Mon - Sat: 8:30-18:00
Lifeguard Class in Lake County Illinois
Last updated
Lifeguard Class in Lake County Illinois runs as a blended course, with online coursework followed by in-person water skills sessions.
Lifeguard certification in Lake County, Illinois at a glance
Lifeguard certification in Lake County, Illinois starts at $195.00 and takes Online training runs 7.5 hours, followed by 2 days in person. You must be at least 15 years old and swim 300 yards continuously to qualify.
- Cost
- $195.00 per participant is the starting price, with discounts for groups.
- Course length
- Online training runs 7.5 hours, followed by 2 days in person.
- Minimum age
- Age 15 or over on the last day of the course.
- Swim test
- 300 yards unbroken using front crawl and breaststroke; 2 minutes of treading with no arms; a 10-lb brick recovered from 7 to 10 feet and returned within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
- Certifications
- Lifeguarding plus CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer plus First Aid.
- Valid for
- Two years from the date issued. Renewing means 10 hours of in-person training.
- Format
- Online study at your own pace, then practical skills sessions in Lake County, Illinois.
People searching for a Lifeguard Class in Lake County Illinois are usually a few weeks away from being able to work, not a few months. Waukegan is where most of the county aquatic hiring happens. You pay $195 once, and certification is issued at the end of the course.
Most people in the room are either starting their first guarding job or returning to one. Content covers CPR, AED, First Aid, surveillance, emergency response and the in water rescue skills a guard uses. About 68% of Lake County is water, and that changes the mix of jobs available.
Be ready for the swim screen, which asks for 300 yards continuously, and the rest follows in class. Register online and bring a swimsuit and a towel.
Locations for Lifeguard classes in Illinois
- Lifeguard classes in De Witt County
- Lifeguard classes in Hancock County
- Lifeguard classes in Kankakee County
- Lifeguard classes in Kendall County
- Lifeguard classes in Knox County
- Lifeguard classes in LaSalle County
- Lifeguard classes in Lawrence County
- Lifeguard classes in Marshall County
- Lifeguard classes in Pope County
- Lifeguard classes in Tazewell County
- See all 102 counties in Illinois
Training Photo Gallery
How to register for your Lake 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 Lake County in Illinois take these certifications.
As soon as you hold the digital card, you can apply for work.
Where do lifeguards work in Lake County?
Public mapping records 34 named aquatic facilities in Lake County. Among the first 14 listed there are 12 beaches and open-water sites and 2 water parks. Open water dominates that list: beaches and waterfront sites outnumber pools and aquatic centers among the recorded venues in Lake County. Waterfront postings normally require a minimum age of 16.
Aquatic facilities in Lake County
- Park Avenue Boating/Fishing Beach
- Whitney Shores Private Beach
- Illinois Beach State Park
- Independence Grove Beach
- North Point Marina Beach
- Lakeview Beach and Dock
- Lake Miltmore Beach
- Diamond Lake Beach
- Jones Island Beach
- Minear Lake Beach
- George's Beach
- Millard Beach
- Barefoot Bay Water Park
- Turtle Creek Waterpark
Listed for orientation only. American Aquatics and Safety Training is not affiliated with, and does not run classes at, the facilities above.
Counties near Lake County
These are the closest counties we also cover, spanning 3 states. Certification is approved in almost every state in the US and CMAHC approved, so it stays valid if you take a job in any of them.
Lifeguard class in Lake County Illinois: common questions
Where can I take lifeguard training in Lake County, Illinois?
American Aquatics and Safety Training runs blended lifeguard certification for candidates across Lake County. The county's largest communities are Waukegan, Mundelein and North Chicago, 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 Lake County?
The all-in price is $195.00, which includes water rescue, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid. Where only one element has lapsed, CPR/AED on its own is $25.00 and First Aid on its own is $19.99.
Will I be guarding a pool or open water in Lake County?
Mostly open water. Beaches and waterfront sites outnumber pools among the recorded venues in Lake County. Waterfront postings usually set the minimum age at 16. Named sites in Lake County include Park Avenue Boating/Fishing Beach, Whitney Shores Private Beach and Illinois Beach State Park. 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 Illinois?
Most pools ask for 15 years old on the final day of the course. Waterfront and beach roles generally want 16 or above. Because individual Lake County employers may require more, check the advert before committing.
What swim test do I have to pass?
Three elements: a continuous 300 yard swim, 2 minutes treading with legs only, and recovering a 10-pound brick from 7 to 10 feet and bringing it back. This happens at the very start of the in-person session, so come ready to swim.
Which communities in Lake County does training cover?
Candidates commonly travel from Waukegan (87,642 residents), Mundelein (31,790 residents) and North Chicago (30,416 residents). Waukegan 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.
What is lifeguarding like in Lake County?
The county is home to roughly 708,760 residents. That makes it the 3rd most populated of the 102 counties in Illinois. At 1,598 people per square mile it is an urban county, where most guarding work sits at municipal and apartment pools.
Water covers 925 square miles of Lake County, 68% of its area. That ranks it 1st of 102 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.
Most hiring in the county clusters around Waukegan (87,642), Mundelein (31,790), North Chicago (30,416), Highland Park (30,272). Facilities in the larger of these usually recruit earliest, often before the season starts.
Aquatic sites recorded in Lake County
- Beaches and waterfront: Park Avenue Boating/Fishing Beach, Whitney Shores Private Beach, Illinois Beach State Park, Independence Grove Beach, North Point Marina Beach, Lakeview Beach and Dock
- Water parks and splash pads: Barefoot Bay Water Park, Turtle Creek Waterpark
Candidates in Lake County often travel for a class date that fits. The nearest county pages are Cook County, McHenry County, Allegan County, Berrien County.
Cost, prerequisites and course format are the same in every county, so they are kept in one place: 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.
- ★★★★★
Knowledgeable and informative
Daniel S., June 2023 - ★★★★★
Very comprehensive and thorough
Robert S., June 2023 - ★★★★★
It was quick
Regan O., June 2023 - ★★★★★
It was vey helpful
Maeve S., June 2023 - ★★★★★
Was very informative
Filbert V., May 2023 - ★★★★★
The course is educational and fun
Alexa K., May 2023
What pools, beaches and aquatic facilities are in Lake County Illinois?
There are 34 aquatic facilities on record in Lake County Illinois. These 14 are named:
- Park Avenue Boating/Fishing Beach (beach)
- Whitney Shores Private Beach (beach)
- Illinois Beach State Park (beach)
- Independence Grove Beach (beach)
- North Point Marina Beach (beach)
- Lakeview Beach and Dock (beach)
- Lake Miltmore Beach (beach)
- Diamond Lake Beach (beach)
- Jones Island Beach (beach)
- Minear Lake Beach (beach)
- George's Beach (beach)
- Millard Beach (beach)
- Barefoot Bay Water Park (water park)
- Turtle Creek Waterpark (water park)
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.
© Copyright American Aquatics and Safety Training. All Rights Reserved