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
-
2023 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
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.
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. 12-2pm |
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 February Break Week Course (February 19th - 23rd), you must pass your pre-test by February 3rd.
Note: To qualify for the Spring I Course (February 26th - April 28th), you must pass your pre-test by February 10th.
Note: To qualify for the Spring Break Week Course (April 22nd - 27th), 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.
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.
February Break Session
In-Person Class: February 19th - 23rd, 2024
The course is a 5 Day Intensive Course: All eLearning must be completed prior to 2/18 to attend
Branch | Borough | Dates/Times |
---|---|---|
Prospect Park | Brooklyn | Mon. 2/19-Fri. 2/23 9-5pm |
Coney Island | Brooklyn | Mon. 2/19-Fri. 2/23 TBD |
Spring I Session
In-Person Class Location | Dates | Times |
---|---|---|
Manhattan | ||
Vanderbilt (Sat) | Mar 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Apr 6, 13, 20 | 1-6:00pm |
Queens | ||
Cross Island (Sat) | Mar 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Apr 6, 13, 20 | 1-6:00pm |
Bronx | ||
Castle Hill (Mon & Wed) | Feb 26, Mar 4, 11, 18, 26, Apr 1, 8, 15 | 4:30-7:30pm |
Staten Island | ||
South Shore (Tue) | Feb 27, Mar 5, 12, 19, 27, Apr 2, 9, 16 | 4-9:00pm |
Brooklyn | ||
North Brooklyn (Tues) | Feb 27, Mar 5, 12, 19, 27, Apr 2, 9, 16 | 11-4:00pm |
Spring Break Session
In-Person Class: April 22nd - 27th, 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 4/27 TBD |
Flushing | Queens | Mon 4/22 - Fri 4/27 9-5:00pm |
Rockaway | Queens | Mon 4/22 - Fri 4/27 TBD |
Spring II Session
In-Person Class Location | Dates | Times |
---|---|---|
Manhattan | ||
Harlem (TBD) | TBD | TBD |
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 |
Lifeguard Certification Course Description
- Basic Life Support
- Basic First Aid
- Oxygen administration
- 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?