Renewal within the period of validity of your existing NPLQ is straightforward, requiring the completion of a three-to-four-hour renewal assessment. This includes a full assessment of your lifeguard knowledge and skills by an independent assessor.

Prior to the renewal assessment, you must have access to an up-to-date copy of candidate manual and have completed 20-hours of Continual Professional Development (CPD) from the date of your previous assessment.

CPD must cover content from the NPLQ syllabus:

• In-water swimming pool rescue skills (at least four hours)
• CPR (at least four hours)
• First Aid (at least four hours)
• Lifeguard theory (at least four hours)

CPD can be achieved by:

• Attendance at ongoing lifeguard training and competency assessment (strongly recommended)
• Attendance at alternative training, face-to-face or online, relating to in-water swimming pool rescue skills, CPR, First Aid and lifeguard theory

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Struggling to complete your CPD Hours?

The RLSS UK Ongoing Training Finder is designed to support you to be ready for your renewal. With an easy‑to‑use map, you can quickly locate local providers who offer the ongoing training you need to secure your CPD hours.

Browse nearby venues, check if each one offers the training you require, and choose the sessions that fit your schedule. No more ringing around or endless searching, just a simple way to stay on track for renewal. 

Visit the Ongoing Training Finder

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Candidates renewing their qualification must provide accurate records, paper or electronic, of CPD to the Trainer that will present them for assessment. These records must contain:

• The CPD method
• An outline of the topics covered
• The dates on which the activity was undertaken 
• The time period of the CPD 
• The number of hours 
• Evidence that you undertook the CPD activity (e.g. signature from the Trainer of the CPD, certificate etc.)

Candidates who fail to requalify prior to their qualification expiry date can still be put forward as a renewal candidate up to 28 days after expiry, providing they hold at least 20 hours of CPD. Any reassessments must have also been completed within 28 days after the expiry date.

Please note – The candidate’s qualification has expired, and the candidate is no longer considered a qualified lifeguard.

If the candidate does not requalify or complete any outstanding reassessments within the 28 days after expiry, they must meet the criteria for, and be assessed as a new candidate, e.g. provide evidence of 36 hours of training in the full syllabus of the NPLQ, complete all activities and revision questions in the NPLQ candidate manual. 

View NPLQ Renewal courses

If the 'Results - Map' doesn't show any courses in your area, contact your local leisure centre, swimming pool, or lifesaving club for possible upcoming courses.