Frequently Asked Questions
- What if I don't have my original certifications and only have copies?
- What if I haven't finished my lifeguarding, first aid or CPR course?
- How will I be evaluated?
- How many chance do I have to complete a skill?
- What if I don't successfully complete the timed swim?
- What if I don't successfully complete one or more rescue skills?
- What if I don't successfully complete a retest?
What if I don't have my original certifications and only have copies?
If you only bring copies of certifications to the lifeguard test, you will be allowed to participate in the examination process but your application will be placed on hold until you provide original certifications. Copies of certificates, however, will not be accepted for hiring purposes.
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What if I haven't finished my lifeguarding, first aid or CPR course?
We strongly recommend that you wait until you complete your training before you take the DCR Lifeguard Pre-Employment Exam. However, if you choose to go through the exam and you are currently enrolled in a lifeguard training, first aid, or CPR course, please bring a letter, on official letterhead, signed by your instructor, indicating the course title and expected date of completion. You will be allowed to participate in the examination process but your application will be placed on hold until you provide original certifications. You will not be hired until you can provide proof of certification.
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How will I be evaluated?
Each candidate will be evaluated on a point system by an authorized DCR examiner. A passing score consists of achieving 70 or more total points in addition to
- Successfully completing the written exam (with a minimum score of 80%); and
- Completing the time swim within the assigned time limit; and
- Successfully completing each rescue skill tested.
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How many chances do I get to complete a skill?
Lifeguard applicants will be given up to two (2) attempts to achieve a passing grade ("Weak" or "Strong") for a skill before a failure is recorded as the official exam result. Students who receive an initial grade of "Fail" on the first attempt at a rescue skill will be counseled as to their specific deficiencies and offered one additional opportunity to improve their score to a grade of "Weak". After the second attempt, however, the examiner will enter a final score for the candidate. The final score will be limited to "Weak" or "Fail". A candidate will not receive a grade of "Strong" if the candidate had to attempt a skill twice.
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What if I don't successfully complete the timed swim?
Persons who finish the 500 yard swim over the allotted time but who successfully complete all other skills, will be allowed the opportunity to retest on the timed swim alone on a future date. Thus, pool and inland lifeguard applicants who exceed the 11 minute limit and ocean lifeguard applicants who exceed the 9:30 minute limit will be offered the option of continuing with the testing process with the understanding that they will need to retest on the timed swimming skill.
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What if I don't successfully complete one or more rescue skills?
Persons not receiving a satisfactory score ("Strong" or "Weak") on any one or more of the individual skills assessments shall receive a failing score for the entire exam and shall be allowed one (1) opportunity per summer season to retake the entire practical examination at a future date.
- A retest on one specific skill will not be allowed, with the exception of the 500 yard swim.
- Failure of the one or more skills during practical portion of the exam necessitates taking all practical skills tests, including the 500 yard swim, again at a future date.
Written test results, if passing, will be saved on file so that the candidate need not retake the written exam during a retest, thereby focusing the candidate on the practical skills tests.
Lifeguard candidates will be limited by the number of scheduled examinations and the space available at each exam.
Examiners will not be required to schedule special make-up dates to accommodate applicants who could not successfully complete the employment exam.
Position vacancies will not be held open for pending retest results. Lifeguards who successfully complete the exam process will be placed into positions as needed. Once a candidate successfully completes the entire exam process, the candidate may then be placed into any open positions then remaining.
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What if I don't successfully complete a retest?
Candidates who do not successfully complete a retest may not be hired during the current season. Applicants are encouraged to review their knowledge and skills and consider applying again next year.
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