Are you interested in joining the pool service industry? Are you already working in this field and looking for ways to advance your career and grow your earning potential?
Either way, achieving your Certified Pool and Spa Operator (CPO) certification can help you get there. This is a distinguished designation that sets you apart from others in this space and helps you build customer confidence.
How much does a CPO certification cost and how can you get started? Today, we’re crunching the numbers and sharing all of the information you need to know.
Why Should You Pursue a CPO Certification?
Investing in your CPO certification is the most efficient way to stand out in the growing, competitive field of pool and spa operations. Not only can it help you land the job you want, but it can also give you the confidence and ability to go out on your own!
By the time you complete your training course and sit for your exam, you will be well-versed in every important topic in this industry. Throughout your course, you’ll learn how to:
- Craft a strong management plan
- Build a network of personal contacts
- Identify and minimize physical, chemical, and biological hazards within the pool environment
- Identify and follow local regulations for safe pool operation
- Identify and follow the industry standards that govern pool operation
- Establish a positive working relationship with local regulatory agencies
- Complete testing and documentation related to pool and spa operation
- Calculate pool and equipment measurements and chemical usage computations
These are essential topics that any qualified, experienced pool operator is expected to know. While you can learn some of these skills on the job, an official CPO certification is necessary if you want to advance in this field.
The pre-exam course you’ll be required to take covers every aspect of successful pool and spa operation and management. Core topics covered include:
- Pool management
- Water quality management
- Pool and spa components
- Pool and spa maintenance
- Pool and spa design
- The special needs of a hot water spa environment
How Much Does the CPO Certification Cost?
Now that we’ve covered why a pool technician should pursue this next step, let’s talk money. The cost of CPO certification will certainly factor into your decision, so it’s important to know what you can expect.
To fully prepare for your exam, it’s best to complete a comprehensive training course beforehand. There are several types of courses available, but an online CPO certification is by far the easiest and most convenient to complete.
When you sign up for our Virtual CPO Class, you’re already one step ahead. Our course is offered 100% online, and we even have immediate classes if your schedule requires you to start now. In fact, we offer classes every week, so you’re free to find a time that works for you.
The price of the course is $350. Let’s break down what this cost includes.
First Part: Self-Paced E-Learning Course
Once you purchase the course from our website, we’ll immediately mail you a hard copy of the CPO Handbook. Then, we’ll give you access to the first part of our online course. This is a self-paced, e-learning portion that includes around eight to 10 hours of material.
Once you enroll, you’re free to work at your own pace. If you work full-time, this means you can watch the videos and complete the coursework in the evenings or on weekends. You don’t have to cut into your personal time to achieve professional success.
Second Part: Zoom Review
Once you complete the first part of our Virtual CPO Class, it’s time for us to meet! We’ll reach out to help you schedule a Zoom class with our instructor, as well as a few other students who are on the same track as you. This is a review course that reiterates the topics in your self-paced module and provides additional exam-related insight.
The small class size means you get more one-on-one attention, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions or clarify tricky points. The Zoom course will take around five hours.
We’ll cover the most important areas of the CPO Handbook, and cover all of the information you need to know to pass the final exam.
Third Part: Final Exam
Immediately following the Zoom review, you’ll receive immediate access to your final CPO Exam. Your instructor will proctor you throughout the entire process.
The open-book, open-note exam contains 50 multiple-choice questions and you’ll have up to three hours to complete it. Once you pass it with a grade of 75% or higher, you’re certified! Your certification will be valid for five years after the date you passed the exam.
Additional Fee: Florida Residents
The $350 fee covers everything we described, including all three parts of the exam and exam prep. The only other fee applies to Florida residents.
The State of Florida Health Department requires us to use a third-party proctoring service called People Cert to proctor your exam (not our instructor). To arrange this service, we charge an additional $20 fee.
You’ll still complete all three parts as described above. The only exception is you’ll schedule your exam date and time with People Cert.
Before your test day, you’ll re-enter our website and click on “Open Portal” to connect to the People Cert registration page. Here, you can set up your security profile and make sure your computer has the requisite compatibility.
On the day of testing, you’ll go to the same page. Re-enter the registration page and click “Start Assessment” to begin the exam.
Pursue Your CPO Certification Today
Pursuing your CPO certification online is a smart step toward a successful career. The best part? It’s more accessible and affordable than you might think.
When you partner with us, you’ll have a one-time CPO certification cost of $350, with a minimal upcharge for Florida residents. This covers all of your coursework, the CPO Handbook, individualized support, and proctoring services.
We’re proud of our program, and we guarantee it’s the lowest around. If you find a program that offers the same resources for less, let us know. We’ll not only match it — we’ll beat it. Register today to get started!