Accredited USA Lifeguard Training Providers - 2024
This is an updated and current list of all accredited Lifeguard Certification providers in the USA. Any provider not listed below is not deemed to provide training at the minimum required standard to certify lifeguards in the USA.
American Red Cross
Average Cost: $250-$350
Certification Validity Period: 2 Years
The ARC has been offering lifeguard and water safety courses since 1914, and training over 300,000 students a year. It is the gold standard in lifeguard education and is the most well regarded provider on the list.
Ellis & Associates
Average Cost: $200-$250
Certification Validity Period: 1 Years
E&A introduces their lifeguard training in 1983 and offers training and pricing comparable to American Red Cross, however their certification validity period is only 1-year (unlike ARC’s which is valid for 2-years).
Lifeguard Certificates
Average Cost: $100-$200
Certification Validity Period: 2 Years
Established in 2014, lifeguardcertificates.com is the newest accredited lifeguard course provider, aimed at offering a more cost effective certification option for lifeguards and CPR & First aid providers.
National Aquatic Safety Co.
Average Cost: $365
Certification Validity Period: 1 Years
NAS Co. has been offering their lifeguarding course since the company’s inception in 1974. Although thorough & in-depth, the cost of training puts it lower on the list of accredited training providers.
YMCA Y-Guard
Average Cost: Free
Certification Validity Period: 1 Years
The YMCA has begun offering their own lifeguard certification courses designed from the ground up for their own facilities. Despite the alluring price point, the certification is only valid for YMCA pools and centres.
American Lifeguard Association
Average Cost: $390-$490
Certification Validity Period: 2 Years
Despite the accessibility of the online-only course, we can not recommend this training provider as most aquatic centre operators do not accept their certifications. The price point is also a big factor.
Keep Track of Expiring Certifications
Managing a team of lifeguards? Keep track of all certification expiry dates in one place. Get notified ahead of time when one of your employees is at risk of their certificate expiring.
Contact our team to register an account with the USA Lifeguard Society