CPR & First Aid Recertification Guide for Ontario Healthcare Workers

Keeping Your Life-Saving Credentials Current

Maintaining active First Aid and CPR credentials is not only a mandatory prerequisite for profile verification on GetMeCare Ontario—it is a vital skill set that saves lives during home care emergencies.

Level C vs. BLS (Basic Life Support): Which Do You Need?

• CPR Level C: Covers adult, child, and infant CPR, along with automated external defibrillator (AED) training. This is the standard requirement for most Ontario Personal Support Workers and in-home companions.
• Basic Life Support (BLS / HCP): Designed for nurses, paramedics, and clinical hospital staff, emphasizing high-performance team resuscitation and advanced airway adjuncts.

Recertification Timelines

In Ontario, Standard First Aid certificates issued by the Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, or Lifesaving Society are generally valid for 3 years, while CPR components must be recertified annually or every 3 years depending on employer policy.