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 | Time |
|---|---|
| Brooklyn | |
| Bed-Stuy | Fri. 2-3pm |
| Coney Island | |
| North Brooklyn | Mon. 12-2pm Tue. 2-4pm Wed. 1-3pm |
| Prospect Park | |
| Queens | |
| Cross Island | Wed. 7-8pm Sat. 1-2pm |
| Flushing | Tue. 2-4pm Thu. 2-4pm |
| Jamaica | Sat. 12-12:30pm |
| Rockaway | Mon. 10-12pm Mon. 3-4:30pm |
| Manhattan | |
| Harlem | |
| McBurney | Tue. 12-1:30pm |
| Vanderbilt | Tue. 11-1pm Thu. 11-1pm |
| West Side** | Tue. 3-4pm Wed. 3-4pm Thu. 3-4pm Fri. 3-4pm |
| Staten Island | |
| Broadway* | Tue. 3:30-4:30pm |
| South Shore | Mon. 8-9pm Sat. 4-5pm |
| The Bronx | |
| Castle Hill*** | Mon. 3-5pm Tue. 3-5pm |
| La Central | Mon. 4-6pm Thu. 4-6pm |
*Excludes: 9/27
**Excludes 10/4/ - 10/7
***Excludes 10/4
Note: To qualify for the December Break Week Course (December 26th - 30th), you must pass your pre-test by December 10th.
Note: To qualify for the Winter Course (January 2nd - February 26th), you must pass your pre-test by December 17th.
Note: To qualify for the February Break Week Course (February 20th - 24th), you must pass your pre-test by February 4th.
Note: To qualify for the Spring I Course (February 27th - April 30th), you must pass your pre-test by February 11th.
Note: To qualify for the Spring Break Week Course (April 10th - 14th), you must pass your pre-test by March 25th.
Note: To qualify for the Spring II Course (May 1st - June 25th), you must pass your pre-test by April 15th.
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.
December Break Session
In-Person Class: December 26th - December 30th, 2022
The course is a 5 Day Intensive Course: All eLearning must be completed prior to 12/24 to attend
| Branch | Borough | Dates/Times |
|---|---|---|
| South Shore | Staten Island | Mon.12/26 - Fri. 12/30 9-5pm |
| La Central | Bronx | Mon.12/26 - Fri. 12/30 10-6pm |
| Flushing | Queens | Mon.12/26 - Fri. 12/30 10-6pm |
Winter Session
| In-Person Class Location | Dates | Times |
|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | ||
| Vanderbilt (Sat) | Jan 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb 4, 11, 18, 25 | 1:00-6:00 pm |
| Queens | ||
| Cross Island (Sat) | Jan 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb 4, 11, 18, 25 | 1:00-6:00 pm |
| Bronx | ||
| La Central (Wed) | Jan 4, 11, 18, 25, Feb 1, 8, 15, 22 | 3:00-8:00pm |
| Staten Island | ||
| Broadway (Sat) | Jan 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb 4, 11, 18, 25 | 9:00-2:00pm |
| Brooklyn | ||
| Bedford-Stuyvesant (Sat) | Jan 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb 4, 11, 18, 25 | 2:00-7:00pm |
February Break Session
In-Person Class: February 20th - February 24th, 2023
The course is a 5 Day Intensive Course: All eLearning must be completed prior to 2/19 to attend
| Branch | Borough | Dates/Times |
|---|---|---|
| Coney Island | Brooklyn | Mon. 2/20 - Fri. 2/24 8am-4pm |
| Rockaway | Queens | Mon. 2/20 - Fri. 2/24 8am-4pm |
Spring I Session
| In-Person Class Location | Dates | Times |
|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | ||
| Vanderbilt (Sat) | Mar 4, 11, 18, 25, Apr 1, 15, 22, 29 | 1:00-6:00 pm |
| Queens | ||
| Cross Island (Sat) | Mar 4, 11, 18, 25, Apr 1, 15, 22, 29 | 1:00-6:00 pm |
| Bronx | ||
| Castle Hill (Mon + Wed) | Feb 27, Mar 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29, Apr 3, 5, 17, 19, 24, 26 | 4:30-7:30 pm |
| Staten Island | ||
| South Shore (Tues) | Feb 28, Mar 7, 14, 21, 28, Apr 4, 18, 25 | 4:00-9:00pm |
| Brooklyn | ||
| Bedford-Stuyvesant (Sat) | Mar 4, 11, 18, 25, Apr 1, 15, 22, 29 | 2:00-7:00pm |
Spring Break Session
In-Person Class: April 10th - April 14th, 2023
The course is a 5 Day Intensive Course: All eLearning must be completed prior to 4/8 to attend
| Branch | Borough | Dates/Times |
|---|---|---|
| La Central | Bronx | Mon. 4/10 - Fri. 4/14 9-5pm |
| Rockaway | Queens | Mon. 4/10 - Fri. 4/14 8-4pm |
Lifeguard Certification Course Description
Course Components
- 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?