Level 3 First Aid Course: Which One Do You Need?

What is a Level 3 first aid course?

A Level 3 first aid course is a regulated first aid qualification that trains you to deal with real emergencies, from a colleague collapsing at work to a child choking at nursery. “Level 3” is not the name of one course. It is the level the qualification sits at on the national framework, and several quite different courses share it.

A care home manager and a nursery owner might both search for a Level 3 first aid course and need very different things. This guide explains the Level 3 courses we run at our training centre in Warmley, near Bristol, what the law expects of you and how to pick the right one.

What does “Level 3” actually mean?

In England, qualifications are grouped into levels from Entry level up to Level 8. Level 3 is the same level as an A level or a T Level, according to the government’s list of qualification levels.

For first aid, the level is about the depth of what you learn and how you’re assessed. You don’t need A levels to join, and most people on our courses have never done first aid before. You do need to be 16 or over for Qualsafe accredited courses, and fit enough to kneel on the floor and give chest compressions.

Level 2 vs Level 3 first aid

Shorter courses, like basic life support for adults or anaphylaxis training, teach one skill well. Where short courses like these lead to a qualification, it is usually at Level 2. Level 3 courses go further. They teach you to take charge of an emergency, check a casualty properly and treat a wider range of injuries and illnesses.

	Level 2 first aid	Level 3 first aid
Typical length	Half a day to one day	One to five days
What it covers	One skill or a short set of basics, such as CPR and using a defibrillator	Managing an incident from start to finish, plus a wide range of injuries and illnesses
Who it suits	Staff who want awareness, volunteers, parents	Workplace first aiders, early years staff, first responders
Meets workplace first aider requirements?	Only if your needs assessment says it is enough	Yes, EFAW and FAW follow the HSE syllabus

[Image: An Acorn trainer showing a small group of adults how to give CPR on a manikin in a bright training room. Alt: Level 3 first aid course delegates practising CPR on a manikin near Bristol]

Which Level 3 first aid course do you need?

Here are the Level 3 first aid courses we run, side by side. Prices are per person for open courses at our Warmley centre and exclude VAT. On-site courses are quoted per job.

Course	Length	Best for	Price
Emergency First Aid at Work (FA01)	1 day (6 hours)	Lower risk workplaces such as offices and shops	£105
First Aid at Work (FA02)	3 days (18 hours)	Higher risk workplaces such as construction, manufacturing and care	£237
First Aid at Work Re-Qualification (FA03)	2 days	Renewing a First Aid at Work certificate before it runs out	£175
Paediatric First Aid (FA06)	12 hours over 2 days	Nurseries, childminders, schools	Ask us
Outdoor First Aid with Paediatric (FA08)	16 hours	Forest schools and outdoor leaders	Ask us
FREC 3 (FA16)	5 days	First responders, security and high risk roles	Ask us

Emergency First Aid at Work (Level 3)

Emergency First Aid at Work, or EFAW, is the one day option. HSE says it must involve at least six hours of training over a minimum of one day. It covers what to do in the first few minutes of an emergency: the role of a first aider, CPR and safe use of a defibrillator, choking, bleeding and shock, and minor injuries like cuts and burns. Our course also covers catastrophic bleeding, including tourniquets and haemostatic dressings.

It suits lower risk workplaces like offices and shops, or as extra cover alongside a fully trained first aider. Read more about our Emergency First Aid at Work course.

First Aid at Work (Level 3)

First Aid at Work, or FAW, is the full three day course. It includes everything in EFAW, then adds injuries and illnesses such as fractures, head and eye injuries, poisoning, asthma, anaphylaxis, stroke and heart attack. HSE says it must be at least 18 hours over a minimum of three days.

Book FAW if your work involves machinery, heights, chemicals or vulnerable people, or if you have a large team. That covers most construction and trades, manufacturing and engineering and health and social care settings. See our First Aid at Work course for dates and the full outline.

Level 3 paediatric first aid

Our Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid is a 12 hour course over two days, accredited by Qualsafe Awards. It is built around babies and children, from infant and child CPR and choking to the illnesses and injuries young children are most likely to have.

It is aimed at registered childminders, nursery and pre-school staff, and teaching staff who need to meet Ofsted and Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements. If you run a setting, our childcare and education pages show the other training we provide.

[Image: A nursery practitioner practising infant CPR on a baby manikin while a trainer watches. Alt: Level 3 paediatric first aid course trainee practising infant CPR]

Outdoor and forest school first aid

If you work with children outdoors, our 16 hour Outdoor First Aid course includes the QA Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF), plus extra content for outdoor settings, where help can take longer to arrive and you have to work with the kit you are carrying.

FREC 3 (First Response Emergency Care)

FREC 3 is a step above workplace first aid. It is a five day, nationally recognised and regulated qualification in pre-hospital emergency care, and the certificate is endorsed by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. It suits people with medical responsibility at work, staff in high risk roles such as security and law enforcement, and volunteers who respond to emergencies in the community, including at events.

It is also the first step for anyone aiming at higher level pre-hospital care. See our FREC 3 course page.

Does the law say you need a Level 3 first aid course?

Not in those words. The law says your first aid cover must suit your workplace, and for most employers that means a Level 3 first aid course for at least some staff.

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981

These regulations require employers to provide equipment, facilities and trained people that are “adequate and appropriate in the circumstances”. HSE’s guidance on the regulations (L74) explains that you work out what that means by doing a first aid needs assessment. It looks at your hazards, how many people you employ, how spread out they are, shift patterns and who else is on site.

We cover this in more detail in which first aid course does my workplace legally need? Our consultants can carry out a first aid needs assessment for you.

EYFS rules for nurseries, pre-schools and childminders

Early years settings have firmer rules. The EYFS statutory framework that applies from 1 September 2026 says:

• At least one person with a current, full paediatric first aid certificate must be on the premises and available whenever children are there, and must go on outings.
• Paediatric first aid training must be renewed every three years.
• Staff who gained a Level 2 or Level 3 childcare qualification since 30 June 2016 must get a paediatric first aid certificate within three months of starting work to count in staff to child ratios.
• A member of staff with a full paediatric first aid certificate must be in the room while children are eating.

A one day emergency course does not meet the full certificate rule. You need the full paediatric course.

Choosing a first aid training provider

Since 1 October 2013, HSE no longer approves first aid training providers. Instead, employers have to do their own checks, which HSE calls due diligence. HSE’s first aid training guidance says a good provider should be able to show you their trainer and assessor qualifications, how they monitor quality, and that they teach to current Resuscitation Council UK guidelines.

Acorn is a Qualsafe registered centre, an IOSH approved training provider and ISO 9001:2015 quality accredited. You can check all of our accreditations and memberships.

How to choose a Level 3 first aid course in 5 steps

1. Do your first aid needs assessment. Write down your hazards, staff numbers, sites and shifts. If you already have one, check it still matches how you work now.
2. Think about who could need help. Members of the public, young children, older people or people with health conditions all change what your first aiders need to know.
3. Match the risk to the course. Lower risk usually points to EFAW. Higher risk, larger teams or remote work usually points to FAW. Children in your care means paediatric first aid.
4. Plan for holidays and sickness. One first aider is not enough if they work part time or go on leave. Train enough people to cover every shift.
5. Check expiry dates. List every first aider and when their certificate runs out. Book requalification before that date, not after.

Not sure which course fits? Call us on 0117 958 2070 or send us a message and we’ll point you to the right Level 3 first aid course for your team.

What happens on a Level 3 first aid course?

Expect to spend more time on your knees than in your chair. Our trainers keep the theory short and the practice long.

What you’ll practise

• CPR on adult manikins (and infant and child manikins on paediatric courses)
• Using a training defibrillator
• Helping someone who is choking
• Putting someone in the recovery position
• Controlling heavy bleeding, including tourniquets and haemostatic dressings
• Recording incidents and knowing what to keep in your first aid kit

[Image: A delegate applying a bandage to another delegate’s arm while a trainer gives guidance. Alt: Delegate applying a bandage during a Level 3 first aid at work course]

How you’re assessed

Your trainer watches you carry out each practical skill during the course. Regulated courses usually also include a short written or multiple choice paper. If you join in and practise, you will be ready for it.

Training at our centre or at your workplace

Open courses run at our training centre at Tower Lane Business Park in Warmley, between Bristol and Bath. See how to find us and the latest open course dates.

If you have several people to train, it often works out cheaper and easier for us to come to you. We can also build the scenarios around your own site and risks with bespoke first aid training.

How long does a Level 3 first aid certificate last?

Most Level 3 first aid certificates last three years. HSE is clear that once a First Aid at Work certificate runs out, that person is no longer counted as a competent workplace first aider.

Certificate	Valid for	What to do next
First Aid at Work	3 years	Yearly annual refresher (half a day), then the 2 day re-qualification before it expires
Emergency First Aid at Work	3 years	Yearly refresher, then retake the 1 day course
Paediatric First Aid	3 years	EYFS says training must be renewed every three years
FREC 3	3 years	Book the FREC 3 requalification course

HSE strongly recommends a short refresher every year in between. It isn’t a legal requirement, but CPR skills fade quickly. Everyone who trains with us gets an automatic reminder before their certificate expires. For more detail, read how long does a first aid certificate last?

Level 3 first aid course FAQs

What is a Level 3 first aid course?

A Level 3 first aid course is a regulated first aid qualification at the same level as an A level. It trains you to manage an emergency and treat a range of injuries and illnesses. Emergency First Aid at Work, First Aid at Work, Paediatric First Aid and FREC 3 are all Level 3 courses.

Is First Aid at Work a Level 3 qualification?

Yes. When it is certificated through an awarding body such as Qualsafe, First Aid at Work is a Level 3 Award. Emergency First Aid at Work is also a Level 3 Award. Both follow the syllabus set by HSE.

How long does a Level 3 first aid course take?

It depends on the course. Emergency First Aid at Work takes one day, First Aid at Work takes three days, Paediatric First Aid takes 12 hours over two days and FREC 3 takes five days.

How long is a Level 3 first aid certificate valid for?

Most Level 3 first aid certificates are valid for three years. HSE strongly recommends a short refresher every year, and you should requalify before your certificate expires.

Is a Level 3 first aid course hard to pass?

No. The course is designed for complete beginners. Your trainer assesses your practical skills as you go, and regulated courses usually include a short written or multiple choice paper. You need a basic level of fitness to kneel and give CPR.

Do I need any qualifications before a Level 3 first aid course?

No. You don’t need any previous first aid training or qualifications. You must be at least 16 years old for Qualsafe accredited courses.

Which first aid course do nurseries and childminders need?

The EYFS requires a full paediatric first aid course, which we run as the 12 hour Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid. A one day emergency paediatric course does not meet the full certificate rule.

Can you run a Level 3 first aid course at our workplace?

Yes. We can run a Level 3 first aid course at your premises anywhere in Bristol and the South West. On-site courses are priced per job, and it is often cheaper than sending staff to an open course if you have several people to train.

What is the difference between FREC 3 and First Aid at Work?

First Aid at Work is for workplace first aiders and takes three days. FREC 3 is a five day pre-hospital emergency care qualification for people with greater medical responsibility, such as security teams and community first responders.

How much does a Level 3 first aid course cost in Bristol?

At Acorn, open courses at our Warmley centre cost £105 plus VAT for Emergency First Aid at Work and £237 plus VAT for First Aid at Work. Call us for paediatric, FREC 3 and on-site prices.

Book a Level 3 first aid course with Acorn

Whether you need one place on an open course or a whole team trained on site, we’ll help you book the right Level 3 first aid course.

• Call us on 0117 958 2070
• Email [email protected]
• Book a course online or send us a message

You can also browse all of our first aid courses, including Mental Health First Aid, or read what past delegates say in our reviews.