Lifeguard Academy Important Dates

Pre-Qualification Exam Days

Applicants who have applied for the Ocean Rescue Lifeguard Position will be invited by the City of Jacksonville beach Human Resources to attend the Lifeguard Academy Pre-Qualification Exam Day. This Pre-Qualification Exam Day is required for anyone looking to be selected for entrance into the Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue Lifeguard Academy. 

The Pre-Qualification Exam Day consists of the following:

  • Perform a 550-yard freestyle swim in under 10 minutes.
  • Run a half-mile on the beach in under 4 minutes.
  • Successfully drag a Jacksonville Beach Lifeguard Tower 50-yards.

The following Pre-Qualification Exams for Lifeguard Academy are scheduled for the following days: 

  • Saturday, March 11, 2023
  • Saturday, March 18, 2023.
  • Saturday, April 22, 2023.
  • Saturday, June 03, 2023.

Lifeguard Academy Classes

Candidates will be chosen for the Jacksonville Beach Lifeguard Academy based on their Pre-Qualification Exam performance, past training, and experience.

The Ocean Rescue Division will host Lifeguard Academy Courses in the spring and early summer. The Lifeguard Academy is an 80-hour course conducted on Saturdays and Sundays for four consecutive weeks. More detailed information will be provided during onboarding with the City of Jacksonville Beach and on the first day of the Lifeguard Academy Class.

Lifeguard Academy 004 has been postponed to Saturday, May 06, 2023.

Lifeguard Academy 005 will start on Saturday, June 17, 2023.

Continue to check back for updated information, and follow us on Instagram @jaxbeachlifeguard. 


Dates and times of Pre-Qualification Exams and Ocean Rescue Lifeguard Academy Courses are subject to be changed, postponed, or canceled.