Number) and whether it meets current HSE guidance rather than which specific awarding body issued it.
How Long Does an EFAW Certificate Last?
A Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work certificate is typically valid for 3 years from the date of achievement. Employers are expected to ensure their first aiders complete a refresher course and requalify before their certificate expires, so their first aid provision remains valid and HSE-compliant.
Can I Do the Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course Online?
The practical skills covered by EFAW CPR, casualty management, use of an AED must be demonstrated in person, so this qualification cannot be completed entirely online. However, many training providers offer a blended format, where some theory is covered through online pre-course learning, with the practical assessment day still delivered in a classroom or onsite at your workplace.
How Much Does the Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course Cost?
Course cost varies by training provider, location, and whether the course is delivered at a training centre or onsite at your own premises for a group of employees. There’s no single fixed national price, so always confirm exactly what’s included certification, materials, and any group discount for onsite bookings before booking.
Emergency First Aid at Work in Scotland and Across the UK
Regulated first aid qualifications are recognised UK-wide, though the regulator differs by nation Ofqual in England, SQA Accreditation in Scotland, Qualifications Wales, and CCEA in Northern Ireland. Whether you’re based in Scotland or anywhere else in the UK, the important thing to check is that your course sits on the relevant national qualifications framework and meets current HSE (or equivalent) requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work?
It’s a one-day, HSE-compliant workplace first aid qualification that trains employees to recognise an emergency and provide basic life support and casualty management until professional help arrives.
What is Level 3 first aid equivalent to?
EFAW sits at the same RQF level as the Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work, but covers a narrower range of scenarios in one day rather than the fuller multi-day course.
What is a Level 3 emergency first aid at work qualification from a different awarding organisation?
Several Ofqual-recognised awarding organisations offer their own version of this RQF qualification. Whichever provider you choose, check it’s regulated with a valid Qualification Reference Number and meets current HSE guidance.
How long does Level 3 first aid at work last?
A Level 3 EFAW certificate is typically valid for 3 years, after which a refresher/requalification course is needed.
Can I complete the EFAW course online?
The practical skills must be demonstrated in person, so the course can’t be completed fully online, though some providers offer blended pre-course theory.
Is Emergency First Aid at Work available in Scotland?
Yes, regulated first aid qualifications are available UK-wide, with Scotland’s provision overseen by SQA Accreditation rather than Ofqual.
Get in Touch with Focus Awards
To find out more or to get in touch, visit our contact page or explore our qualification development services if you need a bespoke qualification developed for your organisation.
You can explore our full range of qualifications on our website at https://focusawards.org.uk/qualification/ or contact us directly at info@focusawards.org.uk or on 0333 3447 388.
