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. Want to sign up for our next certification course? Your first step is to register for a pre-test below!
Register for the Pre-Test
We regularly schedule pre-tests to confirm your swim ability meets the standard for the Lifeguard Certification Course. Click the link below to register for your pre-test.
| YMCA Branches | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn | |||||||
| Bed-Stuy | 2:00 - 3:00 PM | ||||||
| Coney Island* | 4:00 - 5:00 PM | ||||||
| North Brooklyn | 4:00 - 7:00 PM | ||||||
| Prospect Park | |||||||
| Queens | |||||||
| Cross Island | 7:00 - 8:00 PM | 1:00 - 2:00 PM | |||||
| Flushing | 3:00 - 4:30 PM | ||||||
| Jamaica | 12:00 - 2:00 PM |
9:30 - 11:30AM |
|||||
| Rockaway | 3:00 - 4:00 PM | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM 3:00 - 5:00 PM |
2:00 - 3:00 PM | 11:00AM - 1:00PM | |||
| Manhattan | |||||||
| Harlem | |||||||
| McBurney | 12:00 - 2:00 PM | ||||||
| Vanderbilt | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | ||||||
| West Side** | 10:00 - 11:00 AM 3:00 - 4:00 PM |
3:00 - 4:00 PM | 10:00 - 11:00 AM 3:00 - 4:00 PM |
||||
| Staten Island | |||||||
| Broadway*** | 3:00 - 4:00 PM | 3:00 - 4:00 PM | |||||
| South Shore | 8:30 - 9:30 PM | 2:00 - 3:00 PM | |||||
| The Bronx | |||||||
| Castle Hill | 3:00 - 5:00 PM | 3:00 - 5:00 PM | |||||
| La Central |
*Excludes: 4/19, 5/17, 5/24, 5/31, 6/7
**Excludes: 4/13-4/16, 5/13, 5/27, 5/28
***Excludes: 4/21, 4/22
Castle Hill and Rockaway will not have pretesting during the Spring Break Week Course 4/18 - 4/22
Note: To qualify for the Spring II Course (May 2nd - June 26th), you must pass your pre-test by April 16th.
Note: To qualify for the June Break Course (June 27th - July 1st), you must pass your pre-test by June 11th.
You will need to bring a swimsuit, a swim cap, and a towel to the pretest. Goggles are optional.
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 surface dive to retrieve object at the bottom of pool and hold at surface treading for 1 minute.
6. Pick up an object from the bottom of pool, surface and tread water for 1 minute with legs only, then replace the object on the bottom of the pool where it was found.
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.
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 Session
Virtual and In-Person Class. The course is 2 days per week over 8 weeks:
| Virtual Class | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Class | May 2, May 9, May 16, May 23, Jun 6, Jun 13, Jun 20 | 6:00-9:00pm |
| In-person Skills Class Locations | Borough | Dates | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt (Tues) | Manhattan | May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Jun 7, 14, 21 | 1:00-4:00pm |
| Jamaica (Tues) | Queens | May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Jun 7, 14, 21 | 5:00-8:00pm |
| Castle Hill (Wed) | Bronx | May 4, 11, 18, 25, Jun 1, 8, 15, 22 | 4:00-7:00pm |
| Broadway (Wed) | Staten Island | May 4, 11, 18, 25, Jun 1, 8, 15, 22 | 4:00-7:00pm |
| Bed-Stuy (Sat) | Brooklyn | May 7, 14, 21, Jun 4, 11, 18, 25 | 2:00-5:30pm |
June Break Session
Full In-Person Class: Jun 27 to Jul 1, 2022
The course is a 5 Day Intensive Course: All eLearning must be completed prior to 6/25 to attend
| Branch | Borough | Dates & Times |
|---|---|---|
| Coney Island | Brooklyn | 9am - 5pm Mon 6/27, Tue 6/28, Wed 6/29, Thur 6/30, Fri 7/1 |
| Harlem | Manhattan | 9am - 5pm Mon 6/27, Tue 6/28, Wed 6/29, Thur 6/30, Fri 7/1 |
Lifeguard Certification Course Description
Course Components
- Basic Life Support
- Basic First Aid
- Oxygen administration
- Y Lifeguard Virtual/Classroom
- Pool/Water Skills Time
- eLearning Time
- Course Hours
Introductory e-Learning: 9 hours
Virtual/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?