To become a crossing guard, you usually apply to your city, police department or council rather than a private employer. In New York City, for example, the NYPD asks for no formal education or experience, only enough English to communicate, plus a medical exam with drug screening, a background check and six days of training at the Police Academy. In the UK, councils appoint school crossing patrols.
Crossing guard jobs are local, so the rules depend on who runs the service where you live. I read the NYPD school crossing guard page and the UK law behind school crossing patrols on 26 October 2026, and they're a useful model of what to expect.
Crossing guard requirements: the NYC example
| Requirement | NYPD school crossing guard |
|---|---|
| Education and experience | No formal requirements |
| Language | Must understand English and speak it well enough to be understood |
| Before appointment | Qualifying medical exam, including drug screening, and a character and background investigation |
| Training | Six days at the Police Academy once appointed |
| Hours | Part time: mornings, lunch time and the end of the school day |
| Pay as of October 2026 | $18.00 an hour |
| Benefits | Health insurance with 20-plus hours worked per week; summer work also available |
How to become a crossing guard, step by step
- Find out who hires in your area. In New York City it's the NYPD. Elsewhere, check your city, local police department or school district. In the UK, it's the council.
- Check the basics. NYPD candidates need no formal education or experience, but must understand and speak English well enough to be understood.
- Register or apply. The NYPD asks candidates to register and points them to their resident police precinct. It also lists working close to home as a benefit.
- Pass the checks. Expect a qualifying medical exam with drug screening and a character and background investigation before you're appointed.
- Complete training. NYPD crossing guards complete six days of training at the Police Academy after appointment.
- Start your post. You'll control traffic around a school at set times each school day.
What the job involves
The NYPD describes the role simply: school crossing guards oversee and control traffic flow around schools in the morning, at lunch time and at the end of the school day, so children can cross busy intersections safely. It's part-time by design, which is why it suits retirees, parents and anyone who wants a few hours of steady local work.
The pay is better than many people expect for a part-time role. In New York City it's $18.00 an hour as of October 2026, and health insurance kicks in once you work 20-plus hours a week. The NYPD also lists summer work and the chance to work close to home as benefits.
In the UK: school crossing patrols and the law
UK crossing guards are officially school crossing patrols, and their powers come from the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Two sections matter:
- Section 26: the council (the 'appropriate authority') can arrange patrols at places where children cross roads on their way to or from school. Patrols are appointed by or for the council and can't be police constables. The council has a duty to satisfy itself that the people it appoints are adequately qualified.
- Section 28: a patrol wearing an approved uniform can make a driver stop by showing a prescribed sign. The driver must stop before the crossing point and can't move off while the sign is still shown. Failing to do either is an offence.
Here's the detail most people miss. Section 28 now says the power applies when "a person" is crossing or seeking to cross, not only a child. So a school crossing patrol can stop traffic for an adult or an older person at the crossing, too.
Skills that make a good crossing guard
- Reliability, because a school can't open the crossing without you
- Clear, confident signals that drivers understand straight away
- Patience with children, parents and impatient drivers
- Stamina to stand outside in all weathers
None of these need a qualification, which is why the medical and background checks do the screening. If you like the idea of public safety work and want to go further, my guides on how to become a police officer and how to become a teaching assistant cover two natural next steps.
Why the checks matter
You'll be responsible for children crossing busy roads, so the screening is the real entry test. In New York City that means the medical exam with drug screening and the character and background investigation, both before you're appointed. In the UK, the law puts the duty on the council to satisfy itself that the people it appoints are adequately qualified. Either way, a clean record and good health matter more here than any certificate.
Questions to ask before you apply
Because every city runs its own programme, ask the hiring office a few things up front: how many hours a week the post gives you, whether there's paid training, whether summer or holiday work is available, and which crossing you'd cover. The NYPD answers most of these on its own page, and it's a good benchmark to compare other offers against.
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My verdict
Becoming a crossing guard is one of the most accessible public jobs there is: no qualifications, a short training course and hours that fit around family life. You'll need to pass a medical and background check, and you'll be outside whatever the weather. If you want meaningful part-time work close to home, find out who runs the crossings in your area and apply.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need qualifications to be a crossing guard?
Not in New York City. The NYPD says there are no formal education or experience requirements, but you must understand and speak English well enough to be understood.
How much do crossing guards make?
As of October 2026, the NYPD pays school crossing guards $18.00 an hour, with health insurance for 20-plus hours a week.
How long is crossing guard training?
NYPD school crossing guards complete six days of training at the Police Academy once appointed.
Is a crossing guard a full-time job?
Usually not. The NYPD describes it as part-time work in the morning, at lunch time and at the end of the school day.
Who appoints school crossing patrols in the UK?
The council. Section 26 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 lets the appropriate authority appoint patrols, who can't be police constables.
Can a lollipop person stop traffic for adults?
Yes. Section 28 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 gives the power when a person is crossing or seeking to cross, not only a child.
