Why should I pay for my staff to take the certification, I already have a training process?
This certification promotes standardized knowledge and expectations among swim instructors, covering a breath of topics not seen all together anywhere else. We recommend you use CFSI to prepare instructors to handle most situations they could encounter in the field and then use your training to teach your instructors how to teach your curriculum as well as the emergency action plans specific to your facility.
Who can take the certification?
Anyone who wants to teach swim! It is great for new swim instructors as a foundation and it’s great for experienced instructors as a refresher.
How long does it take to complete the certification?
Approximately 12 hours total:
Fundamental Swim Instructor Online Course 5 hrs
Infant Toddler Online Course 4 hrs
Play with Purpose Online Course 2 hrs
100 question multiple choice proctored exam 1 hr
How do I prove my 30 hours of in-water training?
Have your swim school manager or owner complete this form. You’ll submit it during Step 3: Exam Pre-Reqs, to then be verified by our staff. (Get the forms here PDF or Online)
What is the cost of certification?
Description
USSSA Member Fee
Non-member Fee
CFSI Certification (includes required courses and one take of the exam)
$110
$330
Retake exam (2nd or 3rd exam attempt) or Cancelled/No Show Exam Reschedule Fee
$55
$55
Recertification via CE (every 3 years)
$75
$175
Recertification via exam (every 3 years)
$100
$200
Recertification late fees
$30
$30
Is there bulk pricing available?
Yes, USSSA members can purchase at bulk pricing starting with a purchase of 10 or more registrations. Pricing ranges from $55-$99 each depending on the number purchased.
Yes! The three required courses are online courses. Certification also requires a CPR certification and an owner or manager to attest that the certification candidate has received at least 30 hours of in water training.
Does certification require the USSSA Infant Toddler and/or Special Abilities full day workshop?
No, the required courses are all online and include:
Fundamental Swim Instructor Online Course 5 hrs
Infant Toddler Online Course 4 hrs
Play with Purpose Online Course 2 hrs
I signed up for the certification but I can’t find the training courses?
When you sign up for the certification you should receive an email with login instructions into the USSSA Online Portal. The courses will be under My Learning Plan, scroll to the bottom of the learning plan under the section USSSA Certificate Courses.
I finished all the online training, what next?
Go to usswimschools.org/cfsi and click on Step 3 to upload your pre-requisite documents. (Get the forms here PDF or Online) Be sure to use the same email you used when you signed up for the CFSI. Documents needed include:
Background check report (if over 18)
Valid, current CPR certification
Signed attestation form
Is there an additional fee to take the online exam?
No, the fee to take the exam is included in your certification registration. The only potential fees would be:
Rush Fee: requesting a test date within the next 72 hours
Retake Fee: fee to retake because of a no show or cancellation without a 48 hour notice
What should I expect from the proctored exam?
You will need to be ready to take your exam in a quiet area while sitting at a table or desk with the area around your computer cleared. Your phone cannot be near you and you can only be connected to one screen. You will need to download Guarding Browser from link provided. Chromebooks are not compatible with the exam platform. For full test taker details visit: https://bit.ly/CFSITestTakerTips
What do I do if I have a technical issue while taking my test or trying to access my test?
For immediate assistance or if the test taker encounters issues connecting to a proctor: contact ProctorU immediately via chat at https://auto.proctoru.com/chat or call at +1-855-772-8678
Still have questions? Watch these videos for more information.
What You Need to Know about CFSI
00:13 Not Like Other Certifications
00:39 Four Components to Earn Certification
01:13 Who Should Get Certified
01:53 What Does BETA Mean
02:42 How to Get Started
02:55 Topics Included in Fundamental Online Course
03:41 Step 2 Pre-Req Submission
03:49 Instructor Attestation information
04:55 FAQs
05:44 Why Choose this Certification
What is In the Fundamental Swim Instructor Course?
00:12 Overview of Sections Included
00:50 Swim School Health & Safety Topics
01:03 Student Health & Safety Topics
01:20 Instructor Health & Safety Topics
01:27 Instructor Standards Topics
01:50 Preschool Topics
02:08 Elementary Topics
02:27 Teens & Adults Topics
02:41 Special Abilities Topics
03:00 Bringing It All Together Topics
03:20 FAQs
What is the Process to Receive a CFSI?
00:10 Four Steps to the Certification Process
01:08 Application to Register for the Certification
02:40 Finding Assigned Course in Online Portal
03:24 How to Complete an Online Course
04:18 Completing the Prerequisite Form
06:15 Scheduling Your Certification Exam
08:09 Computer Requirements for Online Exam
08:33 What Happens if you Miss Your Scheduled Exam
The Candidate Experience: What to Expect During Your Remote Proctored Exam
Member school Blue Buoy Family Swim School was featured on the “World’s Greatest TV Show” on the Bloomberg TV channel. This program seeks out exceptional businesses, destinations, products, and people with special stories about who they are and what they do. Their episodes aired nationally on consecutive Sundays.
A young child uses his swimming knowledge to swim to the pool’s side when he falls in. Thanks to the training he received at San-T-Swim swim schools.
The Wendy Fereday Swim School recently shared with us a letter they received from swim mom Erin. “We took the boys to our pool in the neighborhood for a quick swim yesterday evening to get out some bedtime energy. Decker and Jax were playing with an inflatable water polo goal they recently got. Ames, age 3, went to check it out and I had my eyes on him the whole time from where I was sitting. He leaned over at the edge of the pool and reached too far in the water and fell in head first in the pool. I instantly got up from my chair and ran to help him (I was close enough where I knew I could get to him if I needed to) but I stopped at the edge of the pool because I could see him do the “turn around and save yourself” routine. He was kicking his legs and reaching to the edge of the pool just like you’ve taught him since he was tiny! After he grabbed the edge of the pool, he started to pull himself out of the pool and he was crying. I hugged him and told him “Ames, you did it. You turned around and saved yourself!” He kept crying and saying “I fell in the pool” and I just kept saying over and over again “you turned around and saved yourself” and gave him lots of big hugs. Then the boys came over and told him good job for saving himself and he got so proud of himself.”
The Wendy Fereday Swim School recently shared with us a letter they received from swim mom Erin. “We took the boys to our pool in the neighborhood for a quick swim yesterday evening to get out some bedtime energy. Decker and Jax were playing with an inflatable water polo goal they recently got. Ames, age 3, went to check it out and I had my eyes on him the whole time from where I was sitting. He leaned over at the edge of the pool and reached too far in the water and fell in head first in the pool. I instantly got up from my chair and ran to help him (I was close enough where I knew I could get to him if I needed to) but I stopped at the edge of the pool because I could see him do the “turn around and save yourself” routine. He was kicking his legs and reaching to the edge of the pool just like you’ve taught him since he was tiny! After he grabbed the edge of the pool, he started to pull himself out of the pool and he was crying. I hugged him and told him “Ames, you did it. You turned around and saved yourself!” He kept crying and saying “I fell in the pool” and I just kept saying over and over again “you turned around and saved yourself” and gave him lots of big hugs. Then the boys came over and told him good job for saving himself and he got so proud of himself.”