Effective July 1, the Nassau County Department of Health will institute a new system for certifying lifeguards.

All applicants:

* must apply in person

* must possess an American Red Cross Basic Lifeguard Certificate or a New York State Department of Health accepted equivalent and be at least 16 years of age at the time of the test.

* will be photographed

* will be required to pay a $25 processing fee.

Applicants also must be in satisfactory medical condition and have at least 20/40 vision in one eye, without corrective lenses. Hearing loss in either ear should not exceed 25db between 500 and 2,000 Hz, 40 db at 3,000 Hz and 45 db at 4,000 Hz. The medical application must be signed by a physician.

The certificates are valid for a period of three years. Processing fee payments may be made by check or money order payable to the Nassau County Department of Health.

For additional information, please call the Department of Health between 9 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. at 571-2591.