FPOS vs FREC3 - What's The Difference?
Wondering if FPOS is still valid? Learn how the 2025 FREC 3 syllabus has been updated, and why it’s now the recognised UK standard in pre-hospital care.
Updated August 2025.
In the Pre-Hospital Training World, Two Courses Often Come Up: FPOS and FREC 3
Both are Level 3 qualifications and have helped thousands of learners begin or progress their careers in pre-hospital care. This blog compares the two - what they offer, how they differ, and why FREC 3 is now the preferred route for most learners and employers.
Who are the FPOS and the FREC 3 courses for?
Both FPOS (First Person On Scene) and FREC 3 (First Response Emergency Care Level 3) were designed to give learners a solid foundation in pre-hospital care. Neither require previous qualifications, although a first aid background is helpful.
They’re popular with:
Event medics
Voluntary responders
Those considering NHS ambulance careers
Important: If you're aiming to become a Community First Responder (CFR), check your local NHS trust. Many provide their own training, and external qualifications (FPOS or FREC 3) do not guarantee entry into a CFR scheme.
What is FPOS?
FPOS was once a widely recognised pre-hospital care qualification, especially popular before 2015. It came in three levels: Basic, Intermediate and Enhanced, with Intermediate being the most commonly seen.
It was a respected qualification and helped raise standards. However:
Many awarding organisations have now withdrawn it
Few centres deliver it
Progression opportunities are limited
Some certificates were issued without expiry dates
That said, FPOS is still accepted in some sectors, particularly among legacy workforces or providers who have not yet transitioned to FREC. It’s not invalid, and it’s still accepted in some areas, but it is no longer a widely delivered or actively promoted qualification. Most awarding organisations have now moved away from FPOS.
What is FREC 3?
FREC 3 is the modern, structured qualification that replaced FPOS in most settings overseen by Qualsafe Awards. It’s endorsed by the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care (FPHC) and is designed in line with the expectations of the Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine (PHEM) framework, specifically aligning with Descriptor D. This reflects the skill set expected of responders operating under clinical governance in non-registered roles.
Delivered over five days, the qualification includes both theory and practical assessments and forms part of the broader FREC pathway:
Many learners complete FREC 3 as a standalone course to access additional work in the security sector or event medicine. However, for those looking to join the ambulance service, FREC 3 and above can provide a solid foundation and access to experience through patient-facing roles like event medicine, better preparing you for frontline ambulance roles.
Other awarding organisations do offer similar qualifications at Level 3. However, these often do not have clear routes of progression.
What's New in the 2025 FREC 3 Syllabus?
The 2025 update from Qualsafe Awards brings a redesigned structure that better reflects the realities of modern pre-hospital care. The updates improve clarity, consistency and learner experience.
Key changes include:
A single multiple choice exam covering the entire qualification (replacing separate unit tests)
An anatomy and physiology paper sat independently of the main MCQ
A new two-day FREC 3 RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) route for those with FPOS, RTACC or similar qualifications
Updated assessment criteria to ensure national consistency
New optional clinical modules, delivered only where operationally required and supported by clinical governance:
Supraglottic airways
Blood glucose monitoring
Naloxone administration
Entonox and Penthrox
These changes streamline the qualification, raise standards and ensure FREC 3 remains clinically credible across multiple settings.
What Do These Courses Have in Common?
Both FPOS and FREC 3 cover similar core subjects:
Adult, child and infant BLS
Trauma and minor injuries
Medical emergencies
Secondary surveys and scene assessment
Airway adjuncts and oxygen therapy
The main difference is that FREC 3 is current, structured and recognised across a wider range of employers.
Can I Convert FPOS into FREC 3?
Yes. If you’ve completed FPOS recently or hold RTACC or similar qualifications, you may be eligible for a 2-day RPL course.
NR Medical Training delivers this as a fast-track, clinically robust conversion route. It's ideal for:
Event medics looking to upskill
Close Protection Officers needing recognised credentials
Responders returning to the industry
How Much Do These Courses Cost?
Prices vary nationally. FREC 3 courses typically range from £350 to £800 depending on location, facilities and instructor experience.
At NR Medical Training, we:
Always use 2 Paramedic or EMT instructors for high-quality teaching
Include real patients and moulage where appropriate
Offer Klarna payments to spread the cost when booking online
Our pricing reflects the value of clinician-led instruction and learner support.
What Work Can I Do After FREC 3?
Learners have gone on to roles including:
Event medical cover (stadiums, festivals, public events)
Film and TV set medics
Close Protection support
Industrial or construction-based responders
Some progress to FREC 4 and take on:
Emergency Care Assistant (ECA) roles
Frontline NHS ambulance support (via private providers)
FREC is nationally and internationally recognised and respected, especially where governance, insurance and regulatory frameworks matter.
Why NR Medical Training Chooses FREC Over FPOS
We’re a Qualsafe Awards Centre, which means we can offer:
FREC 3
FREC 3 RPL route
FREC 4
Our trainers come from operational backgrounds. We believe learners benefit most from qualifications that are current, nationally recognised and mapped to the realities of practice.
Final Thoughts
FPOS was - and still can be a good qualification. But the industry has moved on.
If you’re serious about pre-hospital care and want to be insurable, employable and professionally credible, FREC 3 is the course to take.
FAQ’s
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Yes, in some settings. But it’s no longer widely promoted or used as a stepping stone to further qualifications.
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Yes, via a 2-day Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) course with NR Medical Training.
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Yes, by the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care (RCSEd). It’s the only Level 3 qualification of its type with this endorsement.
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No course can guarantee employment, but FREC 3 is widely recognised by NHS trusts, private ambulance services and insurers.
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Yes — if your role requires it and your organisation has appropriate governance.
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Three years. After that, you’ll need to complete a requalification course.
Requalification will either consist of a 2 or 3 day course. To be eligible for the 2 day requalifiacation course you’ll need to evidence annual BLS refreshers.
If your certificate is out of date, even by 1 day, you’ll need to complete the full 5 day course. We recommend you start looking for your requal course about 6 months prior to expiry.
