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Advanced first aid (was OFA 3)

WorkSafeBC Advanced First Aid (formerly Occupational First Aid Level 3)

Facts checked 7 September 2026

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Part of the route toFirst Aid Attendant·Safety ticket

A 70-hour practical course that trains you to handle severe medical emergencies at remote and industrial worksites.

How long
2 weeks
Cost
About $890 to $1,400 for the whole program
Schools
12 in BC
Where you can take this: 12 schools
Coast Mountain CollegeNorth Island CollegeOkanagan CollegeSelkirk CollegeThompson Rivers UniversityAlpha Training SolutionsJustice Institute of British ColumbiaMetro Safety Training+4 more

Ways to get this paid for

Government money that can cover this course. Check who qualifies before you pay.

WorkBC training funding

Up to $7,500 tuition

If you are out of work or underemployed, a WorkBC case manager can approve and pay for this training. Get approval before you pay.

Details

Canada Training Credit

Half your tuition back, up to $5,000 in your life

Federal tax credit. $250 a year builds up from age 26. Claim it on your tax return.

Details

Ask your employer

Ask your employer

The BC Employer Training Grant pays up to 80 percent of a course, up to $10,000 per worker.

Details

THE ROUTE

How this program works, step by step

Grade 11 to the job. Open any step to see what is inside.

The route (8 steps)

BC Route
1Grade 11 Preparation
2Grade 12 Graduation
3Admissions & Prerequisites
4Application Process
5Program Curriculum
6Where to Take It
7Licensing & Certification
8Career Destination

For the best view, open the map full screen.

STEP BY STEP

Step by step

The same route as the map, as a list.

1

Step 1 of 6

What you need to get in

  • At least 16 years of age
  • At least 16 years of age prior to course start
  • Valid government-issued photo identification
  • Physically capable of performing CPR and patient lifts
  • Recommended pre-reading of Advanced First Aid course manual
2

Step 2 of 6

How to apply

  • Register online directly with St. John Ambulance or the Justice Institute of British Columbia
  • Select a full-time 2-week weekday cohort (70 hours) or multi-weekend schedule
  • Pay the course tuition of $895 to $1,050 CAD
  • Receive student textbook and study materials prior to course start
3

Step 3 of 6

Advanced first aid (was OFA 3)

⏱ 2 weeks (70 hours)
  • 70 total hours of intensive classroom instruction and simulation labs
  • Primary patient survey, critical intervention, and spine immobilization
  • Medical oxygen administration and automated external defibrillator (AED) operation
  • Simulated industrial and remote emergency scenarios
4

Step 4 of 6

Where to take it

⏱ 12 schools in BC
  • Coast Mountain College — 2 weeks (About $1,000 for the whole program)
  • North Island College — 2 weeks (About $1,400 for the whole program)
  • Okanagan College — 2 weeks (About $950 for the whole program)
  • Selkirk College — 2 weeks (Tuition not yet verified)
  • Thompson Rivers University — 2 weeks (About $1,100 for the whole program)
  • Alpha Training Solutions — 2 weeks (About $1,400 for the whole program)
  • Justice Institute of British Columbia — 2 weeks (Tuition not yet verified)
  • Metro Safety Training — 2 weeks (About $890 for the whole program)
  • and 4 more, see the list below
5

Step 5 of 6

Exams and registration after

  • WorkSafeBC Advanced First Aid written and practical certification exam
6

Step 6 of 6

Leads to: First Aid Attendant

  • Explore First Aid Attendant wages, job outlook, and career pathways
See the career page →

SCHOOLS

Where you can take this(12 schools)

Compare tuitions, campus locations, and delivery formats across approved institutions in British Columbia.

🔥
Public College

Coast Mountain College

Terrace Campus

Duration2 weeks
TuitionAbout $1,000 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

DeliveryIn-Person
“WorkSafeBC 70-hour intensive first aid training for northern BC resource and industrial operations.”
Program pageSchool page
🌊
Public College

North Island College

Comox Valley Campus, Courtenay

Duration2 weeks
TuitionAbout $1,400 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

DeliveryIn-Person
“Comprehensive 70-hour WorkSafeBC Advanced First Aid training serving Vancouver Island coastal and forestry industries.”
Program pageSchool page
🏔️
Public College

Okanagan College

Kelowna Campus

Duration2 weeks
TuitionAbout $950 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

DeliveryIn-Person
“WorkSafeBC approved 70-hour advanced first aid training for interior and remote industrial workplace attendants.”
Program pageSchool page
🌲
Public College

Selkirk College

Castlegar Campus

Duration2 weeks
TuitionTuition not yet verified

We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.

DeliveryIn-Person
“WorkSafeBC recognized advanced first aid certification for West Kootenay industrial sites and emergency teams.”
Program pageSchool page
🐾
University

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops Campus

Duration2 weeks
TuitionAbout $1,100 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

DeliveryIn-Person
“Two-week 70-hour hands-on paramedic simulation labs and advanced patient assessment training in Kamloops.”
Program pageSchool page
🛡️
Safety / Specialized Provider

Alpha Training Solutions

Campbell River

Duration2 weeks
TuitionAbout $1,400 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

DeliveryIn-Person
“70-hour WorkSafeBC Advanced First Aid practical training tailored for Vancouver Island marine and forestry sectors.”
Program pageSchool page
🚑
Safety / Specialized Provider

Justice Institute of British Columbia

New Westminster / Victoria / Kelowna / Chilliwack

Duration2 weeks
TuitionTuition not yet verified

We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.

DeliveryIn-Person
“WorkSafeBC Advanced First Aid (formerly OFA 3): 70-hour hands-on paramedic simulation labs for industrial attendants.”
Program pageSchool page
📦
Safety / Specialized Provider

Metro Safety Training

Coquitlam Campus

Duration2 weeks
TuitionAbout $890 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

DeliveryIn-Person
“Intensive 2-week WorkSafeBC Advanced First Aid certification in Coquitlam with regular monthly intakes.”
Program pageSchool page
🏔️
Safety / Specialized Provider

OVERhang Education Centre

Prince George

Duration2 weeks
TuitionNot published on the school page

Checked 7 September 2026; the school does not list a figure. Ask the school.

DeliveryIn-Person
“Two-week hands-on emergency first aid training in Prince George for Northern BC workplace attendants.”
Program pageSchool page
🩹
Safety / Specialized Provider

St. John Ambulance BC & Yukon

Vancouver / Surrey / Victoria / Kelowna

Duration2 weeks
TuitionTuition not yet verified

We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.

DeliveryIn-Person
“WorkSafeBC Advanced First Aid (formerly OFA 3): 70 hours of intensive trauma, airway management, and spine stabilization.”
Program pageSchool page
🚑
Safety / Specialized Provider

Trauma Tech

Burnaby, Vancouver, Richmond & Kelowna

Duration2 weeks
TuitionAbout $980 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

DeliveryIn-Person
“WorkSafeBC 70-hour trauma management and spinal immobilization delivered across Lower Mainland training centers.”
Program pageSchool page
🩹
Safety / Specialized Provider

Valley First Aid Training

Langley

Duration2 weeks
TuitionNot published on the school page

Checked 7 September 2026; the school does not list a figure. Ask the school.

DeliveryIn-Person
“Full-time two-week 70-hour emergency response and trauma management training in Langley.”
Program pageSchool page

Official Sources

Last verified · September 2026
WorkSafeBC