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Lifeguard Class in Virginia

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Lifeguard Class in Virginia runs as a blended course, with online coursework followed by in-person water skills sessions.

How much does lifeguard certification cost in Virginia?

From $195.00 in Virginia, the programme is 7.5 hours of online training followed by 2 days in person. Candidates must be 15 and swim 300 yards continuously.

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
300 yards unbroken using front crawl and breaststroke; 2 minutes of armless treading; a 10-lb brick brought back from 7 to 10 feet 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 Virginia.
See Course Dates

What do lifeguard classes in Virginia cover?

Get certified in Lifeguard Training in Virginia. We provide lifeguard training, CPR/AED, and First Aid certification across Virginia. The course prepares you for pool, waterfront, and waterpark lifeguard positions. Choose from flexible class schedules, expert instructors, and fast certification options trusted by Virginia swim facilities, camps, and recreation centers. If you are looking for a lifeguard class in Virginia , look no further.
For lifeguard training in Virginia, American Aquatics and Safety Training offers credentials, approved in almost every state in the US and CMAHC approved, that prepare candidates for 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 Virginia 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), so that scope and quality remain comparable to the 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 produces science-based standards for aquatic health and safety, which inform national guidance on drowning prevention, waterborne disease control and risk reduction at pools and aquatic facilities. Being CMAHC-approved means that our lifeguard training programs follow evidence-based standards aligned with CDC recommendations, offering organisations, employers and individuals an added measure of confidence in our training.

Why Take Lifeguard Classes in Virginia with Us?

  • Get a recognized lifeguard certification in Virginia, accepted at pools, summer camps, beaches, and recreation centers statewide.
  • Complete 26.5 hours of comprehensive lifeguard training in Virginia, including all rescue, CPR, AED, and First Aid skills required by employers.
  • Learn from expert lifeguard instructors in Virginia, 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 Richmond, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Fairfax.
  • 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 Virginia offered year-round.

Lifeguard Jobs in Virginia: Launch Your Career

Are you searching for lifeguard jobs in Virginia? Certified lifeguards are in high demand across Virginia, from community pools in Richmond and Virginia Beach to recreation centers in Norfolk and Alexandria. If you’re looking to get certified, taking a lifeguard class in Virginia is the first step toward landing one of these positions. Virginia 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 Virginia include:
Lifeguard Class in Virginia: Beach Lifeguards

Beach Lifeguards

City and community pools across Virginia, including Richmond, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake, hire lifeguards every summer.

Pool Lifeguards

Pool Lifeguards

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

Swim School & YMCA Lifeguards

Swim School & YMCA Lifeguards

Ongoing employment in Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Norfolk.

Junior Lifeguard Programs

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 Virginia for current requirements, hiring timelines, and application tips. Pair it with How to pass the lifeguard test in Virginia to hit every benchmark with confidence.

Why Train With Lifeguard & Safety Training?

Certification Accepted by Virginia 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 Virginia lifeguard employers are looking for.

Lifeguard training certification classes in Virginia

Virginia Specific Hiring & Career Pathways

Our students have gone on to secure lifeguard jobs at:

State Parks & Beaches

Including Virginia State Parks and local waterfront safety agencies.

YMCA of Virginia

Multiple branches hiring certified lifeguards.

Private Pools & Clubs

Such as community recreation centers, private swim clubs, 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 Virginia pool safety laws and test prep give you an edge during interviews and on day one.

Virginia Lifeguard Course Requirements

To enroll in lifeguard certification classes in Virginia, 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 Virginia

Our Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia: Next Steps

After earning your lifeguard certification in Virginia, 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 Virginia

  • Full Lifeguard Certification in Virginia – For first-time candidates, valid for 2 years.
  • Lifeguard Recertification in Virginia – Shorter review course to renew existing credentials.
  • Waterfront Lifeguard Training in Virginia – 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 Virginia.

Where to Take Lifeguard Classes in Virginia

  • Northern Virginia & D.C. Suburbs – Lifeguard certification courses available at community pools, YMCA branches, universities, and recreation centers in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and surrounding areas.
  • Richmond & Central Virginia – Convenient lifeguard training for public pools, aquatic centers, and summer camps across Richmond, Midlothian, and Henrico County.
  • Virginia Beach & Coastal Region – Classes for students, fitness clubs, and municipal pools throughout Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Hampton Roads.
  • Roanoke & Southwest Virginia – Lifeguard training serving community pools, schools, and recreation programs in Roanoke, Blacksburg, and Christiansburg.
  • Charlottesville & Shenandoah Valley – Year-round certification courses for university students, schools, and public aquatic facilities in Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, and the surrounding valley.
We also provide group lifeguard training in Virginia for camps, schools, and organizations.

Who Hires Virginia Lifeguards?

  • Community pools & aquatic centers
  • Summer camps across Virginia
  • Resorts & hotels with pools
  • Beaches and waterfront swim areas
Certified lifeguards in Virginia earn $16–$20 per hour, with higher wages at waterfronts.
Schedule & Registration
Class TypeDescription
WeekendWeekend lifeguard classes in Virginia for fast certification
EveningEvening lifeguard training in Virginia for students & professionals
PrivatePrivate lifeguard courses in Virginia for schools, camps, or groups of 10+
Get Certified. Get Hired.
Hiring in Virginia happens well before the season starts, so waiting until summer costs you the opportunity. Finishing your classes in Virginia early puts you in front of hiring managers at the right time.

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

FAQs – Lifeguard Certification in Virginia

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 Virginia.

Every 2 years.

The minimum age to become a lifeguard in Virginia 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). Most pool and waterpark roles in the state apply the same age minimum. However, positions at beaches, lakes, and other natural bodies of water require applicants to be at least 16, because federal child labor rules limit 15-year-olds to traditional swimming pools and water amusement parks. Starting at age 15 allows you to gain experience early, build leadership skills, and qualify for summer lifeguard jobs in Virginia before high school graduation.

Conclusion
Start Lifeguard Training in Virginia Today
Move your aquatic career forward with American Aquatics and Safety Training. Classes for Virginia are built to deliver the skills, the confidence and the certification the work requires.
Choose American Aquatics and Safety Training in Virginia and you get expert instruction, practical training in the water, and credentials, approved in almost every state in the US and CMAHC approved, that employers value.
Whether you’re preparing for a summer job, a career in aquatics, or simply want to gain lifesaving skills, our lifeguard classes in Virginia provide the training and confidence you need to succeed.
Take a lifeguard class in Virginia today.
Why take lifeguard classes with us in Virginia
Locations for Lifeguard classes in Virginia

When does Virginia pool staffing law require a lifeguard?

Whether a pool in Virginia has to have a lifeguard on duty is decided by the state, not by the training provider. The rules are set by Virginia Department of Health under 12VAC5-460 (Regulations Governing Tourist Establishment Swimming Pools and Other Public 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 Virginia should read them alongside the certification requirements rather than assume the two are the same thing.

Source: Virginia 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 do lifeguards work in Virginia?

Public mapping records 470 named aquatic facilities across 71 counties in Virginia: 266 public pools and swim clubs, 101 community and club pools, 68 beaches and open-water sites, 21 water parks and 14 other venues. Pools account for most of that list, with a small number of open-water sites in Virginia.

Named facilities in Virginia

Counties in Virginia with the most aquatic facilities

Lifeguard class in Virginia: local questions

How do I get lifeguard certified in Virginia?

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 Virginia is training available in?

Certification is open to candidates in all 133 counties in Virginia. The counties with the most recorded aquatic facilities are Fairfax County, Loudoun County and Arlington County.

Is lifeguard work in Virginia mostly pools or open water?

Mostly pools. A small number of open-water venues are recorded in Virginia. That reading comes from the 470 aquatic venues recorded across 71 counties in Virginia.

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 Virginia?

Two years from the completion date. Recertification is shorter than the initial course, so renew before your certification lapses.

Is the certification recognized outside Virginia?

Yes. The certification is approved in almost every state in the US and CMAHC approved, 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.

What should I know about lifeguard certification in Virginia?

  1. You must be 15 by the last day of class. The age test applies to the last day of the course rather than the booking date, so turning 15 partway through is fine. Employers may set a higher bar: pools often want 16, and beaches sometimes more.
  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 26.5 hours in total, split between online study and in-person days. 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. Each certificate has its own ID and QR code, letting an employer verify it online without having to call anyone. Renewing is shorter than the original class, roughly 10 hours in person, as long as your card has not been expired for long.
  7. Where you can work in Virginia. 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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