
This IPAC certification online is built for healthcare workers who need infection control training. It is self-paced, beginner-friendly, and takes about one hour. For just $20, you earn a downloadable certificate you can hand to any employer. Whether you are a nurse, PSW, dental staff, or home care worker, this course is for you.
Infection Control and Prevention Basics for Healthcare Workplaces gives you the core skills to protect yourself, your coworkers, and the people in your care. Also, no prior knowledge is needed to enroll. You can start right away and finish at your own pace.
Browse all CHCPTI online courses here.
IPAC stands for Infection Prevention and Control. It is the set of practices healthcare workers use to stop infections from spreading. Also, IPAC applies in every care setting — hospitals, clinics, LTC homes, dental offices, and home care programs.
Germs spread through hand contact, shared tools, droplets, and the air. As a result, poor infection control puts both patients and staff at risk. It can lead to mild illness, large outbreaks, or serious work-related exposures.
That is why IPAC certification is now a standard job requirement across healthcare worldwide. Employers expect frontline workers to apply infection control steps every single day. So, finishing a recognized infection control course is the fastest way to prove you are ready.
CHCPTI — the Canadian Health Care Provider Training Institute — offers this IPAC course online. Based in Mississauga, Ontario, CHCPTI provides affordable and practical healthcare training for workers around the world.
The course has two modules. Together, they cover all the key IPAC knowledge you need at work. Each module includes a short video lesson, then closes with a quiz. In total, the course takes about one hour. Also, you can pause and resume at any time — so it fits any shift schedule.
Once you pass both quizzes, you get a downloadable IPAC certification certificate from CHCPTI. You can save it, print it, and hand it to your employer the same day. It works for onboarding, HR files, and professional development records.
First, this module teaches you how infections spread. The core concept is the chain of infection. It has six links: the germ, its host, a place it lives, a way out, a route of travel, and a way in. If you break even one link, the infection stops completely.
Next, you will learn the five main ways infections spread in healthcare settings:
Then, the module covers Routine Practices. These are the core IPAC steps used in every healthcare setting. The rule is simple: treat all blood, body fluids, and broken skin as potentially infectious — no matter what you know about the patient. This keeps you safe even when an infection has not yet been found.
In addition, you will learn about Additional Precautions. These are extra steps taken when a patient has a known or suspected infection. There are three types: Contact, Droplet, and Airborne Precautions. Moreover, each type has its own PPE rules, room setup, and care plan. These precautions are always added on top of Routine Practices.
Finally, Module 1 teaches point-of-care risk assessment (PCRA). Before each patient interaction, ask yourself three quick questions: What will I do? What is my exposure risk? What precautions do I need? This quick habit helps you make the right call before every single task.
Module 2 focuses on the daily actions that make Routine Practices work. First, it covers hand hygiene in depth, since it is the single most important step a healthcare worker can take to stop infections. You will learn two methods: alcohol-based hand rub and soap-and-water handwashing. Also, you will learn when to use each one and the correct steps for both. The module follows the WHO 5 Moments of Hand Hygiene so you know exactly when to clean your hands.
Next, the module covers personal protective equipment (PPE). Picking the right PPE for each task is a key part of any IPAC certification program. You will learn how to choose PPE based on your exposure risk. Moreover, you will practise the right order to put PPE on (don) and take it off (doff) without touching your face. The removal order is just as important as wearing PPE in the first place.
Then, the module explains respiratory etiquette. These are simple habits that cut the spread of respiratory infections. They include masking, proper tissue use, and keeping space from others when sick. As a result, these steps protect both staff and patients in any care setting.
In addition, you will learn how to manage patients safely under Routine Practices. This section covers:
By the end of Module 2, you will know how to apply Routine Practices in every part of your job. So, this IPAC course online is useful from the very first day back at work.
This IPAC certification online suits anyone in a healthcare setting who needs basic infection control training. No prior knowledge is required. The course starts at a beginner level and builds from there.
It is a great fit for:
In short, if your work puts you near patients, residents, or their care environments, this infection control course is for you.
Learn more about how CHCPTI trains healthcare workers.
Many free infection control resources exist online. However, CHCPTI stands out for a few key reasons. Here is what makes this IPAC certification online different.
Many free IPAC tools do not give you a certificate. CHCPTI does. You can download it right after you finish. As a result, you can send it to your employer the same day you complete the course.
Some free IPAC tools need you to create a government or institution account before you can start. This course, however, gives you instant access. Just register, pay, and start learning — no setup needed.
You can take this course on your phone, tablet, or laptop. No special app or software is needed. All you need is a browser and an internet connection.
Questions come up while learning. That is why CHCPTI offers help by phone, WhatsApp, and email during business hours. So, you are never stuck on your own.
The course content aligns with internationally recognized infection control guidelines, including those from the World Health Organization (WHO). Therefore, it is relevant to healthcare workers in any country or care setting — not tied to one region’s rules.
At $20 CAD, this is one of the most affordable IPAC certifications available online. In fact, the fee is less than one hour of pay for most healthcare workers.
Infection control training requirements vary by country, region, and care setting. However, the direction worldwide is clear: IPAC education is now a standard expectation for all healthcare workers — not just infection control specialists.
In many countries, occupational health and safety laws require employers to train workers who may be exposed to infectious agents. For example, the WHO’s core infection prevention and control guidelines call for all healthcare staff to receive regular IPC training. Similarly, accreditation bodies for hospitals and clinics worldwide now include IPC competency as a key quality and safety requirement.
If you work in a regulated profession, this course may count toward your continuing education hours. Your licensing body or professional college may accept it as valid training. Also, this IPAC certification online gives you a timestamped record of completion you can submit at any time.
See our FAQ page for more details.
Even where training is not yet required by law, employers notice it. Finishing a recognized infection control course shows you take patient safety seriously. Also, it shows you are job-ready from day one — which matters in a competitive healthcare job market anywhere in the world.
Your IPAC certification online is just one hour and $20 away. There are no prerequisites, no fixed class times, and no delays. Register now and begin right away.
After you finish, you will have a clear grasp of infection prevention and control. You will also hold a downloadable certificate ready for any employer. Furthermore, you will have the confidence to apply Routine Practices and Additional Precautions correctly every shift.
Nurses, PSWs, dental teams, home care workers, and LTC staff around the world trust CHCPTI for affordable, recognized IPAC training. Join them today.
Module 1 identifies what infections are, how they spread, and how routine practices and additional precautions can help prevent or control the possible spread of infectious agents in any health care setting.
This lesson explains how infections spread through the chain of infection (source, transmission, and host). It describes the five routes of transmission and shows how routine practices—like hand hygiene, PPE, and cleaning—help prevent health care–associated infections. It also introduces when and why additional precautions (contact, droplet, airborne) are needed.
Module 2 explains how to prevent infection spread using proper hand hygiene, correct use of PPE, respiratory etiquette, and safe patient/client/resident management in health care settings.
This lesson teaches how to prevent infection spread using routine practices. You will learn correct hand hygiene methods, how to choose and safely remove PPE, how to follow respiratory etiquette, and how to manage patients/clients/residents safely through proper room placement, visitor guidance, equipment handling, cleaning, specimen collection, education, and post-mortem care.
Disclaimer:
⚠️ Please note: This is not a Heart & Stroke Foundation course.
⚠️ This training serves as a basic introduction to IPAC for healthcare workers and professionals.
This is not a comprehensive course. You may find that you need to take additional training depending on your scope of work. Public Health of Ontario and City of Toronto provide lots of resources and a free IPAC class for the general public and for healthcare workers to expand their knowledge even further. CHCPTI cannot be held liable for any information received in this course or for any omissions in IPAC requirements or any potential negative health outcomes for your clients. This course does not replace any specific recommendations of your local health department or your Doctor's recommendations.
Course name: Infection Control and Prevention Basics for Healthcare Workplaces (Canada)
Delivery: 100% online, self-paced
Level: Beginner / foundational IPAC training
Format: Short lessons + knowledge checks (recommended)
Certificate: Certificate of completion after successful completion (recommended to include)
Key topics: Chain of transmission, Routine Practices, Additional Precautions, point-of-care risk assessment, hand hygiene, PPE overview, reducing cross-contamination
Ability to read and understand workplace health/safety training content in English (or French, if you offer it)
Device with internet access (laptop/tablet/mobile) + updated browser
Audio enabled (if narration/video is included)
This course is ideal for people working or training in Canadian healthcare settings, including:
Personal Support Workers (PSWs), Health Care Aides, Continuing Care Assistants
Nurses, nursing students, and other regulated healthcare professionals
Clinic, hospital, and long-term care staff (clinical and non-clinical)
Dental, paramedical, and allied health teams
Home care and community care workers
Housekeeping/environmental services, porters, reception/front desk, maintenance, volunteers, and anyone who may be exposed to infection risks in healthcare environments