Related Documents
Policy
All candidates presenting themselves at a Lifesaving Society vocational course; whether original or recertification, must verify their identity to the instructor, examiner or trainer, or through the Affiliates registration process (eg. Camps or Recreation Centres).
The Lifesaving Society Ontario (the "Society") requires that the candidates legal name must appear on all certifications it issues. Candidates may also provide a preferred name, which may be displayed on the certification if requested; however, it does not replace the legal name.
Background
The Society currently requires proof of age in Bronze Medallion, National Lifeguard, and all level 1 Instructor courses (i.e. Swim Instructor). Instructors, examiners and trainers verify the ages of the candidates by verifying passports, driver’s licenses, health cards or birth certificates as per the Program Guide.
In 2025, the Society will begin phasing in this policy starting with vocational awards.
Definitions
Vocational - Lifesaving Society awards used to gain employment (see Vocational Awards).
Preferred name - A name that an individual commonly uses that is different from their legal name. A preferred name may be added to a certification if requested, however, it does not replace the legal name.
Vocational awards
Vocational courses provide successful candidates with a license issued by Lifesaving Society Ontario in the form of a certification card and/or Find a Member record. This record indicates to an employer that the named candidate has met the minimum competency and standards required for the indicated certification.
For the purpose of this policy, verification of identity is required for the following original and recertification courses:
- Pool Attendant and Waterpark Attendant
- Bronze Cross (original or recert)
- National Lifeguard Pool, Waterpark, Waterfront and Surf (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
- Assistant Instructor
- In-person recertification course
- Examiner course and Trainer course
Identification requirements
To support one's identity, the identification must:
- Be valid (current)
- Include your name and date of birth
- Be issued by a federal, provincial, territorial or state government authority, or the equivalent
A photo is required for most forms of identification, except for Health Cards and Birth Certificates, which are acceptable without a photo. Identification may be original, copy, or digital copy.
The following ID are most commonly provided and meet the criteria above:
Process
- Candidates will produce identification document meeting the identification
requirements to the instructor, examiner or trainer or through the Affiliates registration process (eg. Camps or Recreations Centres) prior to the start of the course or recertification.
- The instructor, examiner, trainer or Affiliate will compare the legal name and age on the identification to the name on the Lifesaving Society permanent or valid temporary certification card or Find a Member record and the individual present for the course or recertification.
- Once verified, candidates who meet all prerequisites may continue in the course or recertification.
- The instructor, examiner or trainer will not take a copy of the identification and if one is provided, hand it back to the candidate. This is to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of what is contained on the identification. If a copy of an individual's identification is inadvertently attached when submitted test sheets or master sheets to the Society, the Society will promptly and securely destroy the copy.
- If the course starts or is online, the instructor, examiner or trainer will ensure privacy and confidentiality, for example, by asking each candidate to enter a breakout room to capture any essential information while the candidate displays their identification to the camera.