Wilderness First Responder Recertification
How do you recertify a Wilderness First Responder certification?Wilderness First Responder certifications are valid for three years and are renewed through a WFR recertification course. Recertification provides updates on current best practices and reviews patient assessment, trauma management, medical and environmental emergencies, and evacuation decision-making to ensure continued competency.Recertification: Wilderness First Responder Courses (WFR-Recert)
3 Day Courses Offered | 2 day Hybrid Available | Private Group Courses Available
-
This WFR Recertification course is designed to recertify and refresh current Wilderness First Responders. WMA International invites eligible WFR graduates from other wilderness medical schools to recertify with us. Students will review essential skills and wilderness protocols and will discuss relevant updates in wilderness medicine. The course focuses heavily on hands-on learning through patient assessment drills and guided discussion. To earn certification, students must meet the criteria set forth in our Functional Position Description as well as the minimum performance and testing standards by the last day of course.
——-
Hybrid Course Requirements
(when available)
This is a hybrid course, with online review to be completed before the in-person course start date.
Technology Requirements
• High speed Internet Access
• A computer with:
• a PDF Reader
• Anti-Virus Software
• Internet Browser (latest version of Chrome, Firefox, or Edge). Note- the system is NOT compatible with Safari.
-
The Wilderness First Responder curriculum is written in-house by a team of remote medical rescue researchers and professionals. Ongoing evidence-based research and review contributes to a unique and innovative approach to patient care in backcountry and austere settings. The curriculum is comprehensive, complete, and kept current on an annual basis. This is the most current and cutting-edge course of any first response medical training (urban or remote) in the world.
The general principles of wilderness and rescue medicine with an emphasis on the prevention and identification of medical emergencies, appropriate technology, and risk management.
Patient assessment and emergency care including CPR, basic life support, and the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis and asthma.
Environmental medicine including altitude illness, hypothermia and heat illness, frostbite and cold injury, lightning, submersion, and environmental toxins.
Backcountry medicine including the assessment and treatment of common medical problems.
Musculoskeletal problems including unstable and stable injuries, overuse syndromes, and dislocations.
Wound management including open fractures, lacerations, burns and blisters.
Practical skills including splinting, bandaging, litter packaging and medical kit preparation.
WMA wilderness protocols including wound cleaning and exploration, spine injury assessment, dislocation reduction, CPR in the remote setting, and anaphylaxis and asthma.
-
Upon successful completion, students will receive a Wilderness First Responder certification as well as a CPR certification equivalent to the American Heart Association's BLS CPR standard. These certifications remain valid for three years. Note: WMA WEMS graduates with a current EMS license may also recertify the wilderness portion of their WEMS certification with this course.
-
Early Bird $325 / person
Regular 357.5 / person
*Get early bird Pricing by booking at least 5 weeks in advance.
Use Code: Early_Bird_26
Students must be at least 16 years old to participate in this course. Those under 18 years of age require the written consent of a parent or guardian.
You invested hours of your time and energy into wilderness and remote medical training. Don’t let your knowledge and certification slip away. Our re-certification courses are only for prior WFR and WEMS students. The recert is designed to update, refresh, and continue building on skills you learned in your initial WFR or WEMS certification. You will leave with a better grasp of the concepts and skills you originally learned, along with additional practice provided by hands on skills stations and scenarios.
Wilderness First Responder - RECERTIFICATION
This WFR Recert is designed to re-certify and refresh your Wilderness First Responder certification and skills. WMA International invites eligible WFR graduates from other wilderness medical schools to re-certify with us. In order to re-certify, WMA requires that your certification is still current and NOT expired (or past the grace period). Current OEC certification holders can also re-certify and receive a WFR certification.
Register for a Wilderness First Responder Course - RECERT
2026 Courses
Book at least 5 weeks before course and save 10% with Code: Early_Bird_26
Private/Custom Courses
Your location | Your crew
Contact us for rates
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Wilderness First Responder certifications are renewed by completing a WFR recertification course, which reviews patient assessment, trauma management, medical emergencies, and evacuation decision-making.
-
No. Most participants can complete a shorter recertification course (24 hours) rather than repeating the full 70–80 hour WFR course, provided their certification has not expired beyond the allowable window
-
If a Wilderness First Responder certification expires beyond the recertification window, participants may be required to complete the full WFR course again to regain certification.
-
No. Recertification reinforces existing skills and decision-making rather than expanding the scope of practice
All course content follows Wilderness Medicine Associates curriculum standards and emphasizes practical decision-making in remote environments.
Soap Notes
Hybrid or In-Person WFR?
Wounded Bear Medicine teaches both a fully in person and a hybrid online/in person Wilderness First Responder. We often get questions about which one to take. Both courses cover the same material in the same amount of total time and we find that each student needs to determine which course type and schedule works best for them.