Recertification Guidelines

NOLS Wilderness Medicine Graduates

The preferred way to recertify your Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification is to enroll in a Wilderness First Responder Recertification course . This course is specifically designed for students needing recertification.

This training is built around scenarios and case studies crafted to reinforce evacuation decision-making. It also provides you with the latest updates in wilderness medicine and includes Adult and Child CPR. You will be required to pass a written and practical exam.

NOLS graduates may also take a NOLS Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course to recertify their WAFA, WFR or WEMT. The Wilderness First Aid course is an introductory course for individuals with no prior knowledge and generally does not include CPR. You may choose to take a WFA course to recertify your WAFA, WFR, or WEMT, only if you hold a certification from NOLS Wilderness Medicine. To recertify a WFR using the WFA, you must pass both written and practical exams.

NOLS Wilderness Medicine certifications will be afforded a one-year period after expiration within which to recertify. This one-year re-entry period is only offered for NOLS Wilderness Medicine certifications. NOLS Wilderness Medicine certified students should bring their certification card to the course so that the instructor can verify the expiration date.

Graduates from other Wilderness Medicine Providers

NOLS Wilderness Medicine welcomes eligible graduates from other providers to recertify on our Wilderness First Responder Recertification course. To be eligible for recertification you must possess a current (unexpired) WFR certification from a provider whose WFR course is a minimum of 70 hours. NOLS Wilderness Medicine does not recognize certifications from entirely online training.

There is no re-entry period once your certification expires. It is your responsibility to make sure your certification meets this standard. If you are unsure, please contact NOLS Wilderness Medicine to verify your certification qualifies before enrolling in a course.

This course will also recertify those who hold a valid WEMT (wilderness portion only) or WAFA certification.

Graduates from other wilderness medicine providers may not take a NOLS WFA course to recertify a WFR certification.

Students certified by any other organization are required to submit a photocopy of their unexpired 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.