National Lifeguard
How do I become a Lifeguard?
The training pathway to becoming a lifeguard starts with the Bronze Medallion, which can be earned starting at age 13 (or earlier if you hold a Bronze Star). The next course you need is the Bronze Cross course, which prepares you for being an Assistant Lifeguard. The final step is to earn your National Lifeguard award, which can be earned in one of four streams: pool, waterfront, surf, or waterpark. First Aid awards are also required prerequisites at various levels.
The training pathway to becoming a lifeguard starts with the Bronze Medallion, which can be earned starting at age 13 (or earlier if you hold a Bronze Star). The next course you need is the Bronze Cross course, which prepares you for being an Assistant Lifeguard. The final step is to earn your National Lifeguard award, which can be earned in one of four streams: pool, waterfront, surf, or waterpark. First Aid awards are also required prerequisites at various levels.
If my National Lifeguard certification expires, do I need to retake the course, or can I still recertify?
You do not need to retake a National Lifeguard course if your certification expires. You may take the recertification course as long as you have once held the National Lifeguard Certification.
You do not need to retake a National Lifeguard course if your certification expires. You may take the recertification course as long as you have once held the National Lifeguard Certification.
Awards
I am moving to another province; what should I do?
Contact us. We will transfer your awards to the appropriate branch. Should you return to Nova Scotia, your information will still be in our database.
Contact us. We will transfer your awards to the appropriate branch. Should you return to Nova Scotia, your information will still be in our database.
I am moving to Nova Scotia; what should I do?
Contact us. We can contact another provincial branch to obtain your award record so that equivalent awards appear in the Nova Scotia database. It helps if you provide us with your LSS Member ID for the province where you earned your awards.
Contact us. We can contact another provincial branch to obtain your award record so that equivalent awards appear in the Nova Scotia database. It helps if you provide us with your LSS Member ID for the province where you earned your awards.
I lost the paper copy of my award. Can I get a new one?
Yes, we can reprint your awards for $15 per award. However, most employers will accept a digital record, which you can access at findamember.ca using your LSS Member ID.
Yes, we can reprint your awards for $15 per award. However, most employers will accept a digital record, which you can access at findamember.ca using your LSS Member ID.
Where can I find my Member ID?
You can find your Member ID by checking the bottom right-hand corner of any certification card you have received.
You can find your Member ID by checking the bottom right-hand corner of any certification card you have received.
I haven’t received my award. Where is it?
This could be for a few reasons. If your mailing address is different from your home address, it is possible that the test sheet we received only had your home address. Make sure you provide your mailing address to your instructors/trainers to avoid this. If your address has changed, please let us know so we can update it at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
This could be for a few reasons. If your mailing address is different from your home address, it is possible that the test sheet we received only had your home address. Make sure you provide your mailing address to your instructors/trainers to avoid this. If your address has changed, please let us know so we can update it at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
First Aid
Can I recertify my first aid award?
Yes, Nova Scotia follows the CSA standard for first aid training, which allows recertification. Recertifications are shorter but require an evaluation of all items. A Basic Workplace First Aid recertification is a minimum of 3.5 hours. An Intermediate Workplace First Aid recertification is a minimum of 7.0 hours.
You only qualify for a recertification if your original certification has not expired.
Yes, Nova Scotia follows the CSA standard for first aid training, which allows recertification. Recertifications are shorter but require an evaluation of all items. A Basic Workplace First Aid recertification is a minimum of 3.5 hours. An Intermediate Workplace First Aid recertification is a minimum of 7.0 hours.
You only qualify for a recertification if your original certification has not expired.
Is there any way to shorten my first aid course?
No, course times are set by the province and follow the guidelines in the CSA standards for First Aid training.
Basic Workplace First Aid courses are a minimum of 7.0 hours and can be recertified with a minimum course time of 3.5 hours.
Intermediate Workplace First Aid courses are a minimum of 14.0 hours and can be recertified with a minimum course time of 7.0 hours.
No, course times are set by the province and follow the guidelines in the CSA standards for First Aid training.
Basic Workplace First Aid courses are a minimum of 7.0 hours and can be recertified with a minimum course time of 3.5 hours.
Intermediate Workplace First Aid courses are a minimum of 14.0 hours and can be recertified with a minimum course time of 7.0 hours.
I found a first aid course that is all online; does this meet the requirements in Nova Scotia?
No, fully online first aid courses do not meet the requirements in Nova Scotia. While some of our affiliates offer a blended format (knowledge sessions online and practical skills demonstrated in person), fully online courses do not meet the requirements.
No, fully online first aid courses do not meet the requirements in Nova Scotia. While some of our affiliates offer a blended format (knowledge sessions online and practical skills demonstrated in person), fully online courses do not meet the requirements.
Recertifications
When do I have to recertify a certification?
All Lifesaving Society certifications are valid for 2 years, except for Basic Workplace First Aid and Intermediate Workplace First Aid, which are valid for 3 years. For any non-First Aid certifications, you can recertify before or after the date they are no longer current.
For First Aid certifications, you must recertify while the certification is still current. Otherwise, you will have to retake the First Aid course.
All Lifesaving Society certifications are valid for 2 years, except for Basic Workplace First Aid and Intermediate Workplace First Aid, which are valid for 3 years. For any non-First Aid certifications, you can recertify before or after the date they are no longer current.
For First Aid certifications, you must recertify while the certification is still current. Otherwise, you will have to retake the First Aid course.
How do I recertify a certification?
This depends on the certification you are trying to recertify. For Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard, Basic Workplace First Aid, and Intermediate Workplace First Aid, you must take a recertification course. Note that to be eligible for the Basic Workplace First Aid and Intermediate Workplace First Aid recertification courses, you must have a current certification in that award.
For Swim for Life Instructor, Lifesaving Instructor, National Lifeguard Instructor, Examiners, and Trainer awards, you recertify through the credit system.
This depends on the certification you are trying to recertify. For Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard, Basic Workplace First Aid, and Intermediate Workplace First Aid, you must take a recertification course. Note that to be eligible for the Basic Workplace First Aid and Intermediate Workplace First Aid recertification courses, you must have a current certification in that award.
For Swim for Life Instructor, Lifesaving Instructor, National Lifeguard Instructor, Examiners, and Trainer awards, you recertify through the credit system.
Challenge Course/Exam
What is a Challenge Course/Exam?
Candidates may challenge (present themselves for examination without taking the course) the Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross awards. When attempting a Challenge Course/Exam, the candidate is evaluated on all material, both instructor-evaluated and examiner-evaluated.
Candidates may challenge (present themselves for examination without taking the course) the Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross awards. When attempting a Challenge Course/Exam, the candidate is evaluated on all material, both instructor-evaluated and examiner-evaluated.
What courses can be challenged?
Only Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, and Bronze Cross awards can be challenged. The following courses must be taken in full: National Lifeguard, First Aid (all levels), CPR (all levels), AED, Airway Management, all Management Training certifications, all Instructor certifications, and all Lifesaving Sport Coach and Officials certifications.
Only Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, and Bronze Cross awards can be challenged. The following courses must be taken in full: National Lifeguard, First Aid (all levels), CPR (all levels), AED, Airway Management, all Management Training certifications, all Instructor certifications, and all Lifesaving Sport Coach and Officials certifications.
I did not pass the exam for _____ but I passed the course material, can I redo the exam?
No, to complete the course, you need to complete both the instructor-evaluated components and the examiner-evaluated components. If the course was a Bronze Medallion or Bronze Cross, the option to challenge the course does exist.
No, to complete the course, you need to complete both the instructor-evaluated components and the examiner-evaluated components. If the course was a Bronze Medallion or Bronze Cross, the option to challenge the course does exist.
Swim Instructor/Lifesaving Instructor
What am I allowed to teach with the Swim For Life Instructor certification?
The Swim For Life Instructor certification allows you to teach all programs from the Swim For Life program: Parent & Tot 1-3, Preschool 1-5, Swimmer 1-6, Adult 1-3, and Fitness Swimmer. Swim For Life Instructor certification also allows you to teach the Swim Patrol levels, Rookie Patrol (Swimmer 7), Ranger Patrol (Swimmer 8), and Star Patrol (Swimmer 9).
The Swim For Life Instructor certification allows you to teach all programs from the Swim For Life program: Parent & Tot 1-3, Preschool 1-5, Swimmer 1-6, Adult 1-3, and Fitness Swimmer. Swim For Life Instructor certification also allows you to teach the Swim Patrol levels, Rookie Patrol (Swimmer 7), Ranger Patrol (Swimmer 8), and Star Patrol (Swimmer 9).
What am I allowed to teach with the Lifesaving Instructor certification?
The Lifesaving Instructor certification allows you to teach the Swim Patrol levels of Rookie Patrol, Ranger Patrol, and Star Patrol, as well as the Bronze program: Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, and Bronze Cross.
The Lifesaving Instructor certification allows you to teach the Swim Patrol levels of Rookie Patrol, Ranger Patrol, and Star Patrol, as well as the Bronze program: Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, and Bronze Cross.