Football first aid qualifications: basic to advanced
Understand the football first aid and medical education routes used across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The English FA pathway has five stages; the other associations use their own awards and terminology.
Guide updated
Sources checked
Start with the match and the role
Identify the association, competition, participant age group and expected duties. A grassroots volunteer first aider and a professional-game clinician do different work. The course required follows the current competition rules and the person’s role, not simply the highest number on a certificate.
This is an education directory, not a staffing prescription. Use the separate football match-cover page to prepare an enquiry; PitchMedic confirms whether the fixture and role are supported.
IFAiF or EFAiF: what is the practical difference?
The FA describes IFAiF as online introductory learning and EFAiF as a face-to-face football first aid course. They answer different training needs: an online introduction should not be recorded as evidence of completing the practical EFAiF course.
For example, if your competition specifies EFAiF, an organiser should check the certificate’s full title rather than accept a profile that says only “FA first aid”. Confirm the current requirement with the competition; do not infer it from the coach’s job title or the team’s name.
Can a non-FA first aid course be recognised?
The FA has a process for recognised alternatives. Its published guidance requires prior FA training at the relevant level, completion of its Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Concussion modules, and a certificate review before an accepted alternative is added to the person’s FA Number (FAN). Read the current guidance for the exact award.
An organiser should ask whether recognition has actually been confirmed. Holding a certificate, sending it for review and having it recorded as accepted are different states. Recognition for an FA record also does not establish acceptance by the Welsh, Scottish or Irish association.
England · The FA pathway
Read the full title and level. IFAiF introduces first aid in football; EFAiF adds practical football-specific learning; EMFAiF bridges grassroots and professional medical education. Intermediate and advanced trauma awards have their own entry criteria.
- Introduction to First Aid in Football (IFAiF)
- The FA · introductory
The introductory football award, often described as Level 1. Distinguish it from the practical EFAiF course.
View source for Introduction to First Aid in Football (IFAiF) - Level 2 Emergency First Aid in Football (EFAiF)
- The FA · Level 2
Football-specific first aid with face-to-face learning and pre-course work.
View source for Level 2 Emergency First Aid in Football (EFAiF) - Level 3 Emergency Medical First Aid in Football (EMFAiF)
- The FA · Level 3
Bridges grassroots first aid and professional-game medical education; builds on prior experience.
View source for Level 3 Emergency Medical First Aid in Football (EMFAiF) - Level 4 Intermediate Trauma Medical Management in Football (ITMMiF)
- The FA · Level 4
An intermediate sports trauma course. Check the current entry criteria for the applicant’s profession.
View source for Level 4 Intermediate Trauma Medical Management in Football (ITMMiF) - Level 5 Advanced Trauma Medical Management in Football (ATMMiF)
- The FA · Level 5
Advanced football trauma education. A course award does not extend someone’s professional scope.
View source for Level 5 Advanced Trauma Medical Management in Football (ATMMiF)
Wales · FAW medical courses
Use the current Welsh course titles. Football Emergency Aid is the introductory award, followed by Level 2 FRS and Level 3 First Aid at Work-Sport. The FAW also lists Level 4 ITMMiF as a delivery partner of The FA. Do not relabel its introductory award as “FRS Level 1”.
- Football Emergency Aid
- FAW · introductory / Level 1
The FAW’s introductory online award. Its current title is Football Emergency Aid, rather than “FRS Level 1”.
View source for Football Emergency Aid - Level 2 First Responder for Sport (FRS)
- FAW · Level 2
Builds on Football Emergency Aid. This is a separate Welsh pathway, not the English FA numbering system.
View source for Level 2 First Responder for Sport (FRS) - Level 3 First Aid at Work-Sport
- FAW · Level 3
A sports-focused first aid course listed by the FAW; check the exact certificate and prerequisites.
View source for Level 3 First Aid at Work-Sport - Level 4 Intermediate Trauma Medical Management in Football (ITMMiF)
- FAW · The FA delivery partner
The FAW lists ITMMiF delivery and profession-specific entry criteria on its medical courses page.
View source for Level 4 Intermediate Trauma Medical Management in Football (ITMMiF)
Scotland · National Sports First Aid
Hampden Sports Clinic separates the online course from the practical course. The online award supports Scottish FA learning, but the practical component is also needed to register as a team first aider. Check the completed components rather than treating e-learning as the full practical award.
- First Aid E-Learning (National Sports First Aid)
- Scottish FA / Hampden Sports Clinic
The online component is a separate course. It does not replace the practical component for a team first aider.
View source for First Aid E-Learning (National Sports First Aid) - National Sports First Aid — practical course
- Hampden Sports Clinic
A practical course following the online component; check both components when reviewing a certificate.
View source for National Sports First Aid — practical course
Northern Ireland · Irish FA and external first aid providers
The Irish FA includes Basic First Aid for Football within its coaching education. Its current course information distinguishes the online information module from accredited courses supplied by outside agencies. “Irish FA / St John Ambulance Sports First Aid” should not be assumed to be one standard award: check the exact external provider and certificate.
- Basic First Aid for Football
- Irish FA · coaching module
The Irish FA says its online module gives basic information; accredited first aid courses come from outside agencies. Confirm the actual provider and award, including any St John Ambulance certificate.
View source for Basic First Aid for Football
Turn the competition requirement into a cover enquiry
Write down the association and competition, the exact qualification named in its rules, the professional role, and the arrival-to-finish period. If matches overlap, describe the pitches and schedule rather than asking for one person to “cover the tournament”. This gives the booking discussion a defined role and time window.
- Name the competition and the current requirement you have been given.
- Distinguish player cover from spectators or other activity at the venue.
- Describe equipment, access and meeting arrangements alongside the professional duties.
Doctor education and emergency planning
UEFA FDEP workshops are specialist doctor education. FIFA’s PEAP is an emergency planning protocol, not a personal course qualification. Neither should be treated as an extra numbered FA first aid level.
- Football Doctor Education Programme (FDEP)
- UEFA · Workshops 1–3
Doctor education across emergency care, injury management and wider player health. Record the workshop actually completed, rather than one generic advanced certificate.
View source for Football Doctor Education Programme (FDEP)
Check the person, the certificate and the fixture
Ask for the full certificate title, issuing body, practical assessment, completion date and expiry or refresher history. Then check the relevant professional registration or membership, insurance, experience and the current rules for the exact sport, competition and role.
A certificate is not a professional registration, and submitting a certificate never approves someone for work. PitchMedic reviews the supporting evidence separately. Standalone first-aider bookings are not currently offered in the beta. We do not provide these courses or award the certificates.
Official sources checked on 17 October 2026. Course titles and requirements can change; use the linked issuer for the latest information.
Tell us about your fixture
Contact PitchMedic about your fixture and beta access. Account creation is currently by invitation while testing is completed.