To remain “current" and able to teach Society courses, Lifesaving Society instructors, examiners and trainers must recertify their award(s) within 24 months of the certification or last recertification date.
To recertify, individuals must earn 4 points over the two-year recertification period by participating in professional development through the Lifesaving Society's Leadership Recertification Points System.
There are two categories of points – Mandatory and Open. At least 2 points from the Mandatory category are needed to recertify. Points must be earned from the Points List that aligns with your highest level of certification as the requirements vary based on your level of certification. 4 points recertifies all of your awards.
You can “stack points” – meaning instructors who teach or examine the same eligible course more than once earn points for each time they teach that course within their 24-month currency period. For example, if you teach two separate Bronze Cross courses, you’ll earn two points for EACH course. You’ve earned all four points. Refer to the Points List for your highest level of certification to see which options are available to use more than once or “stack.”
Points lists
How to Recertify
There are two ways you can complete the recertification process:
- Use the online recertification system.
- Complete the Leadership Recertification Form and submit by mail or email.
How to recertify online
First-time recertification
- Find your Web Access Code (located on the tear-away portion of your printed certification card directly below the blue portion).
- Create an account on lifesavingsociety.com. (Need help? Watch our how-to video)
- Follow the Repeat Recertification steps below.
Repeat recertification
- Log in to your Lifesaving Society account.
- Click “Recertification” in the left navigation menu (Contact us for assistance if this doesn't appear on your account).
- Complete the steps until payment is submitted.
- Email any additional documentation required.
How to recertify by mail or email
- Begin by selecting the Points List for the highest award you hold.
- Fill in the Leadership Recertification Form and send by email along with payment, and any additional documentation required.
Leadership Recertification Fees
First Leadership award recertified $40.00. Each additional leadership award recertified $40.00 (to a maximum of $120.00).
- 1 award = $40.00
- 2 awards = $80.00
- 3+ awards = $120.00 maximum charge
Earn 4 points in 4 hours from an In-person Recertification Course
The in-person recertification course focuses on the competencies learned in the instructor, coach and examiner courses and provides a refresher to those competencies. Course content will be updated every two years. This course provides the 4 points required to complete the leadership recertification for instructors, coaches, examiners and examiner mentors. This course does not automatically recertify a candidate. Following successful course completion candidates must complete the recertification process to be recertified.
*First Aid Instructor and/or Examiners who take the In-person Recertification Course, will teach dryland skill items and can participate in the in-water components as much as they are able.
Note: The points earned can be saved for up to 24 months before being applied to a leadership recertification. Candidates need not recertify immediately after the In-Person Recertification Course.
Prerequisite: Current or expired instructor (any), coach, examiner (any), or examiner mentor.
Instruction and Certification: Current Swim or Lifesaving Instructor Trainers teach and certify candidates.
Candidate Recognition: Posted to Find A Member record and awards 4 points towards leadership recertification.
Required references: Candidates should bring the Award Guide(s) that relates to their level of certification, Instructor Manual and Examiner Handbook (if applicable).
Instructional Format: This may be delivered through in-person learning only.
Instructional Time: This is a 4-hour course based on 12-16 candidates.
| In-Person recertification course |
Classroom |
Water |
| Total Time (4 hr.) |
1 hr. 10 min. |
2 hr. 50 min. |
Fees: There is no examination fee for this course. Candidates will pay the appropriate fee when they complete their leadership recertification online, via email or in person.
more information
Affiliates:
Affiliates in Ontario can offer the In-person Recertification Course. An updated version of the Leadership Master Sheet must be completed and submitted after the course for test sheet processing. There is no examination fee for this course, candidates pay the leadership recertification fee that applies to them when they submit their information to our office and their recertification is processed.
Please refer to the Program Guide for information about program requirements.
Instructors, Coaches, Examiners and Examiner Mentors:
The process to recertify and earn points is virtually unchanged. With a wider scope of ways to earn points, recertification is easier than ever. Instructors, examiners and coaches can take the new in-person course anytime during the 24 months prior to their recertification date. This improvement helps anyone who is unable to recertify based on teaching/examining/coaching credits alone.
There are now ‘Mandatory’ and ‘Open’ points, refer to the Points List linked above that applies to your highest level of certification. You need to earn 4 points in total to recertify all of your awards together.
All current methods of completing the leadership recertification process including submitting online using your login, sending in the form by email, by mail or by coming to the Lifesaving Society office in-person, remain unchanged. There will be an updated Leadership Recertification Form to complete for the new system.
Trainers:
The process to recertify your trainer status remains largely unchanged – you need to teach instructor level courses to earn points. As with other certifications levels you will need to earn 4 points in order to recertify all of your awards. Please refer to the Trainer Points Lists linked above for the Mandatory and Open points that apply to trainers who wish to recertify their awards. This list will also recertify all of your other leadership awards including instructor, coach and examiner certifications. Use of any other Points List will recertify only the awards that relate to that list – so be sure to use the right one!
Current swim and lifesaving trainers who teach the In-person Recertification Course will find all of the materials needed to teach the course available in the Leadership Library in the following sections: Swim Instructor, Lifesaving Instructor, and Swim and Lifesaving Instructor. Use the new, updated Leadership Master Sheet when submitting completed course test sheets to our office for processing.
For more information contact us.
FAQs
Can I recertify awards after they’ve expired?
Yes, as long as all points are earned within a two-year period from the date that you are trying to recertify, you are able to recertify post expiration.
What is a Web Access Code and where can I find it?
Your Web Access Code is required when you create your online account with the Society. Once this account is created you can recertify your awards online. The Web Access Code is found on the tear-away portion of the printed version of any Lifesaving Society permanent certification cards, directly below the blue portion. If you don't have your Web Access Code, contact us. Watch our how-to video about adding your access code and ID to your account!
When do I need to submit additional documentation?
If you've taught/coached a course that isn't tracked by our internal system (Swim for Life, Junior Lifeguard Club, Canadian Swim Patrol, Swim to Survive or Swim to Survive+, Lifesaving Sport Fundamentals, Lifesaving Sport Club), you must email proof that you conducted the course.
Which Points List do I use?
Use the Points List that aligns with your highest level of certification.
I took the In-person Recertification Course; do I still have to complete the recertification process?
Yes. Taking the In-person Recertification Course earns you four points, which will allow you to recertify your instructor, coach, examiner and examiner mentor awards, but you must still complete the recertification process either online or by mail/email.
Can I use credits I earned before I was certified as an instructor?
No, the points system is intended for instructors to show growth and use of their certification. Only points earned after you were a certified instructor are eligible to be used.
Can I use earning my Swim Instructor certification to recertify my Lifesaving Instructor certification?
If you earn a new instructor certification you can use the points earned to recertify existing instructor/examiner awards, however, you will need to earn an additional 4 points to recertify the new award when the time comes.
More questions?
Watch our How-to videos or contact us.