That’s awesome you’re thinking about lifeguarding—it’s a great gig! You’ll definitely need to get your certification before you can apply for most lifeguard jobs. It’s kind of a non-negotiable since pools and beaches want to know you’re trained and ready to handle emergencies. I’d recommend checking out the American Lifeguard Association for a lifeguarding certification near me . They offer flexible courses that cover everything from CPR to advanced rescue techniques, and the best part is their cert is recognized nationwide. Once you’ve got that under your belt, you’ll be in a good spot to apply anywhere, whether it’s at a local pool, a waterpark, or even a beach. The process itself is pretty straightforward—get certified, apply to the job, maybe pass a swim test, and you’re good to go.