FIRST TIME LIFEGUARD TRAINING! Lifeguard Training with First Aid and CPR/AED that you can start and complete right away. Save $100 today with a special Grant!
American Lifeguard Association® Lifeguard Certification and Safety Training
2026 National Grant Discount Available
The American Lifeguard Association® is pleased to announce that we have secured a national grant for 2026 to help lower lifeguard and safety training fees. These grant funds are available only until they are exhausted.
Because of this grant, the current course price reflects a special $100 discount, reducing the regular price of $385 to $285. Funds are limited, so we encourage you to register today to ensure you can take advantage of this reduced rate.
Click “ADD TO CART” at the top of the page to register.
Easy Financing Available
Finance Your Lifeguard Training — Click “Shop Pay” at Checkout
Become a certified lifeguard now and pay over time.
At checkout, select Shop Pay to choose from:
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4 interest-free bi-weekly payments, or
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Monthly installments for qualifying students.
Start Your Lifeguard Certification Without Waiting for a Group Class
Our video instructor-led blended course allows individuals to become trained and certified in lifeguarding without waiting for a group class. Once you complete the online components of the program, you will receive a two-year certification in Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid.
If you need assistance during your training, we are available 24/7 in real time at alalifeguard@aol.com. After you finish the course, your certification records will be uploaded to the National Verification System, allowing employers and health department officials to easily verify your credentials.
Employer-Based Skills Evaluation and National Standards
The American Lifeguard Association’s lifeguard training and certification program is designed to support the standards outlined by the CDC Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC). In accordance with these national standards, employers must conduct both pre-service and in-service training evaluations.
This approach ensures that the training process not only meets national benchmarks but also supports practical competency within the aquatics environment through employer-based evaluations and ongoing in-service procedures. This helps prepare candidates for effective prevention and response to aquatic emergencies.
About the American Lifeguard Association
The American Lifeguard Association (ALA) has the support of Global Lifeguards and the Swimming Pool and Spa Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association which oversee beaches and swimming pools. ALA works directly with employers nationwide to help train lifeguard professionals.
The primary purpose of ALA is to reduce drownings and help keep swimming pools, beaches, and waterways safer.
Our lifeguard course incorporates the latest ECC science and guidelines from the United States Lifeguard Training Standards Coalition.
National Recognition and Government Support
The American Lifeguard Association has been recognized for its long-standing commitment to national safety standards. Over the years, ALA has been listed on the CDC Healthy Swimming website, and both the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) have confirmed that ALA’s lifeguard certification programs are equivalent to those offered by the American Red Cross.
Since the early 1990s, our training programs have consistently met the requirements set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the U.S. Department of Labor, serving as the federal Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), has officially recognized that the American Lifeguard Association meets national standards for lifeguard training and certification.
Our programs meet national requirements in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, and are widely used in both public facilities and federally managed programs.
The American Lifeguard Association is proud to be among a select group of national training organizations recognized by the United States Government for meeting these federal requirements. In addition, on April 16, 2025, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs issued VHA Directive 1040, which formally lists the American Lifeguard Association as an approved provider of lifeguard certification.
What the Program Provides
Our program equips entry-level participants with the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to prevent, identify, and respond to aquatic emergencies. Participants also learn to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services arrive.
Participants who successfully complete the lifeguarding course receive an American Lifeguard certificate for Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED, valid for 2 years.
Course Prerequisites
To take the Lifeguarding course, participants must be at least 15 years of age and must be able to complete the required swimming and rescue skill components.
Participants must be able to complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest:
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Jump into the water, totally submerge, resurface, and swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed.
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Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs, with no arms.
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Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both.
Participants must also complete the Brick Test in 1 minute and 40 seconds:
Swim 20 yards, surface dive to 7 feet, retrieve a 10-pound brick from the bottom of the pool, return to the surface, swim on the back while holding the brick to the starting position, and exit the water. Swim goggles are not allowed for this skill.
30-Day Price Match Guarantee
We owe our success to you, our members, and we understand that price is an important part of your decision. To ensure you always receive excellent value, we routinely monitor other nationally recognized lifeguard training providers to keep our pricing competitive.
If, within 30 days of your registration, you find a lower price from another nationally recognized entity for the same type of training offered within your county or local area, and that training is scheduled within 30 days of your registration, we will match their price.
The lower price must be verifiable through a valid website. Lower prices that cannot be confirmed will not be honored. The training cannot be offered by an employer with whom you are required to register for employment purposes, because such pricing is often adjusted to reflect reduced wages for those employees. In addition, the class must currently be open for registration and not already filled.
To take advantage of this offer, simply email us at alalifeguard@aol.com anytime within 30 days of your initial registration. Include the website, link, or advertisement where you found the lower price. Once the price and source are confirmed, the American Lifeguard Association will immediately refund the difference.
30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
Your satisfaction is our priority. That is why we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
If our training does not meet your expectations, simply email us at alalifeguard@aol.com within 30 days of your registration. We will process your refund on the same day.
American Lifeguard Association in the News
The American Lifeguard Association promotes the safe and enjoyable use of aquatic environments through public service announcements and national news media interviews.
The Association’s opinions and viewpoints have been aired numerous times over the decades on national programs and networks, including the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America, The Doctors, and The Weather Channel. The Association has also worked with national news networks including ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC.
To learn more about the Association and read the latest news stories regarding the American Lifeguard Association’s nationwide efforts in the lifesaving profession, please select American Lifeguard Association News.
American Lifeguard and Safety Training™
American Lifeguard and Safety Training™ is a trademark of the American Lifeguard Association’s health and safety courses. The American Lifeguard Association is one of the top associations specializing in training and certifying candidates in the American aquatics and safety training profession.
American Lifeguard and Safety Training™ is a critical service supported by employers and government agencies nationwide. With our program, you can become certified at your own pace and join more than 25,000 active lifeguard members across the USA.
The training can be completed on your own and at your own pace. The program is also eligible for 29 hours of Continuing Education Unit (CEU) and college elective credits.
Facility Skill Verification and Employer Responsibilities
With the introduction of new national standards, all facilities must develop methods to verify and maintain adequate skill competency for all lifeguards, including new, returning, seasonal, and current staff.
Required certifications and pre-employment tests can contribute to this process, but they do not eliminate the need for on-site orientation and in-service training. By following these protocols, employers help satisfy the U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA Good Faith Efforts.
National standards also state that screening tests should not be so strict that they exclude lifeguard candidates whose skills may not be as strong initially, but whose dedication and personal characteristics could make them better lifeguards than individuals who may simply swim faster.
National Lifeguard Training and Certification Program
With our lifeguard training program, you do not have to wait for a group class. Our national self-study programs can be taken anywhere and practiced by individuals, schools, universities, and community pools in the United States and abroad.
The American Lifeguard Association® is one of only a few national certifying agencies for lifeguards.
The American Lifeguard Association (ALA) is a national educational association with the full support of the Swimming Pool and Spa Association and Global Lifeguards, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. These organizations are members of the Global Lifeguard Association, one of the largest worldwide aquatic consortiums, which has trained more than 250,000 certified lifeguards over the past 35 years.
Participants may begin learning at any age; however, the Lifeguarding course prerequisites require participants to be at least 15 years of age. U.S. labor laws require individuals to be 15 years or older to work at a swimming pool, water park, or lake, and 16 years or older to work at beaches.
Our programs may be eligible for Continuing Education Unit (CEU) and college elective credits. Upon completion, we suggest that you contact your school or university for further details and eligibility.
Steps to Complete the ALA Program
Review All Instructor-Led Training Videos and Online Materials
Once you register, you will receive links to our online training videos and an online lifeguard manual. These materials cover various skills and techniques associated with lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid.
You must become familiar with the materials and be able to perform the skills shown.
All ALA programs require participants to practice and demonstrate skills both in and out of the water. A full list of the swimming, rescue, CPR/AED, First Aid, and emergency response skills covered in the program is provided below.
Complete the Online Final Exam
After reviewing the training videos and online materials, and once you are able to accomplish the required skills, you will go online and take the final written exam.
Successful completion of the final exam requires a score of 80% or higher.
You may review your online materials at any time if needed. There is no time limit for taking the exam; however, the exam must be completed in one sitting. You cannot leave the exam and return to where you left off. If you leave the exam, you will need to start it over and continue until it is completed.
If you do not receive a passing grade, you may retake the exam until you pass at no additional cost.
Upon successful completion of the exam, you will receive a full printout of your exam score, along with the correct answers to any questions you may have answered incorrectly. We require that you review your exam results to help ensure you understand the correct answers.
Upon completion, you will receive certification in Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid, valid for two years from the date issued.
The purpose of the ALA training program is to teach candidates the knowledge and skills needed to help prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies.
Receive Confirmation and National Verification
You will receive an email confirming your successful completion of the program. Your records will be placed in the National Verification System the same day you complete the final exam.
You will receive a Deep-Water Lifeguard certification titled Professional Lifeguard, along with First Aid and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer.
The verification system allows validated certification records to be viewed by employers and health department officials. We request that you print a copy of your American Lifeguard Association certification once you receive the official email.
A waterproof, wallet-size certification card will also be mailed to you the next business day.
Employee Orientation
An orientation session about facility operations and responsibilities helps lifeguards understand the facility, their duties, and management’s expectations.
Orientation is critical because every aquatic facility is different. It helps you learn what is unique about your workplace. You should ask your employer questions about your facility and become completely familiar with your facility’s operations.
The employer is responsible for ensuring that each lifeguard candidate has the skills and knowledge necessary for the position being considered. The employer must also ensure that the candidate meets the physical and other requirements before starting employment.
Your employer should evaluate your current skill level and may have you participate in rescue scenarios to ensure you understand your team’s responsibilities and are familiar with your facility’s layout and equipment.
Continue With In-Service Training Through Your Employer
Earning a lifeguarding certification means that you completed a training course on a specific date. It does not mean you have learned everything there is to know about lifeguarding.
Once hired as a lifeguard, you should expect to continue your training. Employers must follow the CDC Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) national standards, which require both pre-service evaluations and ongoing in-service training.
To enroll in the program, click the ADD TO CART button at the top of the page. Once you register and pay, we will email you full instructions on how to complete the program.
Skills Covered in the Program
Swimming Skills
If you can answer “yes” to the following questions, you should be able to pass the swimming test portion of the lifeguard certification requirements:
Can you swim 300 yards without stopping using the following strokes in this order and with proper form?
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Front crawl, also known as freestyle, for 100 yards
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Breaststroke for 100 yards
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Either front crawl or breaststroke for the final 100 yards
Can you retrieve a weight from the bottom of the pool within a time limit of 1 minute and 40 seconds?
Beginning in the water, you must swim 20 yards using either the front crawl or breaststroke. You must then complete a surface dive to retrieve a 10-pound weight located 7 to 10 feet below the surface. Once the weight is retrieved, you must swim back to the starting point, a distance of 20 yards, and exit the pool without using steps or a ladder.
Rescue Skills
The program covers the following rescue skills:
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Slide-In Entry
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Stride and Compact Jumps
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Rescue Approach — Front Crawl or Breaststroke
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Simple Assist
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Extension Assist from the Deck
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Reaching Assist with Equipment and Throwing Assist
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Swimming Extension Rescue
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Active and Passive Drowning Victim Rear Rescue
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Two-Person Removal from the Water Using a Backboard
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Passive Submerged Victim — Shallow Water
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Submerged Victim — Deep Water
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Multiple-Victim Rescue
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Feet-First Surface Dive
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Front and Rear Head-Hold Escape
Caring for Head, Neck, or Back Injury Skills
The program covers the following head, neck, and back injury skills:
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Manual In-Line Stabilization for a Head, Neck, or Back Injury on Land — Lying Down, Sitting, or Standing
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Using a Backboard for a Standing Victim on Land
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Head Splint Technique — Face-Up Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
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Head Splint Technique — Face-Down Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
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Head Splint Technique — Face-Up Victim, Deep Water at or Near Surface
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Head Splint Technique — Face-Down Victim, Deep Water at or Near Surface
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Head and Chin Support — Face-Up Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
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Head and Chin Support — Face-Down Victim, Shallow Water at or Near Surface
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Head and Chin Support — Face-Up Victim, Deep Water at or Near Surface
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Head and Chin Support — Face-Down Victim, Deep Water at or Near Surface
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Stabilization for a Submerged Victim — Face-Up, Face-Down, or on One Side in Deep Water
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Using a Backboard in Shallow and Deep Water
CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Skills
The program covers the following CPR/AED skills:
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Removing Gloves
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Initial Assessment
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Rescue Breathing — Adult, Child, and Infant
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Using a Bag-Valve-Mask Resuscitator — Two Rescuers
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Conscious Choking — Adult, Child, and Infant
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Unconscious Choking — Adult, Child, and Infant
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CPR — Adult, Child, and Infant
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Two-Rescuer CPR — Adult, Child, and Infant
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Using an AED — Adult and Child
First Aid Skills
The program covers the following First Aid skills:
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Secondary Assessment
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Controlling External Bleeding
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Applying a Sling and Binder
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Applying an Anatomic Splint
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Applying a Soft Splint
Skill Scenarios
The program includes the following final skill scenarios:
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Final Skill Scenario 1 — Active Drowning Victim
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Final Skill Scenario 2 — Submerged Passive Drowning Victim
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Final Skill Scenario 3 — Head, Neck, or Back Injury
Continued Practice and Employer Testing
National standards require employers to test each candidate to ensure they possess the required skills. Employers should also continue staff training through in-service programs to increase and maintain ability levels.
At any time during employment, a staff member should be able to demonstrate their skills to show proficiency. Therefore, even after completing our program, you must continue practicing your skills and working to improve them.
There is nothing more important than learning how to save a life, and nothing more rewarding than knowing you did it the right way. ALA has helped save tens of thousands of lives over the past quarter of a century.
Learn to be alert. Be professional. Save lives the right way.
Get certified now and start saving lives.
Federal Standards and Recognition
The U.S. Department of Labor, under the Fair Labor Standards Act, sets eligibility and establishes national standards for lifeguard training and certification across the country. The Department of Labor serves as the federal Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
The U.S. Department of Labor has determined that the American Lifeguard Association meets these laws and regulations and offers lifeguard certification programs similar to those provided by the American Red Cross.
The American Lifeguard Association is one of a handful of national training entities listed by the United States Government as meeting these federal requirements.
With this said, the American Lifeguard Association meets national lifeguard training and certification requirements for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Article VI of the U.S. Constitution provides that federal law is the “supreme law of the land.” Federal regulations, including United States Department of Labor requirements regarding lifeguard training and certification, take precedence over conflicting state laws.
Preemption applies regardless of whether the conflicting laws come from state legislatures, courts, administrative agencies, or state constitutions.
To enroll in the program, click the ADD TO CART button at the top of the page. You can complete the certification program right away or at any time in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register for lifeguard certification and training?
You can register for our lifeguard certification by clicking the ADD TO CART button at the top of this page. Once you complete your registration, you will receive immediate access to the online training materials and can start your lifeguard training right away.
We are available 24/7 in real time to assist you if you have questions or need help with the program.
What does the lifeguard training program include?
Our lifeguard course includes certification in Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR/AED.
The program covers swimming skills, rescue techniques, CPR/AED, and First Aid procedures. It follows the latest national standards for lifeguard certification and training, helping ensure you are well prepared to respond to emergencies.
How long is my lifeguard certification valid?
Once you complete the lifeguard certification program, your certification is valid for two years.
You will be required to take a lifeguard recertification course to renew your credentials.
Can I take lifeguard certification classes near me?
Yes. Our lifeguard training programs are available nationwide.
The American Lifeguard Association offers lifeguard classes and lifeguard courses for individuals, schools, and community pools. You can start and complete your training at your convenience.
Are there any prerequisites for the lifeguard course?
Yes. The prerequisites include being at least 15 years old, swimming 300 yards continuously, treading water for 2 minutes, and completing a timed rescue event.
These prerequisites help ensure that participants are ready for lifeguard training and certification.
Can I complete the lifeguard course online?
Yes. Our lifeguard certification classes can be completed through our video-led instruction and comprehensive manuals. This allows you to train at your own pace without waiting for a group class.
Our national blended program is designed to allow employers to assess your skills while promoting continuous practice and improvement through in-service training. By combining the convenience of online instruction with practical application overseen by employers, the program supports real-world experience under the guidance of experienced professionals.
Practical competency is addressed within the aquatics environment through employer-based pre-service evaluations and ongoing in-service procedures established to meet CDC Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) requirements. These are national standards set by the CDC Model Aquatic Health Code, helping ensure candidates receive strong preparation for aquatic emergency prevention and response.
How do I recertify my lifeguard certification?
Our lifeguard recertification program is available to all previously certified individuals.
You can take the lifeguard recertification course online. The course reviews key skills and includes an exam to renew your lifeguard certificate.
What is the cost of the lifeguard certification program?
Thanks to a special grant, our lifeguard certification program is currently available at the discounted rate of $285, reduced from the original price of $385.
This price includes training for Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid, with a lifeguard certificate valid for two years.
What happens if I do not pass the lifeguard course on my first attempt?
If you do not pass the lifeguard course exam on your first attempt, you can retake it at no additional cost.
We want you to succeed and feel confident in your lifeguard training.
Where can I take lifeguard classes near me?
Our lifeguard certification programs are available nationwide.
You can register for lifeguard courses and lifeguard training at any time and complete the course from anywhere.
Is the lifeguard certification recognized in all 50 states?
Yes. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the U.S. Department of Labor, as the federal Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), has determined that the American Lifeguard Association meets the national standards for lifeguard training and certification.
The American Lifeguard Association is among a select group of national training entities recognized by the United States Government as meeting these federal requirements. Consequently, the American Lifeguard Association fulfills the national requirements for lifeguard training and certification in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.
Is online lifeguard certification valid internationally?
Yes. Lifeguard certification through recognized organizations such as the American Lifeguard Association (ALA) and the American Red Cross is valid internationally.
How do I ensure my lifeguard skills remain sharp after certification?
Employers are required under CDC Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) national standards to provide both pre-service and continuous in-service training to ensure lifeguards have the required skills.
Regular practice and ongoing evaluations are key to maintaining proficiency after lifeguard certification.
How do I register for a lifeguard recertification course?
You can register for our lifeguard recertification course by visiting our website and selecting the Recertification option.
Simply click ADD TO CART to complete your registration. Once registered, you will receive immediate access to the online materials to begin your recertification training.
We are available 24/7 to assist you with any questions or guidance throughout the process.
Learn More
Learn more at https://americanlifeguard.com/.
If you have any questions or need assistance at any point in the program, please email us at alalifeguard@aol.com.
We pride ourselves on offering the best customer service in the profession, monitoring incoming messages 24/7 and responding in real time or within just a few minutes.
Available Nationwide
The American Lifeguard Association provides lifeguard training and certification throughout the United States, including:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Our programs also meet national requirements for the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.
Click “ADD TO CART” at the top of the page to register.