Your Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate is about to run out, or already has. You want to stay qualified, and you want to know what it will cost. Is there a cheaper renewal course? A shorter one? A special price for people who have done it before?
The clear answer is that an EFAW renewal is normally the same one day course as the original, and it usually costs about the same. In this guide, we explain how renewal works in plain English, what prices we found in London in 2026, how it differs from First Aid at Work renewal, what happens if you let your certificate expire and how to save money. If you want to see a real course page as you read, here is the Emergency First Aid at Work course in London.
The Short Answer
To renew an EFAW certificate, you retake the course. There is no shorter or cheaper official renewal route for EFAW. Because of that, the cost of renewing in London is usually the same as the cost of a first time EFAW course, which we found commonly ranges from about £65 to £150 per person in 2026, depending on the provider, venue and whether VAT is included.
Some providers may offer a loyalty rate, a group rate or a quick booking offer for returning learners. It is always worth asking, but you should not assume it exists.
How EFAW Renewal Works
An EFAW certificate is valid for three years. After that, you need to be assessed again to stay qualified. For the Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, the renewal course follows the same format as the original. An awarding organisation that publishes guidance on this says that to re qualify, learners must be assessed against all learning outcomes and assessment criteria, and that for EFAW this is the same as the initial six hour course.
In plain English, that means:
- You attend a full one day course again.
- It includes at least six hours of training time, not counting breaks, according to HSE guidance.
- You practise the key skills and are assessed in person.
- You receive a new certificate valid for three years.
There is no shortcut that skips the day.
What We Found About Renewal Prices in London
Because renewal is the same course, the best guide to the cost is the normal price of an EFAW course. In London in 2026, we saw a range of public prices.
- Some listings were around £65 per person.
- Others were around £80.
- One showed £90 plus VAT, which came to £108 in total.
- Some central London listings were higher, at £138 and £149.
- One London training provider listed its Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work at £85 per person for an individual booking at its training centre, with prices from £64 per person for a full on site course of 12 learners. It said no VAT was charged, and that the price included learner registration, an e certificate, a CPR face shield and a course booklet.
- One London borough adult learning service listed the course at £75 per person, or £750 to run a one day session at your own premises.
One provider page, linked above, lists £89 per person for classroom training and £75 per person for groups of five or more, at the time of writing in October 2026. Prices change, so always confirm the current amount before you book.
Why Renewal Costs the Same as a First Course
It can feel unfair to pay full price again. But there is a reason. The renewal course is not a quick top up. It covers the whole syllabus, uses the same trainer time and venue, needs the same equipment and requires the same assessment and certificate registration. For the provider, the costs are the same, so the price is usually the same.
EFAW Renewal vs First Aid at Work Renewal
People often mix these up, because First Aid at Work (FAW) has a shorter renewal route. Here is the difference.
EFAW renewal
- One day, the same as the original course.
- Priced like a normal EFAW course.
FAW requalification
- A two day course, for people whose First Aid at Work certificate is still valid.
- Shorter than the original three day course, so it usually costs less than the full FAW price.
- One London provider listed a Level 3 First Aid at Work requalification at £120 per person for an individual booking, or from £100 per person for a full course.
Important: the requalification route is only available to people who hold a current First Aid at Work certificate. If you hold an Emergency First Aid at Work certificate and want to move up, you would need the full three day First Aid at Work course, not a requalification.
What About Annual Refreshers?
HSE recommends that first aiders take a short refresher each year to keep their skills fresh, although it is not a legal rule. Refreshers are usually cheaper than a full course. For example, one London provider listed a half day annual refresher for First Aid at Work at £50 per person for individuals, or from £40 per person for a full on site course.
But there is an important point about refreshers. Some providers state clearly that annual refreshers do not extend your certificate’s validity. You must still complete the full renewal before your three year certificate expires. So a refresher is a good habit, but it does not replace the renewal.
What Happens If Your Certificate Expires?
If your EFAW certificate runs out, you are no longer qualified as an emergency first aider until you retake the course. For EFAW, the practical effect is simple: you book and attend the full one day course, just as you would for a first time course. You do not usually face a penalty fee, but you may have a gap in cover at work.
For employers, that gap matters. Under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, employers must provide adequate and appropriate first aid for their employees. If your workplace relies on you as a first aider, an expired certificate can leave a hole in cover. This is why it is wise to renew before the date.
When Should You Renew?
A good rule is to book your renewal a month or two before your certificate expires. This gives you time to find a date that suits you, avoids a rush and means there is no gap. Some practical tips:
- Put the expiry date in your calendar, with a reminder two months before.
- Check how many course dates are available in the weeks before expiry.
- Ask your provider whether your new certificate will run for three years from the new course date or from the old expiry date. This depends on the rules of the awarding organisation and the provider, so ask before you book.
- Tell your employer, so that cover and paid time can be planned.
What Does Renewal Cost Over Time?
It helps to think of the course fee as a repeating cost. Using the £89 price listed on the provider page above as an example, a renewal every three years costs about £30 a year, or about £2.50 a month. If you add an optional yearly refresher, the average rises a little, depending on the refresher price.
For an employer, here is an illustration using the group rate of £75 per person listed on the same page, with five first aiders.
- Course fees: 5 x £75 = £375
- Assumed staff time at £120 per person per day: 5 x £120 = £600
- Total: about £975 every three years
That is about £325 a year for five trained first aiders. These numbers are illustrations only, and your own costs will differ.
Who Pays for Renewal?
If your employer needs you to remain a first aider, it is reasonable to expect them to pay for renewal and give you paid time, just as they did for the original course. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 says employers must not charge employees for things provided because of a specific requirement of health and safety law. Whether this applies to your case can depend on the facts, so check with HR, Acas or your union if you are unsure.
If you are self employed, you pay yourself. Training costs related directly to your business may be allowable as a business expense, but the rules depend on your situation, so ask an accountant.
Ways to Save on Renewal
Here are sensible ways to reduce the cost.
- Book as a group. Many providers offer a lower price per person for groups, commonly from around five people. One provider lists £75 per person for groups of five or more.
- Train at your workplace. The provider comes to you, which saves travel time and can be good value for teams.
- Ask about returning learner rates. Some providers offer a discount for people who trained with them before.
- Compare total prices. Include VAT and extras. A course shown at £90 plus VAT costs £108.
- Look at colleges and adult learning services. Some borough services price courses at a lower level.
- Book early. Some providers adjust prices for demand, and early booking gives you more choice of dates.
- Ask your employer to pay. This is often the best saving of all.
- Check what is included. A free resit, certificate and materials add value.
Does the Renewal Course Teach Anything New?
Yes, usually. Guidance on first aid changes over time, and good trainers keep up with it. Your renewal is also a chance to practise skills that may have faded. The course covers how to assess an incident safely, give adult CPR, use an AED, place someone in the recovery position, help a choking adult, control serious bleeding, manage shock and treat minor injuries. Many people say they feel more confident the second time, because they have real experience to link to the training.
Choosing a Good Provider for Renewal
The standards are the same as for a first course. Look for:
- A regulated Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF) from a recognised awarding organisation.
- At least six hours of training time, not counting breaks.
- Practical training and in person assessment.
- Qualified, experienced trainers.
- Sensible class sizes. Many awarding organisations set a maximum of around 12 learners per trainer.
- A clear total price including VAT.
- A quick, clear certificate process.
HSE stopped approving training providers in 2013, so you need to check for yourself. Be cautious of any course claiming to be HSE approved, and of online only offers, which do not meet HSE expectations for a workplace first aider.
You can review the Emergency First Aid at Work training page to see how one provider presents its price, group rate and booking options, and use the same checks when you compare others.
How Many First Aiders Should You Keep Current?
Renewal is a good moment to review your needs. As a starting point for low hazard workplaces, HSE suggests at least one appointed person for fewer than 25 employees, at least one first aider trained in Emergency First Aid at Work for 25 to 50 employees, and at least one first aider trained in First Aid at Work for every 100 employees above that, or part of 100. Higher hazard workplaces need more. A first aid needs assessment gives the best answer. Many employers also keep an extra trained person to cover holidays and sickness, and stagger renewals so not everyone expires at once.
Why London Offers Plenty of Choice
London has a very large number of providers, venues and dates, so you can usually find a renewal course close to home or work, on a weekday or at a weekend. Many providers also deliver training at your workplace. With so many options, it pays to compare total prices and what is included.
Final Thoughts
So, how much does an EFAW renewal cost in London? In practice, it costs the same as a first time EFAW course, because renewal means retaking the full one day course. In 2026, we found that prices commonly range from about £65 to £150 per person, with one provider page listing £89 per person and £75 per person for groups of five or more. Refreshers are cheaper, but they do not extend your certificate.
Plan ahead, book a month or two before your certificate expires, ask about group or returning learner rates and compare the total price. When you are ready, take a look at the Emergency First Aid at Work course in London and choose a date that suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does it cost to renew an EFAW certificate in London?
Renewal means retaking the one day course, so the cost is usually the same as a first time course. In 2026, public prices in London commonly range from about £65 to £150 per person, depending on the provider, venue and VAT. One provider page lists £89 per person.
2. Is there a shorter or cheaper renewal course for EFAW?
Not officially. For Emergency First Aid at Work, renewal follows the same format as the original six hour course. Some providers may offer returning learner or group rates, so it is worth asking.
3. How long does an EFAW renewal course take?
It is a one day course. HSE guidance says it should include at least six hours of training time, not counting breaks.
4. How long is the renewed certificate valid?
A renewed EFAW certificate is valid for three years. Ask your provider whether the three years run from the new course date or from your old expiry date, because this depends on the rules that apply.
5. What happens if my EFAW certificate expires?
You are no longer qualified until you retake the course. For EFAW, that means booking the full one day course again. There may be a gap in first aid cover at work, so it is wise to renew before the expiry date.
6. Do annual refreshers renew my certificate?
No. HSE recommends a yearly refresher, although it is not a legal rule, but a refresher does not extend your certificate. You must still retake the full course before your three year certificate expires.
7. Is First Aid at Work requalification the same as EFAW renewal?
No. First Aid at Work requalification is a shorter two day route for people whose FAW certificate is still valid. EFAW renewal is the same one day course as the original. If you hold only an EFAW certificate and want to upgrade, you need the full three day First Aid at Work course.
8. Who pays for renewal, me or my employer?
If your employer needs you to remain a first aider, it is reasonable to expect them to pay for the course and give you paid time. Check your contract and ask HR, Acas or your union if you are unsure. Self employed people pay themselves.
9. How can I pay less when I renew?
Book as a group, ask for training at your workplace, ask about returning learner discounts, compare the total price including VAT, book early and ask your employer to pay.
10. Where can I renew my Emergency First Aid at Work certificate in London?
You can book through a training provider that offers the regulated qualification, either as a public course or as training at your workplace. Check the total price, what is included and the awarding organisation before you book.
