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Lifeguard Class in Minnesota

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Lifeguard certification in Minnesota at a glance

Lifeguard certification in Minnesota starts at $195.00 and takes 7.5 hours of online training plus 2 days in person. You must be at least 15 years old and swim 300 yards continuously to qualify.

Cost
Starting at $195.00 per participant, with group discounts available.
Course length
7.5 hours of online training plus 2 days in person.
Minimum age
Be at least 15 years old by the last day of class.
Swim test
Swim 300 yards continuously using front crawl and breaststroke; tread water for 2 minutes without using arms; and retrieve a 10-lb brick from 7 to 10 feet of water and swim it back within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
Certifications
Lifeguarding, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, and First Aid.
Valid for
Two years from the date of issue. Recertification is 10 hours of in-person training.
Format
Blended: online coursework completed at your own pace, then in-person skills sessions in Minnesota.
See Course Dates

Lifeguard classes in Minnesota

Get certified in Lifeguard Training in Minnesota. We are a state–approved provider offering lifeguard training, CPR/AED, and First Aid certification across Minnesota. Our programs meet state and national standards, preparing you for pool, waterfront, and waterpark lifeguard positions. Choose from flexible class schedules, expert instructors, and fast certification options trusted by Minnesota swim facilities, camps, and recreation centers. If you are looking for a lifeguard class in Minnesota, look no further.
Looking for lifeguard training in Minnesota? At American Aquatics and Safety Training, we provide state-approved lifeguard classes that prepare you for jobs at pools, camps, waterparks, and beaches.
Our program combines 26.5 hours of classroom and in-water instruction so you finish fully prepared for emergencies, holding certification approved in almost every state in the US and CMAHC approved. Whether you’re looking for your first lifeguard certification in Minnesota or need recertification, we have courses to fit your schedule.
American Aquatics and Safety Training is approved in almost every state in the US and CMAHC approved, providing lifeguard training and lifeguard certification programs. Our courses, including CPR, AED, and First Aid training, are designed to meet the highest standards in aquatic safety and emergency preparedness.
We follow the guidelines of the CDC Healthy Swimming program, as well as standards recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), ensuring that our lifeguard certification programs remain comparable in scope and quality to those offered by other leading national providers. Since the early 2,000’s, we have ensured that all of our lifeguard training and safety courses comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, giving both employers and participants confidence that our certifications support workplace safety, legal compliance, and professional excellence.

In addition, American Aquatics and Safety Training is approved by the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC), which is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CMAHC develops science-based standards for aquatic health and safety, helping set national guidelines for drowning prevention, waterborne disease control, and risk reduction in pools and aquatic facilities. Being CMAHC-approved means that our lifeguard training programs follow evidence-based best practices that align with CDC recommendations. This approval provides an extra layer of trust and assurance for organizations, employers, and individuals who choose our lifeguard certification and safety training.

Why Take Lifeguard Classes in Minnesota with Us?

  • Get a recognized lifeguard certification in Minnesota, accepted at pools, summer camps, beaches, and recreation centers statewide.
  • Complete 26.5 hours of comprehensive lifeguard training in Minnesota, including all rescue, CPR, AED, and First Aid skills required by employers.
  • Learn from expert lifeguard instructors in Minnesota, who are nationally certified in aquatic safety and emergency care.
  • Train hands-on with essential equipment: rescue tubes, CPR masks, AED trainers, and backboards used in real emergencies.
  • Choose from convenient lifeguard class locations in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Rochester, and Duluth.
  • Affordable pricing starting at $195 per participant, with group discounts available for schools, camps, and organizations.
  • Flexible scheduling, weekend, evening, and private lifeguard classes in Minnesota offered year-round.

Lifeguard Jobs in Minnesota: Launch Your Career

Are you searching for lifeguard jobs in Minnesota? Certified lifeguards are in high demand across the state, from community pools in Minneapolis and Saint Paul to waterfront parks in Duluth and Stillwater. If you’re looking to get certified, taking a lifeguard class in Minnesota is the first step toward landing one of these positions. Minnesota employers offer seasonal, part-time, and year-round opportunities with pay ranging from $15 to $21 per hour, depending on location and experience.
Some of the most common lifeguard job opportunities in Minnesota include:
Lifeguard Class in Minnesota |

Beach Lifeguards

City and community pools across Minnesota, including Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Rochester, and Duluth, hire lifeguards every summer.

Lifeguard Class in Minnesota |

Pool Lifeguards

Country clubs, community pools, and apartment complexes hire certified guards seasonally.

Lifeguard Class in Minnesota |

Swim School & YMCA Lifeguards

Ongoing employment in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Rochester.

Lifeguard Class in Minnesota |

Junior Lifeguard Programs

A great first step for teens looking to prepare for future employment.

Ready to apply? Visit our guide to Summer lifeguard jobs in Minnesota for current requirements, hiring timelines, and application tips. Pair it with How to pass the lifeguard test in Minnesota to hit every benchmark with confidence.

Why Train With Lifeguard & Safety Training?

Certification Accepted by Minnesota Employers – Our credentials meet state and local requirements for both pool and open-water environments.

Job-Ready Skills

Includes CPR, AED, First Aid, and advanced rescue techniques.

Flexible Classes

Schedule options designed for students, part-time workers, and seasonal hires.

Direct Path to Employment

We align our training with what Minnesota lifeguard employers are looking for.

Lifeguard Training in Minnesota Certification & Classes

Minnesota Specific Hiring & Career Pathways

Our students have gone on to secure lifeguard jobs at:

State Parks & Beaches

Including Minnesota State Parks and lakeside recreation areas statewide.

YMCA of Minnesota

Multiple branches hiring certified lifeguards.

Private Pools & Clubs

Such as country clubs, community centers, and apartment complexes statewide.

Swim Schools & Camps

Year-round opportunities in youth aquatics.

Aiming for beach patrol or a steady pool role? Our course prepares you for both, and our pages on Minnesota pool safety laws and test prep give you an edge during interviews and on day one.

Minnesota Lifeguard Course Requirements

To enroll in lifeguard certification classes in Minnesota, participants must meet these requirements:

  • Be at least 15 years old by the last day of class.
  • Swim 300 yards continuously using front crawl and breaststroke.
  • Tread water for 2 minutes without using arms.
  • Retrieve a 10-lb brick from a depth of 10 feet and swim it back within 1 minute, 40 seconds.

What You’ll Learn in Lifeguard Training in Minnesota

Our Minnesota lifeguard certification course teaches the rescue, prevention, and emergency skills you need to work confidently as a professional lifeguard.

Rescue Techniques You’ll Master

  • Slide-In Entry and safe pool approaches
  • Stride Jump and Compact Jump entries
  • Reaching & Throwing Assists
  • Swimming Extension Rescue
  • Active & Passive Drowning Victim Rescues
  • Rear Rescue & Multiple-Victim Rescues
  • Feet-First Surface Dive & Submerged Victim Rescue
  • Two-Person Backboard Removal techniques
  • Front & Rear Head-Hold Escapes

Head, Neck & Spinal Management

  • Manual In-Line Stabilization on victims (lying, sitting, or standing)
  • Shallow & deep water backboarding
  • Head Splint & Chin Support rescues
  • Submerged victim stabilization
CPR/AED & First Aid Training
  • Adult, Child & Infant CPR (1 & 2 rescuer)
  • Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) ventilation
  • AED protocols for adults & children
  • Choking response for conscious & unconscious victims
  • Bleeding control, splinting, slings, and secondary assessments
Final Skill Scenarios
Every candidate in our Minnesota lifeguard classes must successfully complete:
  • Active drowning rescue scenario
  • Submerged passive victim scenario
  • Head/Neck/Spinal injury management

After You’re Certified as a Lifeguard in Minnesota: Next Steps

After earning your lifeguard certification in Minnesota, advance your career with a Pool Activity Leader course. This program builds leadership, supervision, and program management skills, preparing you for higher-level roles at camps, schools, aquatic centers, and recreation facilities.

Types of Lifeguard Certifications in Minnesota

  • Full Lifeguard Certification in Minnesota – For first-time candidates, valid for 2 years.
  • Lifeguard Recertification in Minnesota – Shorter review course to renew existing credentials.
  • Waterfront Lifeguard Training in Minnesota – Required for lakes, rivers, and oceanfront beaches.
  • Add-On Certifications – CPR, AED, First Aid, and Emergency Oxygen courses available.
Already certified? Contact us today to schedule your lifeguard recertification in Minnesota.

Where to Take Lifeguard Classes in Minnesota

  • Minneapolis–St. Paul & Twin Cities Metro – Lifeguard certification courses available at community pools, YMCA branches, universities, and recreation centers in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, and surrounding suburbs.
  • Duluth & Northeast Minnesota – Convenient lifeguard training for public pools, aquatic centers, and summer camps across Duluth, Hibbing, and the Iron Range communities.
  • Rochester & Southeast Minnesota – Classes for students, fitness clubs, and municipal pools throughout Rochester, Winona, and surrounding areas.
  • St. Cloud & Central Minnesota – Lifeguard training serving community pools, schools, and recreation programs in St. Cloud, Brainerd, and nearby towns.
  • Northwest Minnesota & Moorhead – Year-round certification courses for university students, schools, and public aquatic facilities in Moorhead, Bemidji, and surrounding northwestern communities..
We also provide group lifeguard training in Minnesota for camps, schools, and organizations.

Who Hires Minnesota Lifeguards?

  • Community pools & aquatic centers
  • Summer camps across Minnesota
  • Resorts & hotels with pools
  • Beaches and waterfront swim areas
Certified lifeguards in Minnesota earn $16–$20 per hour, with higher wages at waterfronts.
Schedule & Registration
Class TypeDescription
WeekendWeekend lifeguard classes in Minnesota for fast certification
EveningEvening lifeguard training in Minnesota for students & professionals
PrivatePrivate lifeguard courses in Minnesota for schools, camps, or groups of 10+
Get Certified. Get Hired.
Don’t wait until summer to prepare, Minnesota employers start hiring lifeguards months in advance. By completing your lifeguard training classes in Minnesota with us, you’ll stand out to hiring managers and be ready for the upcoming season.

Sign up today for a lifeguard training class to reserve your spot and begin your journey toward a rewarding lifeguarding career in Minnesota.

FAQs – Lifeguard Certification in Minnesota

Approximately 26.5 hours, typically completed in 3–4 days.

Tuition starts at $195, with group discounts available.

Yes, it’s accepted at pools, camps, and aquatic facilities throughout Minnesota.

Every 2 years.

The minimum age to become a lifeguard in Minnesota is 15 years old. Candidates must be at least 15 by the time they complete their lifeguard certification course from an approved provider such as American Aquatics and Safety Training (AAST). This age requirement applies to most pool and waterpark lifeguard jobs across the state. However, some ocean beach patrols may require applicants to be 16 or older due to the increased physical demands of surf rescues. Starting at age 15 allows you to gain experience early, build leadership skills, and qualify for summer lifeguard jobs in Minnesota before high school graduation.

Conclusion
Start Lifeguard Training in Minnesota Today
Take the next step in your aquatic career with American Aquatics and Safety Training. Our lifeguard classes in Minnesota are designed to give you the skills, confidence, and certification you need to succeed.
Choosing American Aquatics and Safety Training for your lifeguard certification in Minnesota ensures you receive expert instruction, hands-on practice, and state-approved credentials that open doors to rewarding job opportunities.

Whether you’re preparing for a summer job, a career in aquatics, or simply want to gain lifesaving skills, our lifeguard classes in Minnesota provide the training and confidence you need to succeed.

Take a lifeguard class in Minnesota today.
Why Take Lifeguard Classes in Minnesota with Us
Locations for Lifeguard classes in Minnesota County

Minnesota pool staffing law: when a lifeguard is required

Whether a pool in Minnesota has to have a lifeguard on duty is decided by the state, not by the training provider. The rules are set by Minnesota Department of Health under Minnesota Rules Chapter 4717 (Public Swimming Pools). These are the provisions that decide it most often:

Employers are the ones held to these rules, so a facility manager staffing a season in Minnesota should read them alongside the certification requirements rather than assume the two are the same thing.

Source: Minnesota Department of Health. Rules change, and some counties and cities add their own on top — confirm the current text with the agency before relying on it.

Where lifeguards work in Minnesota

Public mapping records 244 named aquatic facilities across 62 counties in Minnesota: 98 public pools and swim clubs, 94 beaches and open-water sites, 34 water parks and 9 community and club pools. That is a genuine mix of pool and open-water sites, so guards in Minnesota often hold shifts at both across a season.

Named facilities in Minnesota

Counties in Minnesota with the most aquatic facilities

Lifeguard training in Minnesota: local questions

How do I get lifeguard certified in Minnesota?

Register for the blended certification course, complete the online modules, then attend the in-person session covering the swim test, water rescue skills, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid. The course starts at $195.00 and the certification is valid for 2 years.

Which parts of Minnesota is training available in?

Certification is open to candidates in all 87 counties in Minnesota. The counties with the most recorded aquatic facilities, and so the most seasonal hiring, are Hennepin County, Ramsey County and Dakota County.

Is lifeguard work in Minnesota mostly pools or open water?

Public mapping records 244 named aquatic facilities across 62 counties in Minnesota. That is a genuine mix of pool and open-water sites, so guards in Minnesota often hold shifts at both across a season.

What are the swim prerequisites?

A 300-yard continuous swim, 2 minutes treading water using legs only, and a timed retrieval of a 10-pound brick from 7 to 10 feet of water. These are tested at the start of the in-person session.

How long does certification last in Minnesota?

Two years from the completion date. Recertification is shorter than the initial course, and most guards renew in the spring ahead of the summer hiring season.

Is the certification recognized outside Minnesota?

Yes. The certification is nationally recognized, so it remains valid if you take a lifeguard position in another state. Individual employers may still require an orientation or a site-specific skills check.

Facility data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

What students say

4.8 out of 5 ★★★★½ from 336 verified students who completed a course with us.

Lifeguard certification in Minnesota: 7 things to know

  1. You must be 15 by the last day of class. Age is checked against the final day, not the day you book, so a candidate who turns 15 mid-course still qualifies. Employers often set their own higher minimum: many pools hire at 16 and beaches sometimes older.
  2. The swim test comes before the course, not after. You must swim 300 yards continuously, tread water for two minutes without using your arms, and retrieve a 10-pound object from 7 to 10 feet. This is the step candidates actually fail. The course builds rescue skill on top of swimming ability you already have.
  3. It is three certifications in one. Lifeguarding, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer covering adult, child and infant, and First Aid. Aquatic employers usually ask for all three, which is why they are taught and assessed together rather than sold separately.
  4. It takes 27.5 hours, split online and in person. About 7.5 hours of online coursework at your own pace, then two days in person for water rescue, spinal management and the skills assessment. The in-person part cannot be done remotely.
  5. Certification starts at $195 and covers everything. The online modules, the in-person skills assessment and the certificate itself. Group discounts are available for schools, camps and employers booking several places.
  6. The certificate lasts two years and is verifiable. Every certificate carries an ID and a QR code, so an employer can confirm it online without contacting anyone. Renewal is the full course again: there is no shortened refresher.
  7. Where you can work in Minnesota. Municipal and community pools, waterparks, school and college aquatic centers, summer camps, hotel and resort pools, and waterfront patrols. Demand is highest ahead of the summer season.

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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