You must be 15 years or older to attend a lifeguard screening at one of our indoor training facilities. However, you must be 16 years or older to work as a lifeguard for the City of Philadelphia.

To become a City lifeguard, you must:

1. Be 16 years old.
2. Pass the lifeguard screening test (see below).
3. Complete a Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Course (free for those 24 and under)

Lifeguard screening test

• Swim 300 yards non-stop.
  • 12 laps of freestyle or breaststroke in a 25-yard pool.
  • This is not a timed swim.
  • If you stop, you will need to start over.
• Tread water for two minutes without using your arms.
• Retrieve a 10-pound brick from a 12-foot-deep well. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards back to the starting point with the brick, using only your legs.
  • The brick must be held out of the water with both hands.
  • You must complete this task within one minute and 40 seconds.

Free training is available year-round to prepare candidates to pass the screening.

Free training and screening is available at:

• Abraham Lincoln High School, 3201 Ryan Ave., Philadelphia PA 19136

  • Mondays through Fridays from 4:30-8:30 p.m.

• Friends Select School, 17th & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103

  • Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30-4:30 p.m.

• St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, 1733 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19130 

  • Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5:00-8:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Reserve a time slot for a Lifeguard Swim Skills Training.

Candidates who pass the screening will be enrolled in lifeguard certification or recertification courses through Parks & Rec.

Certification and recertification are free for lifeguards ages 16–24 who work at a Parks & Rec pool.

Costs for candidates aged 25 and over are:

• Certification: $110.
• Recertification: $65.