Can a National Lifeguard certification that expired years ago still be requalified?
Yes: the Société de sauvetage (the Lifesaving Society) says an expired National Lifeguard certification can be requalified at any time, 3, 5 or even 20 years after it expired.
Last verified: Code de sécurité and issuing body page read on 19 October 2026.
The detail
The Société de sauvetage says this of the National Lifeguard certification, without distinguishing the pool, waterfront or waterpark options. These certifications are requalified every two years: 24 months after they are obtained.
According to the same page, an expiry date cannot be pushed back, not even by a day: the Société advises planning the requalification two or three months before it expires.
While it is expired, the certification does not qualify anyone to supervise: Québec’s Code de sécurité (Chapter IX) requires a valid certificate, for a pool lifeguard (s. 438) as for a beach lifeguard (s. 462). See the question on lifeguard certification renewal.
The reference does not describe what requalification involves (course, exam): confirm that with the Société de sauvetage.
Sources
- An expired National Lifeguard certification can be requalified at any time; requalification every two years — Source : Société de sauvetage —
sauvetage.qc.ca/fr/sauvetage/devenir-sauveteur/requalifications - Valid lifeguard certificate required, for a pool (s. 438) as for a beach (s. 462) — Source : Code de sécurité, Chapter IX, Lieux de baignade (CQLR, chapter B-1.1, r. 3) —
www.legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/fr/ShowDoc/cr/B-1.1,%20r.%203
To be confirmed with the issuing body. Rules change, and these answers restate Remanso’s reference as of its verification date. The issuing body is the authority: confirm the term and the conditions with it before relying on them.
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