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.
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.
| YMCA Branches | Time |
|---|---|
| Brooklyn | |
| Bed-Stuy | Fri. 2-3pm |
| 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 | Thu. 11:30-12pm Sat. 2-2:30pm |
| Staten Island | |
| Broadway | Tue. 3-3:30pm Thur. 3-3:30pm |
| 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 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.
Note: To qualify for the February Break Week Course (February 17th - 21st), you must pass your pre-test by February 1st.
Note: To qualify for the Spring I Course (Feb 24th - April 22nd), you must pass your pre-test by February 8th.
*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.
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 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 |
Winter 2025 Session
| In-Person Class Location | Dates | Times |
|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | ||
| Vanderbilt | TBD | 1:00-6:00pm |
| Queens | ||
| Flushing | TBD | TBD |
| Bronx | ||
| LaCentral | TBD | TBD |
| Staten Island | ||
| South Shore | TBD | 4:00-9:00pm |
| Brooklyn | ||
| Bed-Stuy | TBD | 2:00-7:00pm |
February Break Session
In-Person Class: February 17th - 21st, 2025.
The course is a 5 Day Intensive Course: All eLearning must be completed prior to 2/16 to attend
| Branch | Borough | Dates/Times |
|---|---|---|
| Harlem | Manhattan | Mon 2/17 - Fri 2/21 TBD |
| Jamaica | Queens | Mon 2/17 - Fri 2/21 TBD |
| Coney Island | Brooklyn | Mon 2/17 - Fri 2/21 TBD |
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!
Questions?
Interested in learning more about our lifeguard certification courses?