Lifeguard Certification
Quick Facts
- Method of instruction: online and in-person
- Length of class: 27.5 hours
- 6 hours online
- 21.5 hours in-person
- Location: TCC Northwest Fitness Center
After successfully completing the class, which includes a paper and an in-water test, you will receive a 2-year American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification.
Scholarships are available to current TCC students who agree to work at one of the TCC pools for at least one semester. If you are interested in working as a lifeguard at a TCC pool, contact Sarah Matlock at sarah.matlock@tccd.edu.
Prerequisites for Enrollment
You must pass the swim test prerequisites to qualify for class enrollment.
Prerequisite 1
Complete a swim–tread–swim sequence without stopping to rest:
- Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface, then 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.
- Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs.
- Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both.
Prerequisite 2
Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:
- Starting in the water, swim 20 yards.
- Your face may be in or out of the water.
- Swim goggles are not allowed.
- Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7–10 feet to retrieve a 10–pound object.
- Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out at or near the surface.
- Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
Contact
Sarah Matlock
Updated July 14, 2025