Rugby union first aid and medical qualifications
Compare rugby union first aid and immediate-care pathways, including IRFU SAFE Rugby, Scottish Rugby SCRUMCAPS and England Rugby PHICIS. World Rugby publishes a three-level education equivalence table; it is separate from our general four-group directory.
Guide updated
Sources checked
World Rugby’s education equivalence mapping
World Rugby commissioned a comparison of course content, assessment and entry requirements against FAIR, ICIR and AICIR. Its published table recognises education equivalence at three levels. That is useful evidence, but it does not automatically approve a professional for every competition or a PitchMedic booking.
The mapping also includes cross-sport and international courses. The course directory below highlights UK and Irish pathways, with the other internationally mapped course names noted at each level. Use the official table and report to identify each provider and any date-specific conditions. For a non-rugby course, World Rugby’s report recommends rugby-specific reaccreditation if rugby becomes the practitioner’s main sport.
How to read an equivalence without confusing the levels
Start with the named course, not its number. SAFE Rugby Level 2 appears in World Rugby’s ICIR mapping; SAFE Rugby Level 3 appears in the AICIR mapping. A certificate that says only “SAFE Rugby” leaves an important question unanswered. An RQF Level 3 first aid award is a different numbering system again.
Use the mapping as a reference for education, then ask the relevant union or competition about the proposed role. A mapped course does not establish the holder’s profession, registration, insurance or current acceptance for that fixture.
- Find the precise award and issuer in the official mapping, including any date-specific condition.
- Record which World Rugby stage it maps to: FAIR, ICIR or AICIR.
- Check the person’s current certificate and refresher history separately from the mapping.
- Confirm the competition’s role requirements and any remaining questions with the relevant union.
Level 1 · First Aid in Rugby
World Rugby maps EFARU, SCRUMCAPS First Aid Level 1 and SAFE Rugby Level 1 to FAIR. The table also includes EFAiF, First Aid in Sports and the specified ITC sports first aid awards. These are education equivalencies, not a statement that every holder is a registered clinician.
- First Aid in Rugby (FAIR) Level 1
- World Rugby · Level 1
The first-aid stage of World Rugby’s medical education pathway.
View source for First Aid in Rugby (FAIR) Level 1 - Emergency First Aid in Rugby Union (EFARU)
- England Rugby / RFU
A rugby first aid award mapped by World Rugby to FAIR Level 1.
View source for Emergency First Aid in Rugby Union (EFARU) - SAFE Rugby Level 1
- IRFU · Level 1
Rugby first aid education; included in World Rugby’s Level 1 equivalence mapping.
View source for SAFE Rugby Level 1 - SCRUMCAPS First Aid Level 1
- Scottish Rugby · Level 1
First aid education for team first aiders, including volunteers; complete the practical and online requirements.
View source for SCRUMCAPS First Aid Level 1
Level 2 · Immediate Care in Rugby
The World Rugby mapping includes PHICIS Level 2, SCRUMCAPS Level 2, SAFE Rugby Level 2 and ITMMiF alongside ICIR. Other entries are SportPromote Course, FMSI Advanced PSSD (awarded before the end of October 2025) and Immediate Care in Rugby Level 2. Check the provider in the full report, current certification and the intended role.
- Immediate Care in Rugby (ICIR) Level 2
- World Rugby · Level 2
The immediate-care stage of World Rugby’s pathway, distinct from its first aid award.
View source for Immediate Care in Rugby (ICIR) Level 2 - Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) Level 2
- England Rugby / RFU · Level 2
For healthcare and allied healthcare professionals working in rugby; check professional entry requirements.
View source for Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) Level 2 - SAFE Rugby Level 2 — Immediate Care in Rugby
- IRFU · Level 2
Mapped by World Rugby to its Level 2 immediate-care education.
View source for SAFE Rugby Level 2 — Immediate Care in Rugby - SCRUMCAPS Level 2
- Scottish Rugby · Level 2
Listed in World Rugby’s Level 2 equivalence mapping; distinct from SCRUMCAPS First Aid Level 1.
View source for SCRUMCAPS Level 2
Level 3 · Advanced Immediate Care in Rugby
The mapping includes PHICIS Level 3, SCRUMCAPS Level 3, SAFE Rugby Level 3, advanced football trauma education and IMMOFP alongside AICIR. The table also lists Immediate Care in Rugby Level 3; check its provider in the full report. Use The FA’s title ATMMiF for its advanced award; the World Rugby web table currently repeats the intermediate abbreviation beside the advanced title.
- Advanced Immediate Care in Rugby (AICIR) Level 3
- World Rugby · Level 3
Advanced rugby immediate-care education; check the holder’s profession and current requirements.
View source for Advanced Immediate Care in Rugby (AICIR) Level 3 - Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) Level 3
- England Rugby / RFU · Level 3
Advanced professional-game pathway with professional registration and course prerequisites.
View source for Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) Level 3 - SAFE Rugby Level 3 — Advanced Immediate Care in Rugby
- IRFU · Level 3
Included in World Rugby’s advanced Level 3 mapping; confirm current IRFU requirements.
View source for SAFE Rugby Level 3 — Advanced Immediate Care in Rugby - SCRUMCAPS Level 3
- Scottish Rugby · Level 3
Included in World Rugby’s advanced Level 3 mapping; confirm current Scottish Rugby requirements.
View source for SCRUMCAPS Level 3
Preparing cover for a union match or sevens tournament
State rugby union, the union and competition, participant ages and the exact role requirement in your enquiry. For sevens, include the match timetable, breaks and simultaneous pitches. The qualification directory helps identify course names; the cover enquiry establishes the attendance and duties you actually need.
Apply the right rules for your rugby code
Confirm rugby union or rugby league before choosing a course or planning cover. Governing-body requirements, the competition and the professional role still matter even when education is mapped as equivalent. The RFL has separate rugby league education and medical requirements.
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.