FREC 4 Pre Requisites: What You Need Before You Start
FREC 4 is not just the next step after FREC 3. It is a Level 4 qualification, and that step up is real.
FREC 3, at Level 3, builds solid foundations in patient assessment, structured approaches and safe pre hospital care. FREC 4 moves you further into clinical thinking. You are expected to understand more, link things together and explain your decisions, not just follow an assessment structure.
That does not make it unmanageable. It just means preparation matters. The people who struggle are usually not the ones who lack ability. They are the ones who underestimated the level.
Here is what you need in place before you start.
This is a Level 4 qualification
Level 4 sits above A level standard and closer to early higher education in terms of how you are expected to think. That does not mean pages of complex science. It means you should be able to:
Understand why you are doing something, not just what to do
Link signs and symptoms to what may be happening in the body
Use structured assessment approaches and explain your reasoning
Work through patient scenarios in more depth
You will see this in the workbooks. You might be asked to describe your approach to an unresponsive patient using DRSCABCDE. You may need to label anatomy. You may have to discuss treatment plans, including medical and mental health presentations.
These are not trick questions. They reflect the level of clinical understanding expected as you move beyond foundational practice into more developed decision making.
The 118 hours of CPD
One of the key entry requirements for FREC 4 is 118 hours of relevant CPD.
Two points here are important.
First, the CPD must be relevant.
We are talking about development linked to pre hospital care, patient assessment, medical or trauma emergencies, anatomy and physiology and similar clinical areas. This is about building on your FREC 3 foundation and extending your knowledge and judgement.
Second, the hours only count from the date you achieved FREC 3.
Nothing before your FREC 3 qualification can be claimed. Your CPD clock starts from the day you became a FREC 3 holder.
Good CPD at this stage often includes a mix of:
Event or operational medical experience
Study days or workshops, such as ECG or respiratory assessment
Anatomy and physiology revision
Reading clinical guidance
Professional discussions about cases you have seen
It should be logged, dated and clearly described. Think of it as evidence that you have developed as a practitioner since FREC 3, not just attended things.
The minimum 20 hours of pre course study
Alongside CPD, there is an expectation of at least 20 hours of pre course study before the face to face element of FREC 4.
This is not optional homework. It is there so you arrive with the background knowledge needed to cope with the course.
We give learners access to our online learning portal before the course. Inside you will find:
Videos
Images
Guided content
Pre reading resources
This will cover part of your pre course study and point you in the right direction. However, most learners will need to go further than the portal alone to feel confident at Level 4.
The book we recommend
If there is one resource that makes a real difference at FREC 4, it is:
Ambulance Care Practice
We recommend this as your main reference book. It explains patient assessment, medical emergencies and trauma care in a way that fits the level you are stepping into. It helps you understand how patients present and how to think through what you are seeing, rather than just memorising steps.
Using Ambulance Care Practice alongside the portal content is one of the best ways to build the knowledge base expected at this level and to support your 20 hours of pre course study.
CPD Template Download
One of the biggest issues we see is not that learners have not done enough development. It is that they have not recorded it properly.
To help with that, we have created a downloadable FREC 4 CPD portfolio template. It shows:
How to structure your CPD log
The level of detail expected
Examples of suitable activities
How to record dates, hours and learning points
You can download it using the link below. We will ask for your name and email so we can send you the template and occasional updates about FREC courses and learning resources.
If you are serious about progressing to FREC 4, this is a practical place to start.
Final thoughts
FREC 4 is a step up. The expectations are higher because the scope broadens and the clinical responsibility increases. But it is very achievable for FREC 3 learners who prepare properly.
Understand the level, document your 118 hours of CPD from the date of your FREC 3, complete at least 20 hours of pre course study, and use resources like Ambulance Care Practice and the portal. Do that, and you walk into day one in a strong position rather than playing catch up.
