Verification of Identity Policy
NEW! Effective January 1st, 2026 the Lifesaving Society is requiring proof of identification for the certifications listed below. You will be required to provide proof of identification on the first day of your course.
ID requirements
Your ID must be valid (current), include your name, date of birth and photo, be an original document issued by a federal, provincial, territorial or state government authority.
For more information & list of approved ID see https://www.lifesavingsociety.com/policies/verification-of-identity-policy.aspx.
Those unable to provide ID will not be certified, and no refunds will be issued.
- Bronze Cross (original or recert)
- National Lifeguard (original or recert)
- Emergency First Aid
- Standard First Aid (original or recert)
- Aquatic Supervisor and Aquatic Manager
- Swim Instructor and Lifesaving Instructor
- Swim Update Clinic
- National Lifeguard Instructor
- First Aid Instructor
- In-person recertification course
- Examiner course and Trainer course
Become a Swim Instructor or Lifeguard!
Aquatic Leadership = Job training, skills and friends for life! Successfully complete your NLS and instructor certifications at Dovercourt and you will be guaranteed a lifeguard/ swim instructor position in the next session.
Below are the categories and programs one can take; scroll down to see an illustrated path.
Bronze programs
Are you a swim-loving person who has finished the Junior Lifeguard program? Take the next step in your aquatic journey with the LSS Bronze programs:
- Bronze Star (click on Junior Lifesaving in the program widget below to see the Bronze Star classes)
- Bronze Medallion / Emergency 1st Aid
- Bronze Cross / Standard First Aid
Become or recertify with lifeguard courses!
- National Lifeguard (NL)
- NL recert
- Old Farts NL Recert
- Swim Instructor
- Lifesaving Instructor
- NL Instructor
- LSS Instructor Trainer Course
- Examiner Course
- LSS SFA Instructors
- Aquatic Supervisor
- Aquatic Management Instructor
The Aquatic Leadership Path:
Become a lifeguard & swim instructor
At Dovercourt, we pride ourselves in being the finest leadership training centre in Eastern Ontario. Programs are offered year ’round.
Prerequisites
When registering for a course, please ensure you have the right prerequisites required for the course
Certification | Prerequisites |
Bronze Medallion | 13 years old or has passed Bronze Star |
Bronze Cross | Bronze Medallion |
National Lifeguard | Bronze Cross |
NL Recert | National Lifeguard – pool option |
Swim Instructor | 15 years old & Bronze Cross or NL |
Lifesaving Instructor | 15 years old & Bronze Cross or NL |
Standard First Aid Recert | Must have taken a FULL Standard 1st Aid COURSE within the past 3 years through the Lifesaving Society in order to qualify for this recertification course. |
First Aid Instructor | 16 years & Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid, or Standard First Aid from a training agency approved by the Ontario government. See full list of approved agencies here : https://www.lifesavingsociety.com/policies/prerequisite-policies/first-aid-prerequisities.aspx |
National Lifeguard Instructor | National Lifeguard, Lifesaving Instructor. Recommended: Bronze Examiner, experience lifeguarding |
Aquatic Supervisor | National Lifeguard and Swim Instructor or Lifesaving Instructor. |
Examiner Course | Appropriate Instructor certification and experience teaching; successful completion of the Examiner course; and successful apprenticeship on one exam in the stream in which they are seeking examiner certification. Specifically: Bronze Examiner: Experienced Lifesaving Instructor First Aid Examiner: Experienced First Aid Instructor National Lifeguard Examiner: Experienced National Lifeguard Instructor |
Instructor Trainer | Appropriate examiner or instructor certification in at least one stream: Swim Instructor Trainer: Swim Instructor & taught at least 100 hours of the Swim for Life program. Lifesaving Instructor Trainer: Bronze Examiner. First Aid Instructor Trainer: First Aid Examiner. National Lifeguard Instructor Trainer: National Lifeguard Examiner. Lifesaving Sport Coach Trainer: Lifesaving Sport Coach Level 1 & Lifesaving Sport coaching experience. Lifesaving Sport Officials Instructor Trainer: Lifesaving Sport Officials Instructor.
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Many of the aquatic leadership courses are held over multiple days and times. Click the ‘Register’ button for each to see the days and times.
Cancellation Policy
Refunds will be provided up to 3 weeks (21 days) prior to the start date and subject to a $20 administration fee (this fee is waived if the amount is left as an account credit).
Within 3 weeks (21 days) of a program start, refunds will not be issued other than in extraordinary circumstances, and with medical documentation.
Many of the aquatic leadership courses are held over multiple days and times. Click the ‘Register’ button for each to see the days and times.
