IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Effective November 2021, the Department of Health is no longer issuing LIFEGUARD LICENSES.
Instead of a license from the Department of Health, lifeguards are now required to have a paper or digital copy of their training certificate at the pool when they are at work. The certificate must be from one of these approved training agencies: American Red Cross; YMCA; Starguard; International Lifeguard Training Program (Ellis).
POOL OPERATOR licenses may be obtained in person or by mail.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age.
Print out the application below. Enclose the following documents with the completed application and payment:
- A printed copy of a certificate of completion from an approved pool operator training course. For NEW applicants the 14-hour initial course is required. For RENEWALS the four-hour review class is sufficient. Find approved pool operator training here: Approved Pool Operator Training Courses
- The Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks also offers pool operator training. Information is available here.
- For NEW applicants, a printed copy of a valid form of identification: driver’s license, learner’s permit, MVA non-driver ID, military ID, passport or birth certificate. The ID must include your date of birth.
- For RENEWALS, the identification document is not necessary.
Anne Arundel County Department of Health
Bureau of Environmental Health
3 Harry S. Truman Pkwy
Annapolis, MD 21401
MAIL: Send your application, documents and $60.00 fee (check or money order) to the address above.
DROP OFF: Applications can be dropped off inside the front entrance of the Department between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Use a sealed envelope, clearly marked Pool Operator application. Your license will be mailed back to you. DO NOT DROP OFF CASH PAYMENTS.
IN PERSON: The Bureau of Environmental Health is open for in-person service from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Payment by cash or credit card must be made in person.
PAYMENT: The license fee is $60.00. Checks and money orders are preferred. Make these payable to Controller, Anne Arundel County. If you wish to pay with a credit card or cash, please come in to the department to obtain your license. We do not have the capability to take credit card payments over the phone.
LICENSE RENEWAL: Your license will expire three years from the date on your training certificate. To renew your license, you will need to attend pool operator review training and submit a copy of the certificate from that class. The Department will send out a renewal notice via email before your license expires. Be sure that your email address is completely legible on the application.