Lifeguard Agency Certification Program (LACP)

United States Lifesaving Association

Lifeguard Agency Certification Program - Application

Thank you for applying to the United States Lifesaving Association’s Lifeguard Agency Certification Program (LACP).

To be eligible for certification, your agency must meet the national standards outlined in the USLA Guidelines. Before proceeding, please ensure the following:
- Review USLA Guideline 001 ton confirm your agency complies with all standards. Visit usla.org/guidelines .
- Have written policies ready to upload for each section. Please upload only the relevant portion (e.g., swim test, CPR/First Aid requirements)—not the full training manual.
- Accepted supporting documents include:
  
  Agency policy manual (preferred)
  
  Official training manual
  
  Job descriptions issued by the employing agency
  
  Official job announcements
  
  Union contracts
  
  Publicly issued policies on agency letterhead signed by the administrator
- Upload relevant documents in PDF format only.
Curriculum Checklist – This checklist is included in the application and must be completed online.

Advanced Level Certification – If your agency is pursuing Advanced Level Certification, please complete the optional questions and upload supporting documentation where indicated.

Important Notes:
- Red Asterisk * – Required fields must be completed before moving forward.
- Back Navigation – Do not use your browser's back button. Use the Back button at the bottom of the form page.
- Saving Progress – Each time you click “Next”, the data on that page is saved.
- Printing – If you'd like a copy for your records, please print your application before submitting.
Fee – The application fee is $500. The USLA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization recognized by the IRS (Federal Tax ID #23-7067234). Approved agencies are certified for a three-year period, provided they continue to meet or exceed the standards outlined in their application.

The Lifeguard Agency Certification Program is reviewed on an ongoing basis by the USLA Board of Directors. Requirements may be updated periodically to reflect evolving standards in professional open water lifesaving.

If you have questions, please contact:
- USLA Executive Director – ed@usla.org
- National Certification Committee Chair – certification@usla.org
- Phone: (866) 367-8752

Which of the following best describes your agency's status with USLA?:*
Please describe your agency's status and timeline for implementing USLA guidelines.*
Include your anticipated launch date and any expected challenges in achieving full compliance.
Upload any documentation supporting your agency's plan to comply with USLA guidelines.

Upload a File
This may include policies in progress, training outlines, internal memos, or related planning documents. Cancelof
Enter the official name of applying agency:*
Agency is seasonal or year-round:*
Title and Name of Agency Director:*
Agency Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry
Agency Director's Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Agency Director's Off-Season Phone Number (if agency is seasonal)

Area CodePhone Number
Agency Director's E-mail*
Agency Director's Off-Season Email (if agency is seasonal)
Agency Website (Website will be linked to your agency name on USLA.org):
Name of person completing this form:*

First NameLast Name

Phone Number of person completing this form:*

Area CodePhone Number
E-mail Address of person completing this form:*
What were the total number of lifeguards at your agency during the most recently ended year?*
How many of these were seasonal or hourly?*
How many of these were full-time, year-round?*
For statistics gathering only: Does your agency conduct a Junior Lifeguard Program?*
For statistics gathering only: How many children participate in your Junior Guard program each year?*
Record Keeping and Reporting
Click to verify*

I confirm that our agency has submitted annual statistics to the USLA during each year of certification (not required for new applicants). To see if your agency’s statistics have been submitted each year during each year of certification, visit www.usla.org/statistics and search on your agency. If you have not submitted your statistics you can do so on that web page.

Initial Requirements for All Agencies
Minimum age required for all hourly and/or seasonal lifeguards?*
Note: A minimum age of 16 is required for USLA Lifeguard Agency Certification
Minimum age required for all full-time lifeguard personnel?*
Note: A minimum age of 18 and possess a high school diploma or equivalency certificate is required for full-time lifeguard for USLA Lifeguards Agency Certification.
Swimming Ability: Demonstrate the ability to swim 500 meters (550 yards), without equipment that enhances buoyancy or propulsion, over a measured course in ten minutes or less is required for certification.

A swim test of under 500 meters is not permissible. Swim tests over 500 meters are encouraged, but times must be equivalent to or faster than the 500 meters in 10 minutes standard. If the swim test is combined with other physical testing, such as a run, the swim portion must be timed separately.

The USLA requires that each applying agency have a written policy in place detailing its required swim test. The policy may, for example, be published in a policy manual or included in an official job announcement and must make clear that this is a standard that must be met and maintained by all lifeguards.
What is the distance of the timed swimming test for hourly and/or seasonal lifeguards?*
What is the maximum time allowed to pass this swimming test?*
How often are swimming skills of hourly and seasonal lifeguards personnel tested?*
Click to verify*

I verify that all seasonal personnel are required to complete the swim test before returning to duty at the beginning of each season.
Note: A swim test must be conducted before seasonal lifeguards return to duty.
Does your agency employ full-time (year-round) lifeguards?*

Yes - we have full-time (year-round) lifeguardsNo - we do not have full-time (year-round) lifeguards
What is the distance of the timed swimming test for full-time (year-round) lifeguards?*
What is the maximum time allowed to pass this swimming test?*
How often are swimming skills of full-time (year-round) lifeguards personnel tested?*
Upload your agency's swim test policy*

Upload a File

Cancelof

Click to verify*

I verify that all medical aid and CPR instructors used by our agency are currently certified by an agency recognized by the Federal Government or the state government in the state of employment to instruct any medical aid or CPR course provided to trainees or ensures that a person so certified is responsible for providing such training.
Click to verify

I verify that in addition to completing CPR and medical aid training (and exclusive of that training) all lifeguards are trained in a formal course at least 40 hours in length, including all elements of the required USLA curriculum before any assignments as a lifeguard.
Click to verify*

I verify that in addition to completing CPR and medical aid training all lifeguards are trained in a course at least 40 hours in length, including all elements of the required USLA curriculum before any assignments as a lifeguard. I verify that training hours, subjects, and instructors are documented for review.
Click to verify*

I verify that a medical doctor or the doctor's designated physician's assistant or ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner) documents that all lifeguards employed by our agency possess adequate vision, hearing acuity, physical ability and stamina to perform duties of an open water lifeguard.
NOTE: Recommended standards for medical exams can be found in the USLA Position Statements at usla.org/position-statements. For reference, many agencies include language similar to the following in their Health & Fitness policy:

Health & Fitness: Prior to assignment, each lifeguard must demonstrate that the lifeguard possesses adequate vision, hearing acuity, physical ability, and stamina to perform the duties of an open water lifeguard. This must be validated by a medical doctor, or the doctor’s designated physician’s assistant or ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner).
Upload documentation supporting your agency's medical fitness policy or screening process*

Upload a File

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Click to verify*

I verify that all lifeguards, are required to successfully complete a pre-employment test demonstrating adequate physical strength and stamina to perform the duties of an open water lifeguard.
Click to verify*

I verify that any lifeguard who will be required to utilize scuba in the course of employment is, at a minimum, certified as a scuba diver at the basic level by a nationally recognized certifying agency.No lifeguard in our agency will be required to utilize scuba.
Click to verify*

I verify Open Water Lifeguard Instructors (who oversee our agency lifeguard training) are required, at a minimum, to possess a high school diploma or equivalency certificate.
Click to verify*

I verify that lifeguards assigned to water surveillance are given no duties other than those directly related to public safety.

Click to verify*

I verify that lead instructor(s) of our agency's lifeguard training are required to have worked a minimum cumulative total of 1,000 hours of employment compiled in no fewer than three seasons as a sesonal open water lifeguard or full-time open water lifeguard at a lifeguard agency which meets the standards of the USLA.
Click to verify*

I verify that all lifeguards are provided daily opportunities, conditions, permitting, for activities such as swimming, rescue board training and running.
Click to verify*

I verify that subsequent to initial training being provided, all lifeguards are provided a minimum of 16 hours per year in formal training.
Click to verify*

I verify that all full time lifeguards (employed year-round) are required by policy (upload policy) at a minimum, to be certified as an Emergency Medical Responder in a medical aid course, accepted by the Federal Government or by the state government in the state of employment, which is equivalent to Department of Transportation Emergency Medical Responder. Total formal medical aid and CPR training, in the certified medical course, shall be no less than 40 hours.
Upload policy specifying the required medical aid course for full time lifeguards.

Upload a File

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Course Title:
Click to verify

I verify our minimum medical aid course requirement for seasonal or hourly lifeguards meets or exceeds the standards of Department of Transportation Emergency Medical Responder.
Certifying Authority:
Click to verify*

I verify that full time, year-round lifeguard personnel must have worked a minimum of 1,000 hours as an open water lifeguard at the beaches of the hiring agency.
Click to verify*

I verify that full time, year-round lifeguard personnel are required, at a minimum, to possess a high school diploma or equivalency certificate.

Click to verify*

I verify that a cardiac defibrillator (e.g. automated external defibrillators - AED) is readily accessible at each staffed beach area, with personnel trained in its use. (This is highly recommended for all agencies and required to achieve or maintain advanced certification.)
Total number of AEDs maintained by our agency is:
Communications
Click to verify*

I verify that equipment for lifeguards to communicate with the public at a distance (ex: whistles, megaphones(s), air horn(s), etc.) is provided at all locations staffed by lifeguards.
Click to verify*

I verify that our agency provides two-way radios or similar equipment for lifeguard to lifeguard communication.
Describe your lifeguard to lifeguard communication:*
Click to verify*

I verify that communication equipment is provided for lifeguards to immediately activate local EMS.
Personnel Needs
Click to verify*

I verify that lifeguards are required to wear an easily identifiable uniform, denoting the wearer as a trained rescuer (e.g. "Lifeguard," "Beach Patrol," Marine Safety" ) and denoting the employing agency.
Click to verify*

I verify that sunscreen is provided for use by all lifeguard personnel.
Click to verify*

I verify that reasonable equipment is provided to protect lifeguards from sun exposure.
Click to verify*

I verify that Open Water Lifesaving, The United States Lifesaving Association Manual is provided to each trainee.

Site Specific - Curriculum Checklist

Only answer the following question if they match your site and agency needs.
Click to verify

Identify the uses of mobile vehicle support if used by the employing agency.
Click to verify

Identify the usefulness and limitation of the landline, if the landline is used by the employing agency.
Click to verify

Demonstrate the donning and use of swim fins in rescue, if swim fins are used by agency.
Click to verify

Identify the various types of waves and the forces effecting their formation, if the agency serves a beach with wave action.
Click to verify

If rip currents are present at beaches served by the agency, identify each of the various types of rip currents.
Click to verify

Identify the usefulness and limitations of scuba in search and rescue operations.
Affidavit
Click to verify*

I hereby attest that the information contained in this form is true and correct, and that it accurately reflects the standards, requirements, and training procedures of this agency: (Both signatures are required for processing.) Use the mouse to write signature.
Print Name of Person Completing Form and Date*
Signature of Person Completing Form*

Clear
Print Name of Agency Director and Date*
Signature of Agency Director*

Clear
Conclusion
Payment Method*

I would like an invoice sent to our agency.I already paid by credit card.
Thank you for completing the USLA Lifeguard Agency Certification Application.

A confirmation email with a copy of your submission will be sent to the address you provided once you click Submit.
Should be Empty:

United States Lifesaving Association

Record Keeping and Reporting

Initial Requirements for All Agencies

Advanced Level Certification

Minimum Equipment Standards

Rescue

Medical

Communications

Personnel Needs

Course Curriculum Checklist

Basic Rescue

Professional Lifeguarding

Environmental Conditions

Communications

Records and Reporting

Preventive Lifeguarding

Rescue Techniques and Procedures

Medical Aid in the Aquatic Environment

Search and Recovery