Medical training
A regulated, nationally recognised prehospital care qualification for those building a career in emergency care.
- Level
- Level 4
- Awarding body
- Duration
- 5 days
- Price, inc. VAT
- £660(£550 + VAT)
- Next date
- 9 to 13 Nov 2026
About the course
First Response Emergency Care Level 4 (FREC4)
The Qualsafe Level 4 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care (RQF) is designed for those looking to progress within the NHS or independent ambulance services as an emergency care assistant, intermediate ambulance practitioner, event medical provider, associate practitioner or healthcare assistant.
It also suits those looking to work in specialist roles within the military, police and fire services.
Fulfilling the competencies set out in the PHEM skills framework at descriptor level E, it gives learners the knowledge, skills and competencies to deal with a wide range of prehospital care emergencies, such as major incidents, fracture immobilisation, sick and injured children, and mental health issues. It gives an intermediate level of prehospital care knowledge.
Please note: to obtain the qualification you complete three workbooks within a year of the course ending. They can be done as quickly or as slowly as you like.
- Qualification
- Qualsafe Level 4 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care (RQF)
- Group size
- 3 to 12 learners
- Location
- BPS HQ, Maidstone, Kent
ELCAS funding can be used for this course (Centre Number 14830).
Barham Protection Services Ltd is an ELCAS Approved Learning Provider. Centre Number 14830.
Barham Protection Services Ltd is a Blue Light Card partner.
Blue Light Card holders get 10% off any course: email training@bps-ltd.org with a picture of your Blue Light Card to receive your discount code.
*Blue Light Card discounts and ELCAS funding cannot be used together.
Who it is for
- People with a specific responsibility, at work or in voluntary and community activities, to provide prehospital care to patients needing emergency and urgent care or treatment.
- Emergency care providers in healthcare settings, expected to assess patients by a range of methods, including physiological measures, and to act on their findings.
- Those progressing in NHS or private ambulance services as an emergency care assistant, intermediate ambulance practitioner, event medical provider, associate practitioner or healthcare assistant.
- Specialist medical roles within the military, police and fire services.
Entry requirements
- At least 18 years old on the first day of the training.
- A valid, in-date Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Response Emergency Care (RQF), a valid, in-date Qualsafe First Response Emergency Care (Level 3 RQF) qualification, or a QA recognised equivalent.
- 118 hours of medical continuing professional development (CPD) completed between your FREC3 and FREC4, with the evidence to show it, before you begin.
- No other formal entry requirements, though we advise a minimum of Level 2 in literacy or equivalent.
Assessment
- Three practical assessments
- Two skills tests
- Three learner workbooks
- Two invigilated exams
Standards it meets
- Based on skill set E of the prehospital provider competencies in the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care (RCS Ed) framework.
- Learning outcomes based on the recommendations of the Resuscitation Council (UK), the Assessment Principles for Regulated First Aid Qualifications, and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care (FPHC).
Why train with BPS
- Experienced instructors: NHS Trust clinicians, former police TEAMS medics and military CMT1 medics.
- The latest medical training equipment.
- Realistic final scenarios, with live actors and special effects.
- Courses for 3 to 12 learners, at our Maidstone training room or at your workplace.
Certification
This qualification is not a licence to practise. Any interventions you perform in your role must be in line with your own or your organisation's scope of practice and agreed ways of working.
- A personalised Qualsafe Level 4 e-certificate, once the course is complete and all three workbooks have been submitted, marked and sent off.
Location and accommodation
- Our training room in Maidstone, Kent, with ample free parking and rail links through Maidstone West and Maidstone East stations.
- A Premier Inn and a Travelodge are both within a minute's walk of the centre. Accommodation is booked at your own expense.
- We can run the course at your venue: email training@bps-ltd.org to discuss the options.
In pictures
In training
Every picture is a training scenario. Press a picture to see it in full.
Where it runs
Venue
- BPS HQ, MaidstoneUnit 10, The Old Brewery, Buckland Road, Maidstone, ME16 0DZA short walk from Maidstone West station, with free parking on site.
Medical training
Our medical courses side by side
- First Response Emergency Care (FREC3)Qualsafe Level 3 · 5 days · 3 to 12 learners · £450 inc. VAT (£375 + VAT)
- First Response Emergency Care (FREC4)This courseQualsafe Level 4 · 5 days · 3 to 12 learners · £660 inc. VAT (£550 + VAT)
- Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)Qualsafe Level 3 · 1 day · 4 to 12 learners
- First Aid at Work (FAW)Qualsafe Level 3 · 3 days · 4 to 12 learners
- Paediatric First Aid (PFA)Highfield Level 3 · 2 days
Questions
Questions about FREC4
Anything else, call 0330 043 8443 or read the booking terms.
What do I need before I start FREC4?
You must be at least 18 on the first day and hold a valid, in-date Qualsafe Level 3 First Response Emergency Care qualification (or a QA recognised equivalent), with 118 hours of medical continuing professional development completed between your FREC3 and FREC4, and the evidence to show it. We advise a minimum of Level 2 in literacy or equivalent.
Who is FREC4 for?
Those progressing in NHS or private ambulance services as an emergency care assistant, intermediate ambulance practitioner, event medical provider, associate practitioner or healthcare assistant, and those in specialist medical roles within the military, police and fire services.
How is FREC4 assessed?
Three practical assessments, two skills tests, three learner workbooks and two invigilated exams. The workbooks are completed within a year of the course ending, as quickly or as slowly as you like.
When do I receive my certificate?
A personalised Qualsafe Level 4 e-certificate follows once the course is complete and all three workbooks have been submitted, marked and sent off. It is not a licence to practise.
How long is the course?
Five days, for groups of 3 to 12 learners, fulfilling the competencies of the PHEM skills framework at descriptor level E.
Who teaches the course?
Experienced clinicians: NHS Trust clinicians, former police TEAMS medics and military CMT1 medics, using the latest medical training equipment, with realistic final scenarios using live actors and special effects.
Where is the course held, and is there parking?
At our training room in Maidstone, Kent, with ample free parking and rail links through Maidstone West and Maidstone East stations. A Premier Inn and a Travelodge are both within a minute's walk; accommodation is at your own expense. We can also run the course at your venue: email training@bps-ltd.org to discuss the options.
Can I use ELCAS funding for this course?
Yes. Barham Protection Services Ltd is an ELCAS Approved Learning Provider, Centre Number 14830. ELCAS can be used on our ELCAS approved courses. Blue Light Card discounts and ELCAS funding cannot be used together.
Is there a Blue Light Card discount?
Blue Light Card holders get 10% off any course: email training@bps-ltd.org with a picture of your Blue Light Card to receive your discount code.
Related courses
- Level 3First Response Emergency Care (FREC3)Next: 18 to 22 January 2027
- Level 3Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)
- Level 3First Aid at Work (FAW)
- Level 3Paediatric First Aid (PFA)
Related services
Where we train
Operations & training teams
Ask about this course
Clients can reach our teams 24/7, 365 days a year, through our 24 hour operations phones. Every enquiry is handled with discretion. Alternatively, make a secure enquiry online.