Recertification

We strongly encourage you to maintain a current certification, as frequent refresher courses will help ensure you are prepared to respond in the event of an emergency. To assist you in maintaining your certification, we've provided guidance for the most common situations.

Adult CPR/AED
To recertify your American Red Cross Adult CPR/AED certification, you must take another Adult CPR/AED course. Unfortunately, there are no refresher or challenge courses.

Wilderness First Aid  (WFA)
To recertify your Wilderness First Aid certification, you must take another Wilderness First Aid course.

Wilderness Advanced First Aid  (WAFA)
Recertification of your Wilderness Advanced First Aid certification is identical to recertification of a WFA.

Wilderness First Responder  (WFR)
There are two methods of recerfitying in Wilderness First Responder. The preferred way to recertify your WFR certification is to enroll in a CWS Wilderness First Responder Recertification course. This three-day hands-on course includes many practical scenarios as well as case-studies in order to reinforce evacuation decision-making, patient assessment and treatment intervention skills. The course also provides participants with the latest updates in wilderness medicine. You will be required to pass a written and practical exam. BLS and healthcare provider CPR certification courses are commonly offered just prior to the course for those needing to also keep their CPR certification current.

The second option of recertifying in WFR is to take a 2-day Wilderness First Aid course which doesn't allow for as much hands-on practice; however, may be a great refresher if you haven't used your skills since your WFR course.

Participants must possess a current (unexpired) WFR certification from one of the following nationally-recognized organizations in order to recertify through a WFR Recertification course: CWS, WMI of NOLS, WMA or SOLO. Expired WFR certifications may be afforded a one-year grace period within which to recertify so long as the participant holds current professional-level CPR certification and/OR if the WFR certification was earned through CWS.

Students certified by any organization other than CWS are REQUIRED to submit a photocopy of their certification card on the first day of the course. Please note: We cannot issue you a new card until we have verified your previous training. We ask that CWS certified WFR students present their card in person in class.

WFR Recertification Preparation 
We strongly recommend that you prepare for your Wilderness First Responder Recertification course by studying prior to your course. Participants who are the most successful tend to be those that have reviewed their textbook and studied their notes from their previous course. In addition to this tip, we have resources on our website that we highly recommend you review prior to your course.

 CWS Student Resources