Let’s examine a situation. One morning, as you drink your first coffee, you spot a job listing describing what would appear to be just the position you were looking for.
You quickly contact the employer and next thing you know – you are there, sitting in front of the company’s HR officer. Not bad for a start!
The procedure is pretty standard, but at some point, the HR officer asks you the following: “Do you have first aid and CPR training at any level?” Since you actually completed a level A First Aid CPR training in Toronto just a few months ago, your reply is a natural, “of course.”
Next, the HR officer asks for your first aid and CPR training certificate so they can copy the details and add them to the job application form.
After several embarrassing minutes of nervously digging in your papers, you realize, to your surprise, that you probably lost the certificate, and they cannot proceed with the job admission process until you manage to find it. What do you do if you lost your First Aid and CPR certificate?
Haven't Completed a First Aid or CPR Training?
The Problem – You Lost Your First Aid and CPR Certificate
In our world of paperwork and endless bureaucracy, the above mentioned scenario might be detrimental to you being hired, and may possibly be more common than you think.
First, you decide to take First Aid CPR training. You do it, and upon passing the end exam, you get your certificate and then… then you toss the certificate in your wallet/case/pocket/drawer and forget all about it until it is actually needed as described in the scenario above. This could be a physical certificate or a wallet card.
But what do you do if you, by some misfortune, have either lost the certificate or it has been destroyed on accident such as by washing it with the laundry after leaving it in your pants pocket?
Do you actually have to start over and redo the first aid and CPR training from scratch? If you lost your first aid training certificate, how can you retrieve it?
If that was the case, it would be extremely frustrating, since it would cause an unnecessary delay when time is of the essence, like when applying to a job or a college. Fortunately, as described further in the text, the procedure of issuing a new certificate is not a complex one, so at the worst case it would take several minutes of your time. If you need a replacement, you can request a duplicate AHA Completion Card from the training center where you completed your course.
The Solution – a Simple way to Reclaim your First Aid Certificate
In accordance with the terms of our Toronto first aid and CPR training program, if your certificate is still valid, meaning it has been given to you less than 3 years ago, the procedure to reclaim it through Red Cross account is rather simple:
You need to make contact with the training center that issued your certificate, either by calling them directly or via e-mail, pay a small fee (or not, depends on the issuer), and then they send you a copy of your certificate with the same expiry date as an original one.
Log into your Red Cross account and download your certificate(s). Once logged in, click on My Profile > My Certifications and select the certificate you wish to download or print card.
In addition to CPR certificates, you can also access BLS cards and other course certificates through your account.
As an alternative, some organizations provide an easy recovery route through their “lost card recovery page” on their website.
If you lost your first aid and CPR certificate, we will do our best to retrieve it for you. At Coast2Coast, a Canadian Red Cross training partner, we can download a PDF format of your certificate and email it to you as quickly as possible. We understand how important it is to have documents on hand such as a First Aid and CPR certificate. If you lost your basic life support certificate, for example, and you know you completed your training with Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics, please fill out our Lost Certificate form and one of our customer service representatives will get back to you as soon as possible. For those who received their training from a different Canadian Red Cross training partner, we highly recommend you contact the Canadian Red Cross directly to find who you completed your training with. Contact the Canadian Red Cross at 877-356-3226. Ensure you have your personal information ready to verify your successful completion of the course.
We always recommend to carry your certificate or CPR card with you, not only for job applications, of course, but for a very real scenario when first aid needs to be administered. If you have any more questions, let us know and we’ll be glad to address them.
Request a Copy of your First Aid & CPR Certificate
Tips for Keeping Your Certification Card Safe
To ensure your certification card remains safe and secure, follow these tips:
Store it in a Safe Place: Keep your certification card in a secure location, such as a file cabinet or a safe. Avoid leaving it in places where it could be easily lost or damaged.
Make a Digital Copy: Scan or take a photo of your certification card and store it digitally, such as on your computer or in the cloud. This ensures you have a backup in case the physical card is lost or damaged.
Keep it Up-to-Date: Ensure your certification is current and not expired. Renew your certification as needed to maintain your credentials and stay compliant with any job or regulatory requirements.
Use a Protective Case: Store your physical certification card in a protective case or sleeve to prevent damage or wear. This is especially important if you carry the card in your wallet or bag.
Monitor Your Certification Status: Regularly check your certification status online or through your training provider to ensure it remains valid and up-to-date. This helps you stay on top of any renewal requirements and avoid lapses in certification.
By following these tips, you can help ensure your certification card remains safe and secure, and you can easily access it when needed.
15 Comments
I have my certificate, but do not have my wallet card….any advice?
Lost My First Aid Certificate. Any chance you can send another copy
Thanks, Tyler Richardson
lost my cpr level c infants c certificate
date of issue-Dec 19,2015
If I lose my first aid and cpr cirtification, can red cross be able to change my certificate number for security reason upon request.
I did a first aid course when I was attending college! It was a few hours long and I received a certificate! But I am unaware of when this course was as it was 2 years ago? What do I do? I need it starting a new job
Dear Cathy,
Thank you for submitting a question. You need to know the following information.
1) Name of the Company (look for the logo of the organization)
2) Date of the course
3) Name of the instructor
4) Name of the course
You need to know at least 3 of the following for us to be able to track your certificate. Other than that, you need to sign up for the course again. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-866-291-9121
Dear Workneh,
The Number that the First Aid and CPR certificates have on the top is assigned under your name. You don’t need to ask for the certificate number to change. However, if you we wish to change the number, you can call Canadian Red Cross Contact Center 1-877-356-3226.
Dear Mandy,
In order to request for a replacement Certificate, please go to the link below and submit a request. One of our Representatives will get in touch with you and assist you.
https://www.c2cfirstaidaquatics.com/lost-certificate/
Dear Tyler,
In order to request for a replacement Certificate, please go to the link below and submit a request. One of our Representatives will get in touch with you and assist you.
https://www.c2cfirstaidaquatics.com/lost-certificate/
Dear Mathew,
In order to request for a replacement Certificate, please go to the link below and submit a request. One of our Representatives will get in touch with you and assist you.
https://www.c2cfirstaidaquatics.com/lost-certificate/
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We were not given the wallet certificate. Only a photocopy piece of paper. Will you be sending us the card? I have never not received a card upon completing this standard course.
Hi Christina! It typically takes 5-10 business days to receive your official certificate. Unfortunately, the Canadian Red Cross no longer issues physical cards. You will receive an email with a PDF format of your certificate which you can print out and laminate if you’d like to keep a copy with you. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to reach out!