Following an extensive review, important changes have been made to FA first aid certificates which affect the recognition of equivalent qualifications from other organisations outside of football when it comes to renewal.

During the 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons, an FA review was undertaken across all medical training provision. This included research into other national governing bodies and gaining advice from the FA Legal Team. One critical outcome from the findings was the need for football-specific training to be included in courses, with an emphasis on saving a life and limb in football.

All coaches must initially attend FA courses as part of their FA coach training as this football-specific aspect of medical training is not covered through generic first aid courses, which The FA previously accepted for renewal. Therefore, a new and revised list of equivalent courses and prior learning for occupational professionals has been created.

This change impacts the range of non-FA first aid medical qualifications The FA accept as accredited prior learning when coaches undertake their FA Level 1 Introduction First Aid in Football (IFAiF) renewal after three years.

To support the recommendations, an impact analysis for the grassroots game was undertaken on the number of non-FA Medical certificates currently accepted for renewals across the IFAiF. The average over the previous four seasons was 425 learners per season, which is approximately 1% of the overall volume of IFAiF courses delivered by County FAs.

The Change

The change impacts candidates during their recertification after three years across both the IFAiF and the FA Level 2 Emergency Aid in Football (EFAiF). All coaches must initially attend FA courses as part of their FA coach training. Any exemptions apply on renewals only.

In addition, all exemptions must be supported by evidence of completing the online FA modules for Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Concussion.

FA Level 1 - Introduction to First Aid in Football (IFAiF)

The following courses will now be accepted instead of the IFAiF at the point of recertification:

* Hampden National Sports First Aid Course
* World Rugby First Aid in Rugby Level 1 Course
* RFU Emergency First Aid in Rugby Union Level 1 Course
* Irish Rugby Union SAFE Level 1 Course
* Corobeus Sports Consultancy Emergency First Aid in Sport Course
* St John’s Basic Sports First Aid
* Red Cross First Aid for Sports Course
* Fitness First Aid Level 3 Award in First Aid for Sport (RQF)
* ITC Level 3 Award in First Aid for Sport, Exercise and Fitness ITC Certificate for Sport Exercise and Fitness at SCQF Level 6

Allied Health Care Professionals

All health care professionals are required to initially attend the IFAiF. At the point of recertification, after three years, allied health care professionals must show evidence of their professional qualifications and relevant training, which must be one of:

* Advanced Life Support
* Advanced Trauma Life Support
* Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support
* Paediatric intermediate life support
* Paediatric advanced life support

FA Level 2 - Emergency First Aid in Football (EFAiF)

The following courses will now be accepted instead of the EFAiF at the point of recertification:

* Hampden National Sports First Aid Course
* World Rugby First Aid in Rugby Level 1 Course
* RFU Emergency First Aid in Rugby Union Level 1 Course
* Irish Rugby Union SAFE Level 1 Course
* Corobeus Sports Consultancy Emergency First Aid in Sport Course

Allied Health Care Professionals

All Health Care professionals are required to initially attend the IFAiF. At the point of recertification, after three years, allied health care professionals must show evidence of their professional qualifications and relevant training, which must be one of:

* Advanced Trauma Life Support
* Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support

Other Exempt Professionals

In addition, other professionals, including military service personnel, firefighters, police and prison officers will now need to have completed one of the sports first aid courses as listed above at the appropriate level and show evidence of completing the online FA modules for Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Concussion. These professions are no longer able to use training completed as part of their job.

What Constitutes An Allied Health Care Profession?

* paramedics with IHCD Paramedic Course or Paramedic Foundation Degree or MSc in Paramedic Science, registered with the HCPC
* nurses registered with NMC currently working in an emergency environment (emergency department)
* therapists with registration from BASRAT or SST
* physiotherapists registered with the HCPC
* doctors registered with the GMC

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