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New lifeguards will earn 22 hourwith an additional 880 training
bonus. Register here.
Iconic Washington Square Arch will be lit up orange during
October in honor of Parks lifeguards.
NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez Rosa joined members of
the NYC Parks Lifeguard Corps ata rally to announce the start of
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qualifying exams to become a lifeguard for the summer 2026
season and encourage New Yorkersto sign up.
Lifeguard qualifying tests, The first step to becoming a
lifeguard protecting city beaches and pools will begin
this year on October 25th, more than a month earlier than
previous years. The announcement was made at a
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rally that brought a bit of the beach to Washington Square Park
with lifeguard chairs, rescue boards, palm trees and a
lifeguard beach vehicle, affectionately dubbed Gina,
short for Auron Gina speakers included City Council Parks
Committee chair Shikhar Krishnan, state Senator Brian
Kavanaugh, parks lifeguard RomeoOrtiz and FDNY Lieutenant Brett
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Etheridge, who previously workedfor 12 years as a parks
lifeguard. To honor lifeguards and promote
awareness for recruitment, NYC Parks announced that the
Washington Square Arch will be illuminated in orange every
evening in October. This fall, orange isn't just for
pumpkins. All October long, we're lighting
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up the Washington Square Park Arch in the signature color of
our Lifeguard Corps to remind New Yorkers that qualifying
tests to become a summer lifeguard start now, said NYC
Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez Rosa.
Lifeguarding is an incredibly rewarding job that teaches you
critical skills, hones judgement, and connects you with
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lifelong friends. NYC Parks has made incredible
progress in rebuilding our Lifeguard Corps after the
pandemic, and we're getting an early start recruiting the
city's newest heroes. Now we need your help to make
Summer 2026 the best summer ever.
Lifeguard qualifying tests will be held at indoor pools,
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including recreation centers andpublic schools in all 5
boroughs. Test dates will be added on a
rolling basis through February 2026.
Register for a qualifying test here.
To qualify to become a lifeguard, candidates must be at
least 16 years of age by the start of employment, have at
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least 20-30 vision in one eye and 2040 in the other without
corrective lenses. Glasses or contact lenses may
not be worn during the eye exam.Be able to swim 50 yards in 50
seconds or less with proper form.
On September 7th, Parks closed out a successful 2025 summer
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season after safely hosting morethan 9 million visitors at
beaches and outdoor pools. Thanks to an aggressive
recruitment campaign and expansion of training
opportunities. Parks had 1082 lifeguard
staffing pools and beaches in summer 2025, the highest total
since 2019. This included a 23% increase in
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new recruits from 2024. Parks Brave Lifeguards ensured
the safety of millions of attendees and conducted more
than 225 beach rescues throughout the summer.
Steps to becoming a Lifeguard 1 Qualify Sign up for a qualifying
test. These tryouts take place in our
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indoor pools from late October through late February.
All potential lifeguards must beable to swim 50 yards in 50
seconds or less and pass a vision exam.
Candidates must be 16 or older by the first day of work.
We'll even help you get ready for the test with our free Swim
Prep program, providing personalized training to improve
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your speed, endurance and stroketechnique on your journey to
becoming a lifeguard to train. Once you pass the qualifying
test, your training to become anNYC Parks Lifeguard begins.
During the 16 session program, you'll strengthen your swimming
and learn crucial life saving techniques.
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Certification is awarded after passing a final swim test.
Three guard Our beaches open on Memorial Day weekend and outdoor
pools open in late June. Beaches and pools close the
Sunday after Labor Day. If you successfully complete the
training program, you may be offered a full time position at
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a beach or pool and earn 22 per hour.
Lifeguards also receive an 880 training bonus at the end of the
season. Put your skills into action for
an unforgettable summer job experience.
For more information, visit the Become an NYC Parks Lifeguard
page. With higher wages, exciting
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bonuses and easier pathways to becoming a lifeguard, the Parks
Department is challenging New Yorkers to start the journey and
apply to be a lifeguard. Lifeguard recruitment is more
important than ever. As our city gets hotter and our
summers get longer, ensuring ourpools are properly staffed will
save New Yorkers lives, said NewYork City Council Committee on
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Parks and Recreation Chair Shikhar Krishnan.
I'm thankful for Commissioner Rodriguez Rosa and her team for
their hard work to make this initiative possible, and I
encourage eligible New Yorkers to prep, test, train and guard
our beaches and pools next summer.
New York City lifeguards make a tremendous contribution to our
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city, enabling New Yorkers to safely enjoy the pools and
beaches, said Sharon Greenberger, president and CEO
of the YMCA of Greater New York and Co chair of the NYC Citywide
Lifeguard and Aquatics Task Force.
Today's beginner swimmers could be future lifeguards, a job
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which can lead to great career opportunities.
We strongly support the City's efforts to recruit and train
more Lifegua.