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Lifeguard Class in Hillsborough County Florida
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Lifeguard Class in Hillsborough County Florida runs as a blended course, with online coursework followed by in-person water skills sessions.
Lifeguard certification in Hillsborough County, Florida at a glance
Lifeguard certification in Hillsborough County, Florida starts at $195.00 and takes 7.5 hours online, then 2 in-person days. You must be at least 15 years old and swim 300 yards continuously to qualify.
- Cost
- Per participant the price starts at $195.00, with group discounts offered.
- Course length
- 7.5 hours online, then 2 in-person days.
- Minimum age
- Minimum age 15, measured on the last day of class.
- Swim test
- Front crawl and breaststroke across 300 continuous yards, a 2 minute armless tread, and a 10-lb brick carried back from 7 to 10 feet within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
- Certifications
- The award spans Lifeguarding, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, and First Aid.
- Valid for
- Valid two years from issue. Recertification takes 10 hours of in-person training.
- Format
- Blended: you complete the online portion independently, then attend skills sessions in Hillsborough County, Florida.
The Lifeguard Class in Hillsborough County Florida is the same course whether you plan to work at a pool, a camp or a waterfront. Tampa is the largest community in the county and the usual starting point for candidates. $195 covers the whole course from the first session to the card.
Most people in the room are either starting their first guarding job or returning to one. Skills taught include CPR, AED operation, First Aid, surveillance, emergency response and in water rescues. Sites like Picnic Island Beach and Gardenville Beach are the kind of place that hires.
Course dates come round often, so a Hillsborough County candidate rarely waits long. Reserve a place online, then bring a swimsuit and a towel.
Locations for Lifeguard classes in Florida
- Lifeguard classes in Baker County
- Lifeguard classes in Hardee County
- Lifeguard classes in Hendry County
- Lifeguard classes in Hernando County
- Lifeguard classes in Highlands County
- Lifeguard classes in Holmes County
- Lifeguard classes in Indian River County
- Lifeguard classes in Lafayette County
- Lifeguard classes in Martin County
- Lifeguard classes in Pasco County
- Lifeguard classes in Sumter County
- See all 67 counties in Florida
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How to register for your Hillsborough County class
Choose your approved provider:
- American Aquatics and Safety Training
Places are available now. Demand is seasonal and capacity is limited, so book ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Two years.
No. In-person skills evaluation is required.
It is accepted. Employers around Hillsborough County in Florida take these certifications.
Applying is possible immediately on receipt of the digital certification card.
Where do lifeguards work in Hillsborough County?
Public mapping records 37 named aquatic facilities in Hillsborough County. Among the first 14 listed there are 7 public pools and swim clubs, 5 beaches and open-water sites and 2 water parks. That is a genuine mix of pool and open-water sites in Hillsborough County.
Aquatic facilities in Hillsborough County
- Picnic Island Beach
- Gardenville Beach
- Lithia Springs
- Apollo Beach
- Bahia Beach
- Northdale Park Splashpad
- Adventure Island
- Hunters Lake Community Swimming Pool
- Lake Saint Charles Community Pool
- The Park on Waters Swimming Pool
- Carlyle on Waters Swimming Pool
- Kings Point South Club Hot Tub
- South Fork West Community Pool
- Copeland Park Swimming Pool
Listed for orientation only. American Aquatics and Safety Training is not affiliated with, and does not run classes at, the facilities above.
Counties near Hillsborough County
The nearby counties below are also within our coverage. Because the certification is approved in almost every state in the US and CMAHC approved, it remains valid wherever among them you end up working.
Lifeguard class in Hillsborough County Florida: common questions
Where can I take lifeguard training in Hillsborough County, Florida?
American Aquatics and Safety Training runs blended lifeguard certification for candidates across Hillsborough County. The county's largest communities are Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace, and most candidates travel from those areas for the in-water portion. Coursework is completed online first, then the rescue skills, CPR/AED and First Aid sessions are done in person with an instructor.
How much does lifeguard certification cost in Hillsborough County?
The complete certification is $195.00 and bundles water rescue, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid together. If you only need one component renewed, CPR/AED alone is $25.00 and First Aid alone is $19.99.
Will I be guarding a pool or open water in Hillsborough County?
Both. The recorded venues in Hillsborough County split between pools and open water. Named sites in Hillsborough County include Picnic Island Beach, Gardenville Beach and Lithia Springs. Whether a certification is accepted for waterfront or surf positions depends on the employer and, in some states, on state rules, so check the posting before you apply. Surf beaches often run their own qualifying test.
How old do I need to be to become a lifeguard in Florida?
Pool employers generally want candidates to be 15 by the final day of the course, while waterfront and beach roles usually start at 16. Some employers in Hillsborough County set the bar higher, so read the job posting before booking.
What swim test do I have to pass?
Swim 300 yards continuously, tread water 2 minutes without arms, and retrieve a 10-pound brick from 7 to 10 feet, returning with it. The session opens with this, so plan to be in the water immediately.
Which communities in Hillsborough County does training cover?
Candidates commonly travel from Tampa (403,364 residents), Plant City (40,571 residents) and Temple Terrace (26,972 residents). Tampa is the largest community in the county, and certification is approved in almost every state in the US and CMAHC approved, so it stays valid if you take a job in a neighboring county or another state.
Facility data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Lifeguarding in Hillsborough County: the local picture
The county is home to roughly 1,535,564 residents. That makes it the 3rd most populated of the 67 counties in Florida. At 1,502 people per square mile it is an urban county, where most guarding work sits at municipal and apartment pools.
Water covers 305 square miles of Hillsborough County, 23% of its area. That ranks it 20th of 67 in the state for water area. Open water at that scale usually means waterfront and beach postings alongside pool work, and waterfront guarding is assessed differently from pool guarding.
Work tends to concentrate in Tampa (403,364), Plant City (40,571), Temple Terrace (26,972). Facilities in the larger of these usually recruit earliest, often before the season starts.
Aquatic sites recorded in Hillsborough County
- Beaches and waterfront: Picnic Island Beach, Gardenville Beach, Lithia Springs, Apollo Beach, Bahia Beach
- Water parks and splash pads: Northdale Park Splashpad, Adventure Island
- Pools: Hunters Lake Community Swimming Pool, Lake Saint Charles Community Pool, The Park on Waters Swimming Pool, Carlyle on Waters Swimming Pool, Kings Point South Club Hot Tub, South Fork West Community Pool
Candidates in Hillsborough County often travel for a class date that fits. The nearest county pages are Hardee County, Manatee County, Pasco County, Pinellas County.
The parts that do not change by county are held on their own pages: certification details, who pays for a class, refunds and rescheduling, and every area covered.
What students say
4.8 out of 5 ★★★★½ from 336 verified students who completed a course with us.
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Must do this course
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Well run and makes it fun
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remember to do prerequisites
Felix D., August 2021 - ★★★★★
Great course, overall fun experience
Michael S., August 2021 - ★★★★★
Definitely prepares you for lifeguard course
Nolan W., August 2021 - ★★★★★
Very helpful and gave me a lot of knowledge
Elias F., August 2021
What pools, beaches and aquatic facilities are in Hillsborough County Florida?
There are 37 aquatic facilities on record in Hillsborough County Florida. These 14 are named:
- Picnic Island Beach (beach)
- Gardenville Beach (beach)
- Lithia Springs (beach)
- Apollo Beach (beach)
- Bahia Beach (beach)
- Northdale Park Splashpad (water park)
- Adventure Island (water park)
- Hunters Lake Community Swimming Pool (pool)
- Lake Saint Charles Community Pool (pool)
- The Park on Waters Swimming Pool (pool)
- Carlyle on Waters Swimming Pool (pool)
- Kings Point South Club Hot Tub (pool)
- South Fork West Community Pool (pool)
- Copeland Park Swimming Pool (pool)
Facilities are listed to show the kind of aquatic sites operating locally. Listing does not imply any affiliation with, or endorsement by, the operator.
Reviewed by Jackie Stern, Lifeguard Instructor, Firefighter and EMT. Jackie Stern has taught lifeguarding for more than 20 years and works as a firefighter, EMT and swim instructor. She reviews course content, prerequisites and rescue standards against current certification requirements.
About Us
We are a nonprofit that trains and certifies in Lifeguarding, Waterfront Lifeguarding, Junior Lifeguarding, Shallow Pool Lifeguarding, Sexual Harassment Training, CPR/AED, CPR for Lifeguards, First Aid Emergency Oxygen, and swimming lessons.
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