The 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.
*If youre from another country, please visit our international lifeguard page for guidelines.
Location for the 2008 NYC Lifeguard Qualifying Test
| NYC Parks Lifeguard School 533 West 59th Street (between 10th & 11th Avenues) |
Beginning January 7 Every Monday through Friday 2 Tests Daily - 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Deadline Extended: Testing Ends April 1st |
| *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. | |
