How many other minimum wage (more or less) type jobs at WDW require any certification? Housekeeping? Waiter? Bus driver is the only example I can think of.To be a lifeguard at WDW and elsewhere, you need American Red Cross certification. You can obtain the certification by participating in a 8 - 12 hour class....
Lifeguards, some places, are also expected to be ENT certified.
The issue isn't how difficult life guard certification is but how many certified lifeguards are looking for work.