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The NYC Lifeguard Qualifying Test
All candidates are tested by Parks’ Lifeguard School to ensure that they meet the highest standards. Candidates interested in becoming a lifeguard must first pass a qualifying test.
To qualify, you must:
- Be able to swim 50 yards in 35 seconds with proper form.
- Have a minimum of 20/30 vision in one eye and 20/40 in the other, without corrective lenses. Glasses and contact lenses may not be worn during the eye exam.
- Be at least 16 years old when the position begins.
Once you’ve passed the qualifying test, you’re able to go onto the next step of becoming a New York City Lifeguard: the Municipal Lifeguard Training Program.
Upon completion of the training program, you must pass final swimming tests and a written test to become a lifeguard. You must be able to swim 440 yards in 7 minutes and 40 seconds to qualify for a pool assignment, or 6 minutes and 40 seconds to qualify for a beach assignment. Beach lifeguards must also complete a 300-yard ocean swim prior to receiving their assignment.
If you’re from another country, please visit our international lifeguard page for guidelines.
You may take the qualifying test for the 2012 summer season at one of the locations below. Please make sure to bring a bathing suit, a towel and a lock (for your locker). Goggles are optional. Training classes generally meet once a week for 16 weeks, so please enroll as early as possible.
| Location | Qualifying Test Date and Time |
|---|---|
|
DeWitt Clinton High School 100 West Mosholu Parkway South |
December 16: 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. December 19: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. |
|
St. Mary’s Recreation Center 450 St. Ann’s Avenue (at 145th Street) |
December 21: 6:30 to 8:30 pm |
| *Please bring a bathing suit, a towel, and a lock for a locker. Goggles are optional. | |
| Location | Qualifying Test Date and Time |
|---|---|
|
Bushwick High School 400 Irving Avenue |
December 6: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. December 13: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. |
|
Fort Hamilton High School 8301 Shore Road |
December 27: 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. January 15: 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. |
|
James Madison High School 3787 Bedford Avenue |
December 10: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. December 17: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. |
|
Metropolitan Pool & Fitness Center 261 Bedford Avenue |
December 22: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. December 29: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. |
|
New Utrecht High School 1601 80th Street |
December 9: 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. December 15: 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. |
| *Please bring a bathing suit, a towel, and a lock for a locker. Goggles are optional. | |
| Location | Qualifying Test Date and Time |
|---|---|
|
Chelsea Recreation Center 430 West 25th Street |
December 12 —January 13, Monday through Friday 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. |
| *Please bring a bathing suit, a towel, and a lock for a locker. Goggles are optional. | |
| Location | Qualifying Test Date and Time |
|---|---|
|
Far Rockaway High School 8-21 Bay 25th Street |
January 17: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
|
Grover Cleveland High School 21-27 Himrod Street |
December 7: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. December 14: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. |
|
Richmond Hill High School 89-30 114th Street, Richmond Hill |
December 5: 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. December 12: 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. January 29: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. |
| *Please bring a bathing suit, a towel, and a lock for a locker. Goggles are optional. | |
| Location | Qualifying Test Date and Time |
|---|---|
|
On Your Mark 475 Victory Boulevard |
January 17: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. January 24: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. January 31: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| *Please bring a bathing suit, a towel, and a lock for a locker. Goggles are optional. Training classes generally meet once a week for 16 weeks, so please enroll as early as possible. Upon completion of the training program, you must pass final swimming tests and a written test to become a lifeguard. You must be able to swim 440 yards in 7 minutes and 40 seconds to qualify for a pool assignment, or 6 minutes and 40 seconds to qualify for a beach assignment. Beach lifeguards must also complete a 300-yard ocean swim prior to receiving their assignment. | |
Related Links
Watch Lifeguard Video
Download Brochure (114 kb PDF)
Request Information
International lifeguard
Living and working in NYC
