Become a YMCA Lifeguard More about this location Home Why become a lifeguard? Program Overview: Step by Step Training Program Schedules FAQ's Contact Us Pre-test Lifeguard Development Training Course Additional Certifications Training Program SchedulesTraining courses are taught at different locations throughout the city. Our course schedule is updated monthly, so check back if you can’t find a time that works for you. Pre-testWe regularly schedule pre-tests so you can start your training program as soon as possible. You will need to bring a swimsuit, swim cap, and towel. Goggles are optional.Register SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdayThe Bronx- -Castle Hill4–6:00pmLa Central4–6:00pm---BrooklynProspect Park4-5:00pmNorth Brooklyn12-2:00pmConey Island3-3:30pm-North Brooklyn4-6:00pmBed-Stuy2-3:00pm-Manhattan--Harlem2-3:00pmMcBurney12–2:00pmHarlem2:30-4pm_____Vanderbilt10-1:00pm_____West Side11:30-12pmWest Side2:30-3pmMcBurney2–3:00pmQueens--Flushing2–3:30pm-Flushing2–3:30pmRockaway3-5:00pmCross Island1–2:00pm_____Rockaway9-11:00amStaten IslandSouth Shore3-5:00pm-Broadway3-4:00pm_____South Shore3-4:00pm Broadway3-4:00pm_____South Shore3-4:00pm-Broadway2:30-3:30pmNote: Pretest must be taken less than 90 days from the start of the training course session you would like to attend Training CourseAfter you successfully pass the pre-test and e-learning course, you may sign up for the classroom and pool course. There are 3 ways we offer the course: an 8-week course, an intensive 5-Day course, or the 4-5-week Summer Course.Note: You do not need to take your pre-test in the same location you plan to take the certification course. Standard: Spring I 2026 SessionFebruary 23–April 25, 2026MondaysSaturdaysBronxCastle HillManhattanVanderbiltBrooklynBedford-StuyvesantQueensCross IslandStaten IslandBroadwayFeb 23-April 203:30–8:30pmFeb 28-April 252–7:00pmFeb 28-April 252–7:00pmFeb 28-April 251–6:00pmFeb 28-April 2512–5:00pmNote: To qualify for the Spring I Session you must pass your pre-test by February 7thIntensive: Spring Break SessionApril 6-April 10, 2026Monday to FridayBrooklynConey IslandBrooklynProspect ParkQueensRockawayManhattanMcBurneyApril 6-109:00am–5:00pmApril 6-109:00am–5:00pmApril 6-109:00am–5:00pmApril 6-109:00am–5:00pmNote: To qualify for the Spring Break Session you must pass your pre-test by March 21st. Standard: Spring II 2026 SessionApril 28-June 20, 2026TuesdaysThursdaysSaturdaysStaten IslandSouth ShoreBronxLaCentralManhattanWest SideQueensCross IslandApril 28-June 164–9:00pmApril 30-June 183:30–8:30pmMay 2-June 2010:00am–3:30pmMay 2-June 2012:30-6pmNote: To qualify for the Spring II Course, you must pass your pre-test by April 11th Intensive: June Break SessionJune 22–26, 2026Monday to FridayBrooklynProspect ParkManhattanHarlemQueensRockawayBronxLa CentralStaten IslandSouth ShoreJune 22–269am–5:00pmJune 22–269am–5:00pmJune 22–269am–5:00pmJune 22–269am–5:00pmJune 22–269am–5:00pmNote: To qualify for the June Break Session you must pass your pre-test by June 6th. Intensive: Summer SessionJuly 1-31, 2026Tuesdays and ThursdaysWednesdaysTuesdays and FridaysQueensJamaicaStaten IslandBroadwayBronxLa CentralManhattanMcBurneyJul 2–2810am–3:00pmJul 2–289am-2:00pmJul 1–2910:30am–6:30pmJul 7-319am-2:00pmNote: To qualify for the Summer Session, you must pass your pre-test by June 13th. Standard: Fall I SessionSeptember 8-October 31, 2026MondaysTuesdaysSaturdaysSundaysBronxCastle HillStaten IslandSouth ShoreBrooklynBedford-StuyvesantQueensCross IslandManhattanMcBurneySept 14-263:30-8:30pmSept 8-274-9:00pmSept 12-312-7:00pmSept 12-311-6:00pmSept 13-Nov 19-2:00pmNote: To qualify for the Fall I Session, you must pass your pre-test by August 22nd. Standard: Fall II SessionNovember 5-December 19, 2026ThursdaysSaturdaysQueensJamaicaBronxLa CentralManhattanWest SideQueensCross IslandBrooklynBedford-StuyvesantStaten IslandBroadwayNov 5-Dec 1710am-4:00pmNov 5-Dec 173-8:30pmNov 7-1910-3:30pmNov 7-1912:30-6:00pmNov 7-192-7:30pmNov 7-1911:30-5:00pmNote: To qualify for the Fall II Session, you must pass your pre-test by October 17th. Intensive: December Break SessionDecember 26–30, 2026Saturday-WednesdayManhattanMcBurneyBrooklynProspect ParkQueensFlushingStaten IslandBroadwayDec 26–309:00am–5:00pmDec 26–309:00am–5:00pmDec 26–309:00am–5:00pmDec 26–309:00am–5:00pmNote: To qualify for the December Break Session, you must pass your pre-test by December 12th. Additional CertificationsWe occasionally offer Waterpark Certification and Waterfront Certification. We can alert you the next time one is scheduled.Notify Me Lifeguard DevelopmentWe occasionally offer a Lifeguard Development course to help you prepare to take the pre-test. We can alert you the next time one is scheduled.Notify Me These dates don’t work for you? Request notification for future training. Notify Me