Basic Life SupportAdult First AidEmergency Use of Medical OxygenY Lifeguard ClassroomPool/Water Skills TimeeLearning TimeCourse HoursIntroductory e-Learning: 9 hoursClassroom Learning: 13 hoursWater/Pool Skills: 15 hoursTotal Time: 37 hoursMust attend all sessions. Any lateness exceeding 15 minutes is counted as not attending. Each component has a physical skill and written exam. Completion of the physical skills is mandatory to take the written exam. Passing grade is 80% for written exams.

YMCA Lifeguard Training & Certification

Q: Pre-Test Requirements

1. Tread water for 2 minutes - use legs only.2. Swim 100 yards of front crawl.3. Swim 50 yards of each:SidestrokeBreaststrokeElementary backstroke4. Complete feet-first surface dive and 15 feet underwater swim.5. Perform 60-foot sprint, then do an head-first surface dive to retrieve object at the bottom of pool and hold at surface treading for 1 minute.6. Submerge to the bottom using a foot-first surface dive, replace the object on the bottom of the pool where it was found, and return to the surface.7. Swim the remaining length to end of pool, and hoist yourself out of water.8. Perform compressions on an adult manikin and follow directions of the instructor.*Note: Goggles may be used for sections 1-4, and must be removed for sections 5-8.

Earn while you learn! You’re one click away from starting your journey to become a lifeguard!

The YMCA’s nationally-recognized Lifeguard Certification program prepares you for one of the most highly demanded jobs in the country.

Course is free
2024 Participants earn a stipend while taking the lifeguard training course
Get a new hire bonus when you become certified through our course and join our team
YMCA Lifeguard Course allows the use of corrective lenses.
Minimum age to participate is 16 years old by the final day of the course.
This is the YMCA Lifeguard v6 Certification.

Can I pass the required pretest? See below for the pretest requirements.

What does the Pre-Test Involve?

Pre-Test Requirements

1. Tread water for 2 minutes - use legs only.

2. Swim 100 yards of front crawl.

3. Swim 50 yards of each:

Sidestroke
Breaststroke
Elementary backstroke

4. Complete feet-first surface dive and 15 feet underwater swim.

5. Perform 60-foot sprint, then do an head-first surface dive to retrieve object at the bottom of pool and hold at surface treading for 1 minute.

6. Submerge to the bottom using a foot-first surface dive, replace the object on the bottom of the pool where it was found, and return to the surface.

7. Swim the remaining length to end of pool, and hoist yourself out of water.

8. Perform compressions on an adult manikin and follow directions of the instructor.

*Note: Goggles may be used for sections 1-4, and must be removed for sections 5-8.

Register for the Pre-Test

We regularly schedule pre-tests to confirm your swim ability meets the standard for the Lifeguard Certification Course. Register for your pre-test below.

Register

YMCA Branches	Time
Brooklyn
Bed-Stuy	Sat. 3-4pm
Coney Island	*currently not offering
North Brooklyn	Mon. 12-2pm Thurs. 2-4pm
Prospect Park	*currently not offering
Queens
Cross Island	Sat. 1-2pm *Limited availability
Flushing	Tue. 2-4pm Thu. 2-4pm
Jamaica	Fri. 4:30-5pm
Rockaway	*currently not offering
Manhattan
Harlem	*currently not offering
McBurney	*currently not offering
Vanderbilt	Tue. 11-1pm
West Side	Sat. 10-10:30am
Staten Island
Broadway	Tue. 4-4:30pm Fri. 3-4pm
South Shore	Tue. 3-3:30pm Thurs. 3-3:30pm Sun. 4-5pm
The Bronx
Castle Hill	Tue. 4-6pm
La Central	Mon. 4-6pm Thu. 4-6pm

Note: To qualify for the Fall I Course (Sept 2nd - Oct 27th), you must pass your pre-test by August 17th.

Note: To qualify for the Fall II Course (Oct 28th - December 22nd), you must pass your pre-test by October 12th.

Note: To qualify for the December Break Week Course (December 26th - 30th), you must pass your pre-test by December 9th.

Note: To qualify for the Winter 2025 Course (January 2nd - February 23rd), you must pass your pre-test by December 14th.

*Pretest must be taken less than 90 days from the start of the session you would like to attend.

You will need to bring a swimsuit, a swim cap, and a towel to the pretest. Goggles are optional.

Register

Course Dates

After you successfully pass the pre-test, you may participate in our free Lifeguard Certification Course. Below are upcoming courses in New York City. Note: You do not need to take your pre-test in the same location you plan to take the certification course.

Fall I Session

In-Person Class Location	Dates	Times
Manhattan
West Side (Thurs)	Sept 5, 12, 19, 26, Oct 3, 10, 17, 24	10am-3pm
Queens
Cross Island (Sat)	Sept 7, 14, 21, 28, Oct 5, 12, 19, 26	1:00-6:00pm
Bronx
Castle Hill (Mon)	Sept 9, 16, 23, 30, Oct 7, 14, 21	4:00-9:00pm
Staten Island
South Shore (Tue)	Sept 3, 10, 17, 24, Oct 1, 8, 15, 22	4-9:00pm
Brooklyn
Bedford-Stuyvesant (Sat)	Sept 7, 14, 21, 28, Oct 5, 12, 19, 26	2-7:00pm
Prospect Park (Fri)	Sept 7, 14, 21, 28, Oct 5, 12, 19, 26	4-9:00pm

Fall II Session

In-Person Class Location	Dates	Times
Manhattan
Harlem (Mon)	Oct 28, Nov 4, 11, 18, 25, Dec 2, 9, 16	2:00-7:30pm
Queens
Jamaica (Thur)	Oct 31, Nov 7, 14, 21, Dec 5, 12, 19	10-3:45pm
Cross Island (Sat)	Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Dec 7, 14, 21	1-6:00pm
Bronx
LaCentral (Mon & Wed)	Oct 28, 30,Nov 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27, Dec 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18	4:30-7:30pm
Staten Island
Broadway (Sat)	Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Dec 7, 14, 21	10-3:00pm
Brooklyn
North Brooklyn (Wed)	Oct 30, Nov 6, 13, 20, 27, Dec 4, 11, 18	11-4:00pm

December Break Session

In-Person Class: Thursday, December 26 to Monday, December 30, 2024.
The course is a 5 Day Intensive Course: All eLearning must be completed prior to 12/23 to attend

Branch	Borough	Dates/Times
Harlem	Manhattan	Thur 12/26 - Mon 12/30 9am-5pm
McBurney	Manhattan	Thur 12/26 - Mon 12/30 9am-5pm
Coney Island	Brooklyn	Thur 12/26 - Mon 12/30 9am-5pm

Lifeguard Certification Course Description

Course Components

Basic Life Support
Adult First Aid
Emergency Use of Medical Oxygen
Y Lifeguard Classroom
Pool/Water Skills Time
eLearning Time
Course Hours

Introductory e-Learning: 9 hours
Classroom Learning: 13 hours
Water/Pool Skills: 15 hours
Total Time: 37 hours

Must attend all sessions. Any lateness exceeding 15 minutes is counted as not attending. Each component has a physical skill and written exam. Completion of the physical skills is mandatory to take the written exam. Passing grade is 80% for written exams.

Open Lifeguard Positions

Are you a certified lifeguard? Apply today to join our team and serve your community!

View Open Jobs

Questions?

Interested in learning more about our lifeguard certification courses?

Contact Us