Certified Pool Operator (CPO) Frequently Asked Questions

Our process for getting your Certified Pool Operator Certification can be completed in a few steps and as little as two days:

1. Sign up for a Same Day Zoom Review Class & Exam Date
2. Complete the Online/E-Learning Course (POP) at Your Own Pace (approximately 8 - 10 hours) Before Your Review Class/Exam Date
3. Take Your Zoom Review Class and CPO Exam with a Certified CPO Instructor - Chad Bland
4. Receive Your Certification - receive electronic copy access THE SAME DAY and a paper certification in the mail within the month

Materials Required for Online CPO Certification

• Computer with Internet Access
• Webcam with Mic (Cell Phone with Camera and Access to Zoom acceptable)
• Writing Materials: Pencil, Pens, Notebook
• Calculator

Pool Certs Provided CPO Certification Materials

• Online/E-Learning (POP) Access Code through PHTA
• CPO Online Handbook
• CPO Pool Math Workbook
• Physical CPO Handbook - regarded as the single most important resource for the recreational water industry (received 2 - 10 days after registration)
• Coming Soon! Pool Cert Test Prep

Upon registration, students will receive instructions on how to access the E-Learning/Online course (POP) and instructions on how to log in via the webpage of the PHTA - the administering body of the CPO Certification. 

Students should expect to receive communications from Pool Certs during the week leading up to the exam regarding E-Learning/Online Course (POP) completion reminders, scheduled Zoom Review Class/Exam date reminders, Zoom details, Exam details and instructions. 

The team at Pool Certs is happy to answer any questions and can be reached via email at chad@poolcerts.com

The Pool Certs CPO Certification course is completed in a few steps in as little as two days. The first step is the completion of the CPO E-Learning/Online Course (POP) which is 8-10 hours of self paced learning. The next step is the attendance of a one-day CPO Certified Instructor led Zoom Review Class and Exam.* 

The Pool Certs Online CPO Certification Course ( E-Learning/Online Course [POP] + Zoom Review Class + Exam) is $350 per registered student*. This includes shipping and handling of the full color CPO Handbook, individual access code to the online learning module, and exam and processing fees. Additional proctoring fee for Florida students, as required by Florida. 

*Pool Certs operates out of California and is unable to proctor the exam to Florida students. Florida requires use of Florida based proctoring services. Additional fees apply and Zoom Review date may be different than Exam date.

The CPO Certification E-Learning/Online Course (POP) is an online training course that covers all 18 chapters in the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance Pool & Spa Operator™ Handbook.  

There are 8 online lessons associated with the CPO® Certification course, with a quiz at the end of each lesson (an 80% score is required to move to the next lesson, otherwise you have to review material again and retake the quiz). 

You can access the course until it is completed

Copy of the CPO handbook is provided as an e-book, a hardcopy is included in course fee. Additional copies may be ordered here. 

Once you complete the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion required to attend the Zoom Review Class/Exam. Please e-mail this course completion certificate to chad@poolcerts.com prior to your Zoom Review Class/Exam date.

Once you have purchased the CPO Certification Course through Pool Certs, you will receive an email with your login credentials within 24 hours (during business operating hours) and directions to access the CPO Certification E-Learning/Online (POP) course.

Instructions on how to start the CPO Certification E-Learning/Online Course (POP) (also found in an email from Pool Certs)

1. To access your training please go to: www.phta.org 
2. Once you are at the training site, please click the login button in the upper right hand corner.
3. Enter username and password that were provided in the email from PHTA.
4. Once logged in, please click on the Education Tab in the upper right hand corner.
5. You then will be taken to your Education Portal where you can access the CPO E-Learning/Online Course (POP).
6. You can access the course until it is completed
7. Once you complete the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion required to attend the Zoom Review Class/Exam (please e-mail this to chad@poolcerts.com prior to your Zoom Review Class/Exam date)

We are so sorry you're having issues with the E-Learning/Online course (POP). Unfortunately, the PHTA created the E-Learning/Online Course (POP) and requires that we use it exclusively for online CPO Certification. PHTA is responsible for managing any issues with the video series.

Please reach out to service@phta.org at PHTA with any issues you have with the CPO E-Learning/Online Course (POP).

Sending us a copy of your certificate of completion allows us to verify that you have completed the required 8-10 hour E-Learning/Online course (POP) needed to attend the Zoom Review Class and sit for the Exam. 

Email us your Certificate of Course Completion: chad@poolcerts.com

Per PHTA® requirements, students must complete this E-Learning/Online Course (POP) before joining a review class, which is a requirement before taking the CPO Certification Exam. 

Students who do not complete the E-Learning/Online course (POP) before their scheduled Zoom Review Class/Exam date will not be allowed into the Zoom Review Class/Exam.

• Unless previously rescheduled, students will be automatically moved to the next available Zoom Review Class/Exam date.
• Two automatic reschedules are allowed before the student is placed on a hold and is will need to reach out to Pool Certs to schedule a Zoom Review Class/Exam date.

Upon registration, students will receive instructions on how to access the E-Learning/Online course (POP) and instructions on how to log in via the webpage of the PHTA - the administering body of the CPO Certification. 

Students should expect to receive communications from Pool Certs during the week leading up to the exam regarding E-Learning/Online Course (POP) completion reminders, scheduled Zoom Review Class/Exam date reminders, Zoom details, Exam details and instructions. 

The Pool Certs Online CPO Certification Course ( E-Learning/Online Course [POP] + Zoom Review Class + Exam) is $350 per registered student*. This includes shipping and handling of the full color CPO Handbook, individual access code to the online learning module, and exam and processing fees. Additional proctoring fee for Florida students, as required by Florida. 

*Pool Certs operates out of California and is unable to proctor the exam to Florida students. Florida requires use of Florida based proctoring services. Additional fees apply and Zoom Review date may be different than Exam date.

The team at Pool Certs is happy to answer any questions and can be reached via email at chad@poolcerts.com

We send out a registration confirmation email within 24 hours of signing up during business hours. Orders are processed in the order they are received, high volume may delay our processing times, but will not exceed 48 hours. 

If you have not received email communications from us after 24 hours, please contact us at: chad@poolcerts.com

The Online CPO Certification Course (E-Learning/Online Course [POP]+ Zoom Review Class + Exam) is $350* per registered student. This includes shipping and handling of the full color CPO Handbook, individual access code to the online learning module, and exam and processing fees.

*Florida requires a Florida based proctor for the CPO Certification exam, therefore Florida students are subject to an additional proctor fee ($20).

When purchasing the Pool Certs Online CPO Certification course you will receive an initial confirmation email that is auto generated from our website's e-commerce platform, Shopify. This email may act as your receipt for your Online CPO Certification Course. 

For a more formal receipt, please email us.

Additionally, when purchasing your Online CPO Re-Certification, your initial confirmation email (autogenerated by Shopify), will act as your receipt for your CPO Re-Certification.

Nope! We understand that you have to fulfill certain information that matches the credit card used.

After ordering, a follow up email will be sent that asks you to verify the students who will be completing the course and exam.* Please use this form to provide information** for multiple students purchased in the same order.

We will use the student’s contact information for email communications regarding his or her course. 

*Each CPO Certification Course is $350.

**Emails are used as identifiers in the PHTA national database, we recommend avoiding the use of generic emails (info@, gm@, maintenance@, etc.)

Pool Certs is a provider for the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance's (PHTA) CPO Certitfication course. The CPO E-Learning/Online course (POP) is created and managed by the PHTA - they will be the one to contact you about your login information for the video module series (Pool Operator Primer - POP). 

The APSP (Association of Pool and Spa Professionals) merged with the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) in the past few years and the two organizations created the PHTA.  As a result, you may from time to time get an email with an APSP address.

Be sure to check your junk or spam folder to see if there are any APSP or PHTA messages that have been sent there.

If your state isn't listed on our online class dates page, your state has not approved online delivery of the CPO Certification Course.

We're sorry for the inconvenience. We highly encourage you to reach out to your health department and request that they begin allowing online delivery. 

Additionally, please refer to your state's page on our Pool Certs website to check for additional requirements or restrictions.

Payment is due upon purchasing the Zoom Review Class/Exam date. For special purchase orders, please contact Pool Certs at chad@poolcerts.com 

Yes – please contact us for details at chad@poolcerts.com 

Please be advised that official CPO Certifications may be delayed until payment is received.

You can request a copy of our W-9 by emailing us at chad@poolcerts.com 

Checks are made payable to Pool Certs, please contact us directly for more information on how to pay by check:  chad@poolcerts.com 

If you would like to reschedule your Zoom Review Class/Exam date, please complete the Reschedule Request Form. Your request will be automatically approved and your review/exam date will be moved - you won't receive a confirmation email. We will only reach out to you if the date requested is unavailable.  

There is no additional cost to reschedule, however after three re-schedules you will be placed on a hold and will need to reach out to Pool Certs to reschedule your Zoom Review Class/Exam. 

Additionally, students are automatically rescheduled to the next Zoom Review Class/Exam date if they fail to provide Pool Certs their E-Learning/Online Course (POP) Completion Certificate by their original Zoom Review Class/Exam date. This process is done TWICE before the student is placed on a hold and will need to reach out to Pool Certs to reschedule the Zoom Review Class/Exam.

If the registered student does not submit their E-Learning/Online course (POP) completion certificate by the start of the Zoom Review Class/Exam date, the student is automatically rescheduled for the next Zoom Review Class/Exam date.

• Automatic rescheduling is done twice before the student is placed on a Zoom Review Class/Exam date hold - at which point the registered student must reach out to Pool Certs to reschedule a Zoom Review Class/Exam date. 

The Zoom Review Class/Exam is structured to offer a comprehensive summary of key elements students are expected to understand, thus preparing them for the exam. The exam shortly follows the review and consists of 50 multiple choice questions that a student may take up to 3 hours to complete. We understand that emergencies and unforeseen circumstances arise, and should a student not take the exam* after completing the review, they will need to reschedule the proctored exam with Pool Certs. 

*Florida students may attend the Zoom Review Class and sit for the Exam on separate days, as per Florida special rules and guidelines.

You may transfer/reschedule to a future Zoom Review Class/Exam date for no additional fee. Please complete the Reschedule Request Form to move your review class/exam date. 

A transfer of the CPO Certification Course depends on the PHTA, they will need to manually transfer/register the new student. Transfers are more likely if the E-Learning/Online course (POP) has not been started.

We seek to be as accommodating as possible, please allow 48 hours for us to complete your request. Please email us at chad@poolcerts.com to get this process started. Please be advised transferred courses do not include a new hardcopy of the CPO Handbook, and that additional processing fees may be apply.

You may cancel your Pool Certs CPO Certification course at any time, however we can only offer partial refunds, as some costs have already been incurred and are non-refundable. We have to check with the PHTA on what of their costs we might be able to recoup.  

Alternative Options: Transfer the CPO Certification Course to another student (restrictions apply) or re-schedule the current student’s Zoom Review Class/Exam to a future date (at no additional fee)

If you still wish to cancel your CPO Certification Course please email us: chad@poolcerts.com

Please email us regarding a refund, as it is evaluated on a case by case basis. 

Please be advised that we are only able to offer partial refunds as non-refundable costs  have been incurred. 

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Zoom Review Classes/Exams are generally offered every Friday from 

• 7 am - 3 pm Pacific  
• 8 am - 4 pm Mountain 
• 9 am - 5 pm Central 
• 10 am - 6 pm Eastern
• 4 am - 12 pm Hawaii

Includes both the Review and the start of the Exam*. It is a full day - please plan accordingly. 

Currently Zoom Review Classes/Exams are scheduled two months (8 weeks) from today, if you require a Friday farther from the dates listed, please make a note during online checkout (“Message to the Seller”). Additionally, students may request to reschedule for future dates once registration is completed. 

Please keep in mind that we start processing your registration within 24 hours of your order during business hours, orders placed outside of those hours will be processed the following business day. 

Self-Paced E-Learning/Online Course (POP) takes students on average 8 - 10 hours to complete, allowing students to break it up to fit within their schedule and learning pace. It is beneficial to give yourself more time to complete the E-Learning/Online course (POP) and, if necessary, reschedule your Zoom Review Class/Exam earlier if you are ready. 

*Florida students, your Zoom Review and Exam date may differ, as Florida rules require a Florida proctoring organization. You will be provided instructions on scheduling your exam date when we receive your E-Learning/Online Course (POP) Completion Certificate. We recommend scheduling your exam after the review concludes. 

Delivered in an online classroom setting, expect lecture with visual aids - such as Power Point, practical applications of learned material through discussion or personal experience from the CPO Instructor. We encourage students to participate in the Zoom Review Class by asking questions and providing their own unique experiences with the learned material. 

Chad Bland, Pool Certs CPO Certified Instructor, will lead lecture and discussion highlighting key information - answering students’ questions and concerns.

The CPO Handbook, provided by Pool Certs in an online format (available immediately) and a mailed physical copy,  is a textbook that includes the most complete and current information available. It is helpful to review the textbook before the Zoom Review Class. It may serve as a valuable reference during the CPO E-Learning/Online course (POP). 

Textbooks ship promptly upon enrollment and generally arrive between 2-10 days (dependent upon shipping method). Please provide the registered student’s shipping address for expedient access to the physical CPO Handbook. 

The Zoom Review Class will highlight the key elements that students may be asked during the exam.

Pool Certs Test Prep - Coming Soon!

You must bring

• Photo ID
• Calculator
• Writing materials (pens, pencils, paper)
• CPO Handbook
• CPO Pool Math Workbook (printout)
• Your notes from the E-Learning/Online Course (POP). 

Please provide Pool Certs with your E-Learning/Online Course (POP) Completion Certification before the Zoom Review Class/Exam date. Send completion certificate to chad@poolcerts.com.

E-Learning/Online Course (POP) completion is required to attend the Zoom Review Class and to sit for the Exam. 

There is one review class session that starts at a set time, based on your location: 

• 7 am - 3 pm Pacific  
• 8 am - 4 pm Mountain 
• 9 am - 5 pm Central 
• 10 am - 6 pm Eastern
• 4 am - 12 pm Hawaii

These hours encompass both the 5 hour Zoom Review Class led by a Certified CPO Instructor and the start of the 3 hour Multiple Choice Exam with breaks built in. Once you are done with your exam, you may leave the Zoom.

Within 24 hours of registration (during business operating hours), registered students should receive an email with their E-Learning/Online course (POP) access code through PHTA, CPO Pool Math Workbook, CPO Online Handbook, access to Pool Certs CPO Certification Test Prep (Coming in Spring 2024!)

In the mail, registered students will receive a physical copy of the CPO Handbook. 

Zoom Review Class details are emailed to students the Wednesday before the Friday Zoom Review Class/Exam date.

If your computer doesn't have audio or video abilities for the sake of the Zoom Review Class/Exam, you can join the Zoom Review Class/Exam using your cell phone as long as it has a camera and microphone.

ACCEPTABLE DEVICES Required for Zoom Review / Exam:

• Device - computer or laptop with video and microphone capabilities
• OR 2 Devices - one with video and microphone capabilities + one to take test
• Tablets and phones may be used for Zoom - but require an additional device (2 devices total). Zoom is not to be closed out or navigated away from (on one device) - the video turns off and is required for testing
• Computers or laptops must have video and microphone capabilities, if the computer/laptop does not, another device with video and microphone capabilities is required
• Many laptops and computers have calculator apps that may be used during the test

Check out this YouTube tutorial on How to Join a Meeting Using Zoom

The Pool Certs Zoom CPO Certification exam is proctored by a Certified CPO Instructor and  is a three-hour open book, open note exam. It consists of 50 multiple choice, true and false, and a pool calculation section. You need 74% to pass*.

*South Carolina - requires students to pass both the CPO Certification test with a 74% passing score (37 correct answers) and a South Carolina specific exam with a 75% passing score (15 correct answers).

Our Pool Certs CPO Test Prep  - Coming Soon - will feature  study aides.

No worries! You simply have to pay a $30 exam fee  and take the exam again during one of our future review class/exam dates - offered every Friday. 

You are eligible to re-take the exam as soon as 24 hours after the first exam. C

There are no limits to retesting. 

Florida students - $50 exam fee acoomodates for a new exam code and the Florida required third proctor. Once the fee is paid, a new exam code will be issued and the student can reschedule the exam according to the proctor and student's availability and convenience.

Our Pool Certs CPO Test Prep - Coming Soon - will feature study aides to assist in your CPO Certification studies. 

If you complete the CPO E-Learning/Online course (POP), where you must score 80%+ on section quizzes to move forward to the next section, pay attention during the Zoom Review Class, and take notes, there's a high chance you will pass the open book/open note exam. 

A re-take CPO exam can be scheduled for $30 for a future Zoom Review Class/Date (offered on Fridays) - private proctored re-take  exams (non-Fridays exams) may be scheduled for $60 per student (dependent on the availability of the student and the proctor). Please reach out to us - chad@poolcerts.com to schedule a re-take exam.

When the exam period is complete, passing students will receive an email from the PHTA (usually within 24 hours), granting access to the PHTA portal where certificates can be printed immediately.

You will continue to receive communication through PHTA regarding physical documentation of your certification. Hardcopy of the CPO Certificates are mailed the following month after passing. (E.g if you pass September 1, your certificate will be mailed in the month of October). 

If you have trouble locating your hardcopy of your CPO Certification please reach out to the PHTA - service@phta.org, (703) 838-0083 (Virginia), (719) 540-9119 (Colorado).

Certifications are maintained by the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), you should have received a digital copy in your emails - be sure to check the SPAM/Junk folder. 

For Pool Certs students, we may have access to your digital CPO Certification, please search your email, then reach out to us for assistance - chad@poolcerts.com.

If you are not a Pool Certs student, please reach out to the PHTA - service@phta.org, or visit their page on how to Replace Your CPO Certificate.

The certification is good for five years* and is a national certification, which means you can use your CPO® Certification in any state that it is accepted and required.

Pool Certs also offers CPO Recertification, please visit our CPO Recertification page to recertify your CPO Certification.

*Massachusetts acknowledges the CPO Certification for THREE years.

To recertify your Certified Pool Operation Certification, you simply need to register on our CPO Recertification page (providing us a copy of your current CPO Certification) take the Zoom Review Class - a “Refresher Course” - and CPO Exam

We will confirm your CPO Certification and process your registration for your Recertification Zoom Refresher Class/Exam Date. You will not be required to complete the E-Learning/Online (POP) course, but simply attend the Zoom Refresher Class/Exam Date*.

*Florida students may attend the Zoom Review Class and sit for the Exam on separate days, as per Florida special rules and guidelines.

We advise that you recertify before your CPO Certification expires. If you are unable to recertify your CPO Certification before the expiration date, you will be required to complete the entire CPO Certification course - 8-10 hour self paced E-Learning/Online Course (POP), Zoom Review Class/Exam. 

*Florida students may attend the Zoom Review Class and sit for the Exam on separate days, as per Florida special rules and guidelines.

If you schedule and pass your recertification CPO Certification exam before the expiration date, it should take one day to complete the Zoom Refresher Class and Exam with Pool Certs. 

Students who do not pass the recertification CPO Certification exam by the expiration date will be required to complete the entire CPO Certification Course (E-Learning/Online Course [POP], Zoom Review Class/Exam) which can be completed in a few as two days, where one of those days is a Friday on Zoom. 

*Florida students may attend the Zoom Review/Refresher Class and sit for the Exam on separate days, as per Florida special rules and guidelines.

To recertify your CPO Certification with Pool Certs non-expired CPOs simply need to sit for the same day Zoom Review Class and Exam - offered every Friday.

Please visit our CPO Recertification page and register for a Zoom Refresher Class/Exam Date. To process your registration we will need a copy of your current CPO Certification, that can be provided during registration.  

*Florida students may attend the Zoom Review Class and sit for the Exam on separate days, as per Florida special rules and guidelines.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions: chad@poolcerts.com

The process for registering for a recertification Zoom Review Class/Exam is similar to other states, with the added layer of scheduling the CPO Certification exam with the approved proctoring service.

We require that you schedule the exam for a date and time after the completion of your Zoom Refresher Class (typically concludes at 3 pm EST local time). Upon registering for your CPO Recertification through Pool Certs, we will provide you instructions on how to schedule your Florida proctored exam.

The State of Florida Health Department requires that all Florida students use a third party proctoring service. Pool Certs uses Prometric - the PHTA and Florida approved proctoring service that offers both remote proctoring and “in person” options. The extra fee covers the cost of the outside proctoring service.

When you register to take your CPO Certification with Pool Certs, you just need to complete the E-Learning/Online Course (POP) at your own pace, attend the Zoom Review Class and schedule your exam (to be taken after the review/refresher) at your convenience. 

Pool Certs will provide instructions on how to schedule your Florida exam.

Pool Certs will provide you with scheduling instructions when we receive your E-Learning/Online Course (POP) Certification of Completion. We require that you schedule your exam after the Zoom Review Class date, you may schedule the exam the same day as your review (for a time after the mandatory review). 

Please reach out to us with any questions: chad@poolcerts.com

Yes. We require that you just schedule your Florida CPO Certification Exam after the Pool Certs Zoom Review (for example, the review ends around 3 pm EST, the test may be scheduled for 4 pm EST the same day). Further instructions will be provided after we receive your E-Learning/Online Course (POP) Certificate of Completion.

We’re sorry you’re having issues, we will reach out to the national organization - PHTA - and the Florida proctoring service - Prometric - on your behalf to resolve the issue. Please contact us - chad@poolcerts.com.

The South Carolina CPO Certification exam has an additional 20 questions that are specific to South Carolina Rules and Regulations put forth by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. These questions are based on Regulation 61 - 51 Public Swimming Pools.

In order to pass the CPO Certification Exam for the state of South Carolina, students woll have to achieve a passing score of 74% (37 correct answers) on the CPO Exam and 75% (15 correct answers) on the South Carolina state exam.

Our Certified CPO Instructor - Chad Bland - will highlight South Carolina specific regulations in the Zoom Review Class.

Yes. After your class is complete, you will receive an emailed survey and CEU request form from the PHTA. Their office can help you submit this form for CEU’s. 

*Florida requires a Florida based proctor for the CPO Certification exam, therefore Florida students are subject to an additional proctor fee ($20).

Register Here