The NYC Lifeguard Qualifying Test

All candidates are tested by Parks’ Lifeguard School to ensure that they meet the highest standards. Candidates interested in becoming a lifeguard must first pass a qualifying test.
To qualify, you must:

• Be able to swim 50 yards in 35 seconds with proper form.
• Have a minimum of 20/30 vision in one eye and 20/40 in the other, without corrective lenses. Glasses and contact lenses may not be worn during the eye exam.
• Be at least 16 years old when the position begins.

Once you’ve passed the qualifying test, you’re able to go onto the next step of becoming a New York City Lifeguard: the Municipal Lifeguard Training Program. Training classes generally meet once a week for 16 weeks, so please enroll as early as possible.

Upon completion of the training program, you must pass final swimming tests and a written test to become a lifeguard. You must be able to swim 440 yards in 7 minutes and 40 seconds to qualify for a pool assignment, or 6 minutes and 40 seconds to qualify for a beach assignment. Beach lifeguards must also complete a 300-yard ocean swim prior to receiving their assignment.

If you’re from another country, please visit our international lifeguard page for guidelines.
Qualifying Test