HSI Basic Life SupportHSI Adult First AidHSI Pediatric First AidHSI Emergency Use of Medical OxygenY Lifeguard ClassroomPool/Water Skills TimeeLearning TimeCourse HoursIntroductory e-Learning: 9 hoursClassroom Learning: 20 hoursWater/Pool Skills: 16 hoursTotal Time: 45 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. Swim 100 yards of front crawl with Rotary Breathing.2. Swim 100 yards of Breaststroke.3. Swim 50 yards of each:Front crawl with head-upBreaststroke with head-upElementary backstroke kick with hands on chest/stomach4. Tread water for 2 minutes - use legs only.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. Swim the remaining length on your back holding the object with both hands to end of pool. Place the object on the deck and hoist yourself out of water.7. 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 5-7.

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
2025 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 v7 Certification.

How can I participate?

Pass the Pre-Test
Sign up for and complete the Prerequisite online training
Register for an in-person lifeguard training course

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

What does the Pre-Test Involve?

Pre-Test Requirements

1. Swim 100 yards of front crawl with Rotary Breathing.

2. Swim 100 yards of Breaststroke.

3. Swim 50 yards of each:

Front crawl with head-up
Breaststroke with head-up
Elementary backstroke kick with hands on chest/stomach

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

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. Swim the remaining length on your back holding the object with both hands to end of pool. Place the object on the deck and hoist yourself out of water.

7. 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 5-7.

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

Note: To qualify for the December Break Week Course (Fri Dec 26th - Tues Dec 30th), you must pass your pre-test by Dec 6th.

Note: To qualify for the Winter Course (Jan 2nd - Feb 26th), you must pass your pre-test by December 13th.

Note: To qualify for the February Break Week Course (Feb 16th - Feb 20th), you must pass your pre-test by January 31st.

Note: To qualify for the Spring I Course (Feb 23rd - Apr 26th), you must pass your pre-test by February 7th.

Note: To qualify for the Spring Break Week Course (Apr 6th - Apr 10th), you must pass your pre-test by March 21st.

*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 II 2025 Session

In-Person Class Location	Dates	Times
Manhattan
McBurney (Sun)	Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Dec 7, 14, 21	9-2:00pm
Queens
Jamaica (Thurs)	Oct 30, Nov 6, 13, 20, Dec 4, 11, 18	10-3:30pm
Cross Island (Sat)	Nov 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Dec 6, 13, 20	1-6:00pm
Bronx
La Central (Thurs)	Oct 30, Nov 6, 13, 20, Dec 4, 11, 18	3:30-9:00pm
Staten Island
Broadway (Sat)	Nov 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Dec 6, 13, 20	12-5:00pm
Brooklyn
Bed-Stuy (Sat)	Nov 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Dec 6, 13, 20	2-7:00pm

December Break Session

In-Person Class: Friday, December 26th - Tuesday, December 30th, 2025.
The course is a 5 Day Intensive Course: All eLearning must be completed prior to 12/24 to attend

Branch	Borough	Dates/Times
McBurney	Manhattan	Fri 12/26 - Tue 12/30 9am - 5pm
Flushing	Queens	Fri 12/26 - Tue 12/30 9am - 5pm
Prospect Park	Brooklyn	Fri 12/26 - Tue 12/30 9am - 5pm

Winter 2026 Session

In-Person Class Location	Dates	Times
Manhattan
Vanderbilt (Sat)	Jan 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Feb 7, 14, 21	9-2:00pm
Queens
Flushing (Thurs)	Jan 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb 5, 12, 19	2-7:30pm
Bronx
La Central (Thurs)	Jan 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb 5, 12, 19	3:30-9:00pm
Staten Island
South Shore (Tues)	Jan 6, 13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 10, 17	4-9:30pm
Brooklyn
Bed-Stuy (Sat)	Jan 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Feb 7, 14, 21	2-7:00pm

February Break Session

In-Person Class: Monday, February 16th - Friday, February 20th, 2026.
The course is a 5 Day Intensive Course.

Branch	Borough	Dates/Times
Harlem	Manhattan	Mon 2/16 - Fri 2/20 9am - 5pm
Jamaica	Queens	Mon 2/16 - Fri 2/20 9am - 5pm
Coney Island	Brooklyn	Mon 2/16 - Fri 2/20 9am - 5pm

Spring I 2026 Session

In-Person Class Location	Dates	Times
Manhattan
Vanderbilt (Sat)	Feb 28, Mar 7, 14, 21, 28, Apr 4, 11, 25	2-7:00pm
Queens
Cross Island (Sat)	Feb 28, Mar 7, 14, 21, 28, Apr 4, 11, 25	1-6:00pm
Bronx
Castle Hill (Mon)	Feb 23, Mar 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Apr 13, 20	3:30-8:30pm
Staten Island
Broadway (Sat)	Feb 28, Mar 7, 14, 21, 28, Apr 4, 11, 25	12-5:00pm
Brooklyn
Bed-Stuy (Sat)	Feb 28, Mar 7, 14, 21, 28, Apr 4, 11, 25	2-7:00pm

Spring Break Session

In-Person Class: Monday, April 6th - Friday, April 10th, 2026.
The course is a 5 Day Intensive Course.

Branch	Borough	Dates/Times
McBurney	Manhattan	Mon 4/6 - Fri 4/10 9am - 5pm
Rockaway	Queens	Mon 4/6 - Fri 4/10 9am - 5pm
Coney Island	Brooklyn	Mon 4/6 - Fri 4/10 9am - 5pm

Lifeguard Certification Course Description

Course Components

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

Introductory e-Learning: 9 hours
Classroom Learning: 20 hours
Water/Pool Skills: 16 hours
Total Time: 45 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

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Questions?

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