Site Index

Every section of the site in one place: course and certification information, then lifeguard class locations state by state.

How this site is organized

Course pages cover the certifications themselves, what each one includes, what it costs and how long it lasts. The full lifeguard certification, starting at $195, bundles water rescue, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid; CPR/AED and First Aid are also available standalone at $25 and $19.99 for guards renewing a single lapsed component.

Location pages work at two levels. Each state page summarizes where lifeguards actually work in that state, drawn from named aquatic facilities on public mapping data, and links through to the counties with the most of them. County pages list the specific facilities recorded locally, which is the fastest way to judge whether guarding work near you is pool-based or waterfront, a distinction that affects minimum age, since waterfront postings typically start at 16 against 15 for pools.

Guides and articles cover everything around the certification itself: how to prepare for the swim test, what employers verify when hiring, how recertification timing works, and what the job is actually like day to day.

Full index