Become an ALTS Instructor

Adult Learn-to-Swim Instructor Certification

Do you want to expand the reach of your Masters club to include adults who don't yet know how to swim? Do you see a need in your community for learn-to-swim lessons geared toward adults? Have you taught others to swim and experienced the joy of sharing the sport of swimming with someone? If yes, you might make a good adult learn-to-swim instructor. USMS provides a certification program for adult learn-to-swim instructors.

Once you become a certified adult learn-to-swim instructor, you're eligible to receive ALTS instructor designation. We recommend that you renew the ALTS designation for each registration year to maintain your ALTS instructor benefits.

Questions? Check out the FAQ below or c ontact us.

Get Certified

ALTS Instructor Certification FAQs

ALTS stands for adult learn-to-swim.

A USMS ALTS instructor is someone who has successfully completed a USMS ALTS instructor certification course and is certified to teach adults how to swim.

A USMS ALTS instructor can show you the teaching methods that USMS uses to teach an adult to swim, but only USMS can certify you as a USMS ALTS instructor.

No, you don't have to be certified to teach an adult to swim, but you should learn the proper teaching methods from a USMS ALTS instructor before teaching an adult to swim.

No, the certification course is for anyone who teaches or wants to teach adult swim lessons.

You must be a member of USMS and you must be able to perform the following five water competency skills:

Step or jump into deep water and return to the surface
Float or tread water for 1 minute
Turn around in a full circle and find an exit
Swim 25 yards to the exit
Exit from the water

Here is our current class schedule.

Standardized curriculum
Certified adult instructor with specialized knowledge of working with adult learners
Safety
Certificate of Accomplishment award
Special invitation to become part of U.S. Masters Swimming and enjoy USMS member benefits