Department of Environmental Management changes requirements for becoming lifeguard

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is changing the requirements for becoming a lifeguard.

The Department of Environmental Management said the goal is to encourage more people to apply to become lifeguards.

Any current lifeguard whose certification is set to expire in September will get an extension until next June. Lifeguards who only have a conditional certification and need to attend the training this month, will only be tested on the swim portion, not rescue.