How to become a first aid attendant in BC

The road in one paragraph

Becoming a workplace first aid attendant in British Columbia takes about two weeks. You do not need college. You must be at least 16, able to read and write English well enough to keep a first aid record, and fit enough to do CPR and move a patient. You enrol directly in a 70-hour Advanced First Aid course, the certificate that used to be called Occupational First Aid Level 3, at a training provider approved by WorkSafeBC.

The course covers patient assessment, bleeding control, spinal care, oxygen, airway management and deciding when and how to transport someone from a work site. It ends with a written test and hands-on scenarios. A pass earns a WorkSafeBC Advanced First Aid certificate, valid for three years. With it you can work on construction sites, in forestry, at mines, in camps, on film sets and in factories.

Getting in

There is no competition for seats. Anyone who meets the age and fitness rules can book a course. Providers in our directory include St. John Ambulance, the Justice Institute of British Columbia, Okanagan College, North Island College, Trauma Tech, Metro Safety Training and Alpha Training. Every provider on this page is on the WorkSafeBC approved list. You do not need a lower first aid certificate first, though it helps.

What it costs and what it pays

In our directory, Alpha Training publishes a course fee of $1,398. Fees for the other providers we list are Not published on their course pages.

Pay comes from WorkBC data for paramedical occupations, which is the closest WorkBC group for this job. The median wage is $34.00 per hour. Entry-level pay is around $25.00 per hour and experienced workers earn around $46.00 per hour. WorkBC lists average annual pay of $74,775 and forecasts 1,910 job openings in British Columbia between 2025 and 2035. Many first aid attendants hold the certificate alongside a trade or office job, and WorkSafeBC rules on how many attendants a site needs keep the certificate in demand.

Common mistakes and shortcuts

• Looking for OFA 3. WorkSafeBC renamed the levels in 2024. Advanced First Aid is the new name for Occupational First Aid Level 3, and employers accept both names. (Source: WorkSafeBC)
• Letting the certificate lapse. It expires three years after the course date. Book the renewal before it runs out or you cannot be the attendant on site. (Source: WorkSafeBC)
• Treating the test as a written exam. The practical scenarios need real physical effort, including long CPR and patient carries. Be ready for that. (Source: WorkSafeBC)
• Paying yourself when an employer would. Many construction, mining and municipal employers pay for the course and pay wages during it to meet their site first aid rules. Ask before you book. (Source: WorkSafeBC)