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
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 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	Fri. 2-3pm
Coney Island	Mon. 3-4pm
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	Wed. 6-7pm Thur. 11:30-12pm
Staten Island
Broadway	Tue. 3-3:30pm Wed. 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 Spring I Course (Feb 24th - April 27th), you must pass your pre-test by February 8th.

Note: To qualify for the Spring Break Week Course (April 14th - 18th), you must pass your pre-test by March 29th.

Note: To qualify for the Spring II Course (April 28th - June 22nd), you must pass your pre-test by April 12th.

Note: To qualify for the June Break Week Course (June 23rd - 27th), you must pass your pre-test by June 7th.

*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.

Spring I 2025 Session

In-Person Class Location	Dates	Times
Manhattan
Vanderbilt (Sat)	Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Apr 5, 12, 26	2:00-7:00pm
Queens
Cross Island (Sat)	Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Apr 5, 12, 26	1-6:00pm
Bronx
Castle Hill (Mon)	Feb 24, Mar 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Apr 7, 21	4-9:00pm
Staten Island
Broadway (Sat)	Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Apr 5, 12, 26	12-5:00pm
Brooklyn
Bed-Stuy (Sat)	Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Apr 5, 12, 26	2-7:00pm

Spring Break Session

In-Person Class: April 14th - 18th, 2025.
The course is a 5 Day Intensive Course: All eLearning must be completed prior to 4/13 to attend

Branch	Borough	Dates/Times
Rockaway	Queens	Mon 4/14 - Fri 4/18 9-5:00pm
Prospect Park	Brooklyn	Mon 4/14 - Fri 4/18 9-5:00pm
Coney Island	Brooklyn	Mon 4/14 - Fri 4/18 9-5:00pm

Spring II 2025 Session

In-Person Class Location	Dates	Times
Manhattan
West Side (Sat)	May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Jun 7, 14, 21	10-3:00pm
Queens
Flushing (Thur)	May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Jun 5, 12, 26	2-7:00pm
Bronx
LaCentral (Thur)	May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Jun 5, 12, 26	3:30-8:30pm
Staten Island
South Shore (Tues)	April 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17	4-9:00pm
Brooklyn
North Brooklyn (Thur)	May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Jun 5, 12, 26	10-3:00pm

June Break Session

In-Person Class: June 23rd - June 27th, 2025.
The course is a 5 Day Intensive Course: All eLearning must be completed prior to 6/7 to attend

Branch	Borough	Dates/Times
Harlem	Manhattan	Mon 6/23 - Fri 6/27 TBD
Vanderbilt	Manhattan	Mon 6/23 - Fri 6/27 TBD
Prospect Park	Brooklyn	Mon 6/23 - Fri 6/27 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

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Questions?

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