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Costa Rica's Law No. 6727 on Work Risks (Ley de Riesgos del Trabajo, Title IV of the Labor Code), overseen by the Occupational Health Council of the Ministry of Labor and the INS, requires every employer to provide immediate first aid and an emergency kit, with no fixed first-aider-per-worker ratio. Workplaces with 10 or more workers must form an occupational health commission.

Costa Rica's General Law on Integral Care Centers (Ley 8017), the CAI habilitation norms and the Ministry of Health's operating health permit (Permiso Sanitario de Funcionamiento) require childcare staff trained in pediatric first aid and infant/neonatal CPR. At least one certified person must be present at all hours, including outings and transport.

Costa Rica imposes a legal duty to rescue: Article 144 of the Criminal Code (Law No. 4573), "omision de auxilio" as reformed by Law 7600 of 1996, penalizes failing to aid a helpless child under ten or an injured or endangered person when you could do so without personal risk. The base offence carries a fine equal to half the base salary, with no imprisonment.

For nurses, professional currency runs through the Colegio de Enfermeras de Costa Rica, whose Certification and Recertification Section requires continuing education endorsed by its Professional Development Unit (UDP) — CPR and basic life support can count when they meet UDP criteria. Elder caregivers must additionally hold a valid first-aid and CPR certificate alongside a recognized elder-care course.

In Costa Rica's homes for the elderly and day centres — under Ley 7935 (Comprehensive Law for the Older Person), overseen by CONAPAM — caregivers must hold an elder-care course from a recognized institution (INA, CCSS, National Geriatrics Hospital), and staff are expected to be able to provide first aid and CPR. A recognized, up-to-date certificate is the way to meet that expectation.

Becoming a foster family in Costa Rica involves a training process and a psycho-socio-legal suitability assessment by PANI (Patronato Nacional de la Infancia) before a child is placed. Current first-aid and CPR training, including pediatric CPR, is a common expectation of care though not always stated as an explicit legal requirement.

Costa Rica places no explicit ban on online first-aid training — the law and regulations require first-aid capability without prescribing a format — so a recognized online course is accepted for the workplace. Certification stays current on a three-year cycle.