CPR certification validity in Quebec: 3 years
The validity of a CPR and first aid certification depends on the type of course. Here are the renewal periods to know and when to retake your training.
How long a certification stays valid depends on the type of training and the recognized provider that issued it. In Quebec, here are the most common benchmarks.
Typical validity periods
- CPR/AED only: the period depends on the certifying body. The Canadian Red Cross issues a Level A or C certificate valid 3 years. Go by the date on yours rather than a general rule.
- Standard first aid (including CPR): usually valid 3 years.
- Workplace first aid (CNESST): valid for a maximum of 3 years from issuance. That limit comes from the regulation, not from the provider.
- Childcare staff: the certificate must be no more than 3 years old, in an installation as in home childcare. Here too the limit is set by regulation.
- CPR for healthcare professionals (SIR, SVR, BLS): often valid 1 year, depending on the employer and accrediting body. Which of those acronyms applies to you.
Why renew before the expiry date?
An expired certification is generally no longer recognized by employers or by CNESST. More importantly, life-saving skills fade: regular practice sharpens your reflexes in a real emergency. Many providers offer shorter renewal formats for those already certified.
How to know when to renew
The date appears on your certificate. Note it the day the card is handed to you, and plan to re-register a few weeks before it lapses.
One caution: the printed date is not always the one that binds you. Your employer or professional order may require shorter, and the shorter of the two then applies. How to renew, and what to do if the card has already expired.
Compare the available CPR and first aid courses and book the date that suits you online.
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