Recertification
What is a recertification?
Recertification allows an instructor certification to remain current without having to retake the entire course. It is designed to verify and update the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to teach and evaluate Lifesaving Society programs. Participants must prepare for recertification and be able to demonstrate that they continue to meet the competencies associated with their certification.
Which certifications must be recertified?
Level 1 instructor certifications must be kept current:
Lifesaving Instructor
First Aid Instructor
Swim Instructor
Depending on the certifications held and teaching activities completed, some individuals may be eligible to use the credit system to keep an additional certification current.
Combined recertification
The recertification process allows individuals who hold multiple instructor certifications to combine certain competency maintenance requirements.
In-person recertification activities are limited to a maximum of 8 hours over a two-year period. A person who holds three Level 1 certifications must therefore participate in at least two recertification activities before being eligible, if the applicable criteria are met, to use the credit system for the third certification.
A person who holds both the Swim Instructor and Lifesaving Instructor certifications and who has taught and evaluated at least two lifesaving courses during the two years preceding recertification may attend only the 4-hour Swim Instructor recertification and then use the credit system to keep the other certification current.
A person who has not completed the required teaching activities must attend both recertifications:
Swim Instructor: 4 hours;
Lifesaving Instructor: 4 hours.
Eligibility criteria take into account teaching activities completed during the reference period, including teaching and evaluating Bronze-level courses or the number of hours of swimming instruction.
The credit system may allow a person who holds multiple Level 1 instructor certifications to keep an additional certification current when the applicable activity requirements are met.
Eligibility depends on factors such as:
The certifications held and their validity;
Recertifications completed;
Teaching and evaluation activities completed during the reference period.
A person who has not been sufficiently active during the required period must attend the in-person recertification corresponding to each certification to be renewed.
It is always possible to choose to attend all recertification activities, even when eligible for the credit system.
View the Credit System Eligibility Table
The credit system also continues to be used for the recertification of certain higher-level certifications, including:
Aquatic Emergency Care Instructor;
National Lifeguard Instructor — all options;
Trainer — all options.
Prerequisites
To be eligible for recertification through the credit system, a person must meet requirements that include:
Hold a current instructor certification in the option corresponding to the certification being recertified: swimming, lifesaving, or first aid;
Hold a current National Lifeguard certification when required for an aquatic course;
Have taught at least one course or recertification corresponding to the certification to be kept current;
Meet any other criteria applicable to the certification concerned.
Applications for recertification through the credit system must be submitted using the Credit System Recertification Form – Levels 3 & 4.
Preparing for recertification
Recertification requires adequate preparation. Reviewing knowledge, techniques, and reference materials helps participants arrive prepared to demonstrate the competencies associated with their certification.