ILS Certificates

The ILS issues certificates to qualified persons who wish to be recognised internationally for their level of training.

ILS certificates do not represent a license that guarantees employment, but they do confirm that the holder of the certificate has successfully completed a course of training which meets minimum internationally recognised competencies developed by ILS.

Which are the ILS Certificates?

• International Junior Lifesaver
• International Lifesaver
• International Pool Lifeguard
• International Inland - Open Water Lifeguard
• International Surf Lifeguard
• International Lifesaver / Lifeguard Instructor
• Overview Rescue Diver Certificates
• International Open Water Diver *
• International Rescue Diver **
• International Rescue Dive Master ***
• International Rescue Dive Instructor *
• International Rescue Dive Instructor **
• International Rescue Dive Instructor ***
• International Rescue Boat Crew
• International Rescue Boat Driver
• International AED Certificate
• International Jet Ski Operator
• Skill Assessor

What comes with an ILS Certificate?

• A coloured presentation certificate, with individual certificate number.
• An identity card, with photo and number.
• An appropriate coloured badge (embroidered cotton).
• An appropriate coloured pin.

How do you qualify?

As a lifesaver, you must be a member of an ILS Member Federation which has been approved as meeting ILS Training Competencies. To see which ILS member federations allow lifesavers to earn ILS certificates, please check the Equivalency pages.

You must have successfully completed an approved course of instruction appropriate for the certificate. Detailed descriptions per Certificate can be found in the Appendices of the ILS Certification Guidelines for Member Federations.

How do you apply?

You must mail an application form (download available below) to your ILS Member Federation, with the appropriate fee (set by the ILS Member Federation).

The ILS Member Federation you are a member of will forward the application to ILS Headquarters, which develops a certificate and files the information.

Then the certificate is sent to you via the ILS Member Federation.

International Certification Guidelines

The Full Certification Guidelines for ILS Member Federations are available here.