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	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	Wed. 12-2pm Sat. 2-3pm
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

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

Note: To qualify for the Summer Course (June 30th - July 31st), you must pass your pre-test by June 14th.

Note: To qualify for the Fall I Course (Sept 2nd - Oct 26th), you must pass your pre-test by August 16th.

Note: To qualify for the Fall II Course (Oct 27th - Dec 21st), you must pass your pre-test by Oct 11th.

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

*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 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 6/22 to attend

Branch	Borough	Dates/Times
Harlem	Manhattan	Mon 6/23 - Fri 6/27 9am-5pm
Vanderbilt	Manhattan	Mon 6/23 - Fri 6/27 10am-6pm
Prospect Park	Brooklyn	Mon 6/23 - Fri 6/27 9am-5pm

Summer Session

In-Person Class: June 30th - July 31st, 2025.
The course is a 4 week course.

In-Person Class Location	Dates	Times
Staten Island
Broadway (Tues & Thurs)	July 1, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29	9-2:00pm
Queens
Jamaica (Tues & Thurs)	July 1, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29	10-3:00pm

Fall I 2025 Session

In-Person Class Location	Dates	Times
Manhattan
McBurney (Sun)	Sept 7, 14, 21, 28, Oct 5, 12, 19, 26	9-2:00pm
Queens
Cross Island (Sat)	Sept 6, 13, 20, 27, Oct 4, 11, 18, 25	1-6:00pm
Bronx
Castle Hill (Mon)	Sept 8, 15, 22, 29, Oct 6, 13, 20	3:30-9:00pm
Staten Island
South Shore (Tues)	Sept 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Oct 7, 14, 21	4-9:00pm
Brooklyn
North Brooklyn (Thur)	Sept 4, 11, 18, 25, Oct 2, 9, 16, 23	10-3:00pm

Fall II 2025 Session

In-Person Class Location	Dates	Times
Manhattan
West Side (Sat)	Nov 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Dec 6, 13, 20	10-3:00pm
Queens
Jamaica (Thurs)	Oct 30, Nov 6, 13, 20, Dec 4, 11, 18	10-3:30pm
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

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

Are you a certified lifeguard? Apply today to join our team and serve your community!

View Open Jobs

Questions?

Interested in learning more about our lifeguard certification courses?

Contact Us