Contents of the Pool Lifeguard Exam

To become a trained pool lifeguard, you must have a certificate in either the pool lifeguard exam or the commercial lifeguard exam. To take the exams, a test fee must be paid to the USA Swimming Union. The funds are used to update the union's judges and to administer the exams. You can read more about the requirements for obtaining a certificate in the pool lifeguard exam.

The owner of the swimming pool decides which test to take. The owner is typically the municipality, which can choose to delegate the decision to the lifeguard/pool inspector.

 A passed pool lifeguard exam provides a certificate to work as a lifeguard in the facility where the exam was taken. Instructors must have a pool lifeguard certificate if there are no lifeguards working in the facility when teaching.

 Age:  Anyone who has turned 17 before the end of the year can register for the Pool Lifeguard Test.
Attire: The Pool Lifeguard Test must be completed in the facility's lifeguard uniform or with a minimum of shorts and a T-shirt. Swimming goggles are not permitted.

 Referee:  A referee with a valid license from the USA Swimming Union can judge the USA Swimming Union's pool lifeguard test. You can find a referee near you under  Find a referee .
 

Certificate:  After passing the test, the certificate will be sent via email. The test can be paid for with Dankort from the test taker or via invoice. The certificate is valid for one year and applies to the pool in which the test was taken. A test can be transferred to another facility by thoroughly reviewing the other facility. A test can never be transferred to a facility that has a deeper pool depth than the pool in which the test was taken.
 

Where and how:  To take a pool lifeguard test, you can contact your local swimming pool or swimming club and ask them if you can be allowed to take a pool lifeguard test together with the swimming pool or club.
If this is not an option, you must contact a judge yourself who can take you for the test. You can find a judge near you under the  Find a judge list .  You must make sure to find time in a swimming pool, as well as the necessary equipment for the test - a rescue dummy, a first aid training dummy and a training defibrillator. To take the Pool Lifeguard Test, it is recommended that you have taken a minimum of a 4-6 hour first aid course. .