Become a Canadian Red Cross Training Partner

Transform your business and empower your community by becoming a Canadian Red Cross Training Partner. Offer First Aid and CPR courses, expand your reach, and make a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

For over 80 years, the Canadian Red Cross has been a national leader in injury prevention. Now, your business can be part of this life-saving mission by becoming a Red Cross Training Partner.

What is a Training Partner?

Red Cross Training Partners can be big or small businesses. They can also be community groups, city organizations, or corporations. These partners provide Red Cross First Aid and CPR training in their communities or for their employees.

There are two types:

Public Training Partners: Offer courses to the public and advertise them.
In-House Training Partners: Offer courses only to employees as part of workplace first aid training.

All Training Partners have an agreement with the Canadian Red Cross. They must follow program standards, policies, and guidelines when providing training. They also need to use the teaching tools and resources created by the Red Cross, along with the trainee materials.

How it will benefit your business

Running a business is all about offering great services that people need. Here’s how becoming a Training Partner helps you stand out:

Expand your business & revenue potential
Offer a range of popular courses like First Aid and CPR. Also, it provides specialty courses such as Psychological First Aid, Youth First Aid, and Wilderness & Remote First Aid.

Boost your credibility in First Aid Training
Being an official Training Partner boosts your reputation in health and safety training. Show your clients and community that you care about their safety by partnering with the Red Cross.

Access exclusive support
Access a secure online course management system and gain marketing and technical support from the Red Cross.

PLUS! Deliver the highest standard in First Aid training

The Red Cross First Aid courses meet important standards. They follow all federal, provincial, and territorial worker safety rules and insurance boards, except in Quebec. They also meet the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z1210-17. The standard is called “First Aid training for the workplace – Curriculum and quality management for training agencies”. Additionally, the Red Cross First Aid courses align with the latest evidence-based research and scientific findings.

Besides, get high-quality training materials and resources. They are in full colour and available in both official languages. This includes many digital and print products.

Training Partners deliver Red Cross First Aid and CPR programs across Canada to over 869,000 Canadians annually. Join a network of trusted organizations committed to building safer, better-prepared communities.

"Partnering with the Canadian Red Cross as a Training Partner has been instrumental in delivering high-quality, trusted first aid and CPR training. Their comprehensive textbooks, industry-leading resources, and commitment to excellence ensure that our students receive the best education possible. Choosing the Red Cross means aligning with a globally recognized organization that upholds the highest standards in life-saving training, allowing us to make a real impact in our communities.” – Aryan (Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics)

How to apply to become a Training Partner

Important: Applications will reopen on April 1st, 2025. Get ready by preparing your application now!

Becoming a Red Cross Training Partner is a rewarding opportunity that requires careful preparation. You’ll deliver First Aid and CPR courses using the trusted Red Cross program and materials.

We’re here to support you with resources and expert guidance every step of the way. This is your opportunity to showcase your knowledge of the First Aid training business and demonstrate your readiness to deliver high-quality courses. A well-prepared application highlights your commitment to excellence and positions you for success as a Red Cross Training Partner.

Follow these steps to start your journey:

1. Determine if it's the right fit

Review the First Aid Program Standards to ensure your business aligns with Red Cross requirements. As a Training Partner, you must meet these standards to maintain the safety, consistency, and quality of Red Cross courses.

Access the First Aid Program Standards
You should also review the following policies and guidelines to understand expectations:

This heat map displays the concentration of our training partner facilities across Canada. The colours indicate the number of facilities: dark gray for 1-2 facilities, blue green for 3-4 facilities, and red for 5 or more facilities.

2. Develop your business plan

A strong business plan is a key part of your application. Download and complete the following resources to prepare:

Your business plan should demonstrate your ability to successfully run a First Aid training business and meet Red Cross program requirements.

Important: If your business plan is incomplete, we will not proceed with your application. The applicant must ensure that all necessary information is included in the business plan.

3. Submit your application

Once you have reviewed the requirements and prepared your business plan, you can submit your application.

Pay the Training Partner application fee on shop.redcross.ca. The application fee costs $600 and is non-refundable, even if we decline the application. Record your payment confirmation number to add to your application form.
Submit your application form. The Red Cross will review it within 5 to 10 business days and notify you of the next steps.
If your application moves forward, you will be required to submit your business plan. The review process takes approximately 8 weeks, and the Red Cross may request additional details.

Important: Submitting an application does not mean that you will be approved. Your application will be assessed, and you will be notified of the outcome. For details on fees, application approvals, and possible declines, please refer to the FAQ section.

Submit your Training Partner application

4. Final steps for approved Training Partners

If your application is approved, a member of our team will get in touch with you to go over the final steps of the process together.

Sign the Training Partner Agreement: Before you can sign, you must show proof of your current insurance.
Fill out the customer account information form and pay the annual Training Partner fee of $250 to set up your account. After processing, new partners will get an account number. They will also have access to online ordering and the Training Partner website. This site has tools and resources for course delivery, course management, marketing, and more.
Onboarding session: After we set up your access, we will invite you to an onboarding session. This session includes other successful applicants. Completing it before you start offering courses to your community is mandatory.

Frequently asked questions

1. Applications are reviewed carefully to ensure the best fit. The Red Cross can decline your application.

The Red Cross will only make agreements with applicants who support training growth for specific groups or areas. We will also work with applicants who show they have the resources to provide high-quality training. This includes those offering training to internal audiences only.

2. Canadian Red Cross Training Partners pay an annual fee of $250.

If we approve your application, you must pay the annual Training Partner fee as part of the onboarding process. You will need to renew the Training Partner fee annually on the anniversary of your agreement.

We do not guarantee approval; we will not process incomplete applications.

3. I’m interested in teaching First Aid, but becoming a Training Partner may not be the right fit for me. What are my options?

If after reviewing the application requirements you determine that becoming a Training Partner might not be for you, there are other ways to get involved:.

Become an Instructor for an existing Training Partner – Many Training Partners hire certified Instructors to teach courses on their behalf.
Work with an established Training Partner as a subcontractor – Some Training Partners collaborate with independent Instructors to provide training under their organization.

To explore these options, we recommend reaching out to Red Cross Training Partners in your area. Learn more about becoming a certified Red Cross Instructor.

Thank you for your interest in the Canadian Red Cross. We appreciate your time and effort in learning more about becoming a Training Partner.

The Canadian Red Cross is a trusted brand in Canada. Our Training Partners play an important role in communities nationwide. Knowing the process and the information given will help you decide what to do next. Should you still require more information, please contact us at myrcsupport@redcross.ca.

Together, we can build safer, stronger communities. Become a leader in First Aid training with the Canadian Red Cross!