A quick search of “Elementary First Aid (EFA) certificate expiry” online tends to bring back a host of answers, with the official line as per the STCW regulations being that it doesn’t need refreshing.
This leads to one of the most common questions in maritime training: “Do I ever need to take it again?” The answer is a mix of international law, industry “best practice,” and specific requirements for RYA commercial endorsements. Here is everything you need to know about keeping your first aid skills, and your qualifications, current in 2026.
Does an STCW Elementary First Aid certificate expire?
Technically, under IMO (International Maritime Organization) regulations, the STCW EFA certificate is valid indefinitely. It is considered a “foundational” qualification that does not require a mandatory 5-year refresher to remain legally valid.
However, there is a major difference between legal validity and industry compliance.
The 5-Year “Best Practice” Rule
While the certificate doesn’t expire, maritime first aid protocols evolve. To bridge the gap between being “legal” and being “safe,” some reputable shipping companies and superyacht agencies will not accept a certificate older than five years. They want to ensure that in a mid-ocean emergency, your response is dictated by current medical guidelines rather than a course you took a decade ago.
Beyond the paperwork, there is the human element. First aid skills are perishable; if you haven’t practiced a recovery position or CPR in over five years, hesitation can easily set in during a real crisis. Refreshing your training isn’t just about a certificate, it’s about professional confidence. It ensures that if you are ever called upon to save the life of a guest or a colleague, you can act instinctively and effectively, rather than trying to remember a slide from years ago.
Can I use STCW EFA for an RYA Commercial Endorsement?
Yes, you can. But if you are working under RYA (Royal Yachting Association) regulations, the “indefinite” rule disappears. For a Commercial Endorsement to remain active, your first aid training must be “in date.”
The 3 vs. 5 Year Validity Rule
The RYA has specific rules regarding which certificate you hold:
- Standard RYA First Aid: Must be renewed every three years.
- STCW Elementary First Aid: The RYA grants a “longevity bonus” for this qualification, allowing it to remain valid for your endorsement for five years.
Pro Tip: Even if your EFA certificate has no expiry date, the RYA will check the issue date. If it was issued more than five years ago, your Commercial Endorsement is technically invalid until you refresh the course.
What is covered in the STCW EFA Course?
- Immediate Response to Medical Emergencies: Assessing the casualty, prioritising life-threatening conditions, and taking prompt action to preserve life.
- Basic Life Support: Airway management, resuscitation techniques, and maintaining breathing and circulation until further medical assistance is available.
- Control of Bleeding and Shock: Managing external bleeding, preventing deterioration, and recognising signs of shock.
- Treatment of Injuries: Initial management of burns, fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue injuries.
- Medical Conditions: Recognition and first aid management of common acute medical conditions likely to occur at sea.
- Safe Handling of Casualties: Taking appropriate precautions to avoid further harm while awaiting professional medical care.
EFA vs. Medical First Aid vs. Proficiency in Medical Care: What’s the difference?
Many seafarers get confused between the different tiers of medical training. Here is the breakdown:
| Course | Who is it for? | Validity |
| Elementary First Aid (EFA) | All Crew (Basic Safety Training) | Indefinite (5 years industry standard) |
| Medical First Aid (MFA) | Officers & Designated First Aiders | Indefinite (5 years industry standard) |
| Proficiency in Medical Care (PMC) | Masters and Persons in Charge of Medical Care | 5 Years (Mandatory Refresher) |
Elementary First Aid focuses on immediate life-saving actions taken on discovery of a casualty, with the aim of preserving life and preventing deterioration until further medical help arrives.
Medical First Aid is a more advanced course, typically delivered over four days. It focuses on assessing, treating, and monitoring casualties onboard, while liaising with telemedical services until evacuation or return to port.
Proficiency in Medical Care is designed for the person designated to take charge of medical care onboard a vessel where there is no doctor. This course goes in depth, covering advanced casualty assessment, wound closure, injections, medication administration, and longer-term medical management at sea.
Summary: Should you refresh your Elementary First Aid?
If your EFA certificate is approaching the five-year mark, you essentially have two choices:
Option 1: Maintain your current status. Technically, you remain compliant under IMO regulations as the EFA certificate has no official expiry date. If you are working for a long-term employer who is happy with your current certification, there is no legal requirement to retrain. However, if you hold an RYA Commercial Endorsement, this is your limit; you must refresh to keep your endorsement valid. For everyone else, if you have a specific employer in mind, check with them in advance to see if they require a 5-year refresh. You may find you don’t need to.
Option 2: Refresh your skills. You can choose to be proactive and attend the one-day course again. Being pre-emptive avoids the last-minute scramble for a course date and ensures you aren’t forced to turn down a contract opportunity – or find your RYA endorsement suspended – because your paperwork wasn’t ready to go. We know that seasoned seafarers often feel they’ve “seen it all before,” so we work hard to keep the day engaging and practical. Our goal isn’t just to tick a box; it’s to ensure you leave with updated skills and the genuine confidence to save a life when you’re hundreds of miles from the nearest hospital.
Don’t let your skills fade.
Are you approaching 5 years since your last Elementary First Aid course?
View Our Upcoming STCW Elementary First Aid dates.
Or are you looking to go to the next tier of First Aid?
View our Medical First Aid course dates.
Please note: We do not currently offer the Proficiency in Medical Care (PMC) course. For those looking to refresh this specific qualification, we recommend checking the MCA website for approved providers.
