Recertification
What Is Recertification?
Recertification allows instructors to keep their certification current without having to retake the entire course. It is designed to review and update the knowledge, skills and competencies required to teach and evaluate Lifesaving Society programs. Participants are expected to 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 (LSI);
First Aid Instructor (FAI);
Swim Instructor (SI).
Depending on the certifications held and teaching activities completed, some instructors may be eligible to use the credit system to keep an additional certification current.
Combined Recertification
The recertification process allows instructors who hold multiple certifications to combine certain requirements for maintaining their qualifications.
In-person recertification activities are limited to a maximum of 8 hours over a two-year period. An instructor who holds three Level 1 certifications must therefore participate in at least two recertification activities before being able, if the applicable criteria are met, to use the credit system for the third certification.
An instructor who holds both Swim Instructor and Lifesaving Instructor certifications and has taught and evaluated at least two lifesaving courses during the two years preceding recertification may participate only in the 4-hour Swim Instructor recertification and then use the credit system to keep the other certification current.
An instructor who has not completed the required teaching activities must participate in 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 spent teaching swimming.
The credit system may allow an instructor who holds multiple Level 1 instructor certifications to keep an additional certification current when the required activity criteria are met.
Eligibility depends on factors including:
Certifications held and their validity;
Recertifications completed;
Teaching and evaluation activities completed during the reference period.
An instructor who has not been sufficiently active during the required period must participate in the in-person recertification activities corresponding to each certification being renewed.
Instructors may always choose to participate in all recertification activities, even when they are eligible to use the credit system.
The credit system is also used to recertify certain higher-level certifications, including:
Aquatic Emergency Care Instructor;
National Lifeguard Instructor — all options;
Instructor Trainer — all options.
Prerequisites
To be eligible for recertification through the credit system, an instructor must meet requirements including:
Hold a valid instructor certification in the option corresponding to the certification being recertified: swimming, lifesaving or first aid;
Hold a valid National Lifeguard certification when required for an aquatic course;
Have taught at least one course or recertification corresponding to the certification being 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 proper preparation. Reviewing knowledge, techniques and reference materials helps participants arrive ready to demonstrate the competencies associated with their certification.