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.
Can I pass the required pretest? See below for the pretest 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.
We regularly schedule pre-tests to confirm your swim ability meets the standard for the Lifeguard Certification Course. Register for your pre-test below.
YMCA Branches | Time |
---|---|
Brooklyn | |
Bed-Stuy | Fri. 3-4pm |
Coney Island | *currently not offering |
North Brooklyn | Mon. 12-2pm Wed. 2-4pm |
Prospect Park | *currently not offering |
Queens | |
Cross Island | Sat. 1-2pm |
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 | Tue. 3-4pm Fri. 3-4pm |
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 | Mon. 3-4:30pm Tue. 3-5pm |
La Central | Mon. 4-6pm Thu. 4-6pm |
Note: To qualify for the Spring Break Week Course (April 22nd - 26th), you must pass your pre-test by April 6th.
Note: To qualify for the Spring II Course (April 29th - June 23rd), you must pass your pre-test by April 13th.
Note: To qualify for the June Break Week Course (June 24th - 28th), you must pass your pre-test by June 8th.
Note: To qualify for the Summer Course (July 1st - July 31st), you must pass your pre-test by June 15th.
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.
*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.
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.
Spring Break Session
In-Person Class: April 22nd - 26th, 2024
The course is a 5 Day Intensive Course: All eLearning must be completed prior to 4/21 to attend
Branch | Borough | Dates/Times |
---|---|---|
La Central | Bronx | Mon 4/22 - Fri 4/26 10am-6pm |
Flushing | Queens | Mon 4/22 - Fri 4/26 10am-6pm |
Rockaway | Queens | Mon 4/22 - Fri 4/26 9am-5pm |
Spring II Session
In-Person Class Location | Dates | Times |
---|---|---|
Manhattan | ||
Harlem (Mon) | Apr 29, May 6, 13, 20, June 3, 10, 17 | 2:00-7:30pm |
Queens | ||
Cross Island (Sat) | May 4, 11, 18, 25, June 1, 8, 15, 22 | 1:00-6:00pm |
Bronx | ||
LaCentral (Mon & Wed) | Apr 29, May 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29, Jun 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19 | 4:30-7:30pm |
Staten Island | ||
South Shore (Tue) | Apr 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28, May 4, 11, 28 | 4-9:00pm |
Brooklyn | ||
Bedford-Stuyvesant (Sat) | May 4, 11, 18, 25, June 1, 8, 15, 22 | 2-7:00pm |
June Break Session
In-Person Class: June 24 - 28th, 2024
The course is a 5 Day Intensive Course: All eLearning must be completed prior to 6/23 to attend
Branch | Borough | Dates/Times |
---|---|---|
McBurney | Manhattan | Mon 6/24 - Fri 6/28 9am - 5pm |
Coney Island | Brooklyn | Mon 6/24 - Fri 6/28 9am - 5pm |
Flushing | Queens | Mon 6/24 - Fri 6/28 9am - 5pm |
Summer Session
In-Person Class: July 1 - July 31, 2024
The course is a 4 Week Condensed Course:
Branch | Borough | Dates/Times |
---|---|---|
West Side | Manhattan | Tue 7/2, 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30 9:30am - 2:30pm & Thurs 7/11, 7/18, 7/25 9:30am - 4:30pm |
Jamaica | Queens | Tue & Thurs 7/2, 7/9, 7/11, 7/16, 7/18, 7/23, 7/25, 7/30 10am - 3pm |
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 & Wed) | Sept 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30, Oct 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23 | 4:30-7:30pm |
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 |
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 |
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 TBD |
McBurney | Manhattan | Thur 12/26 - Mon 12/30 TBD |
Coney Island | Brooklyn | Thur 12/26 - Mon 12/30 9am-5pm |
Lifeguard Certification Course Description
- 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!
Questions?
Interested in learning more about our lifeguard certification courses?