How To Get A CPO License: A Guide to CPO Certification
Introduction to CPO Certification
The Certified Pool Operator (CPO) certification is recognized as the gold standard in the aquatics industry for pool and spa operator education. Earning your CPO certification demonstrates your commitment to maintaining safe and healthy aquatic environments, whether you manage swimming pools, spas, or both. This prestigious credential, offered through the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), equips pool operators with essential knowledge in key safety regulations, water chemistry, and chemical testing. As a certified pool operator, you’ll gain the skills needed to ensure proper maintenance and operation of pools and spas, helping to protect public health and meet industry standards. The CPO certification program is designed for anyone responsible for the daily management of aquatic environments, making it a must-have for professionals in the pool and spa industry.
👉 For a deeper overview of what CPO certification covers, check out our Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Certified Pool Operator (CPO).
How Do I Get My CPO Certification?
Receiving your CPO Certification is simple and the award-winning instructors at Pool Training Academy are ready to help you! Read below to get a quick overview of what receiving your Certified Pool Operator Certification entails.
The CPO course covers a wide range of topics, including pool safety protocols, compliance with local regulations and national standards, and effective spa management.
After passing the exam, upon successful completion of the course and exam, you’ll earn your CPO certification, which is valid for five years.
👉 Need help preparing for the test? See our guide on How to Study and Pass the CPO Exam.
CPO Certification Requirements
To become a Certified Pool Operator, you’ll need to complete a CPO certification course and successfully pass the CPO exam. The CPO course covers a wide range of topics, including pool safety protocols, compliance with local and national regulations, and effective spa management. This comprehensive training program is designed to give students the management skills and technical knowledge required to operate pools and spas safely and efficiently. After passing the exam, you’ll earn your CPO certification, which is valid for five years. To maintain your certified status, continuing education is required, ensuring you stay up-to-date with the latest industry standards and best practices. The CPO certification program is approved by the National Environmental Health Association and awards 16 Continuing Education Credits (CEUs), making it a valuable credential for pool operators and spa professionals alike.
👉 Want to know what happens after your certification expires? Here’s our article on CPO Renewal Requirements.
Getting CPO Certified
Getting your NSPF/PHTA Certified Pool Operator Certification is easy! Here is the most common way students complete the course:
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Sign up and complete your registration for a fully online CPO Certification class that is convenient and easy, requiring only a computer and internet access
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Watch the engaging self-paced video module series at your convenience
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Join your award-winning instructor for a Zoom Meeting & Then Take The Exam! The review session and exam are conducted live via Zoom.
There are other options if sitting through a 2-day course isn’t for you!
CPO Courses In-Person
Some operators prefer a traditional classroom setting, with scheduled classes held on specific days. We are proud to still offer select in-person options for groups. We offer our in-person classes in a variety of convenient class dates and can even come to your location, so you can get your team scheduled for the days that best fit your availability.
Getting Your CPO Certificate
Once you have completed the course online or in-class and achieved successful completion of all requirements, you will take the CPO Exam.
After you have passed the CPO exam, you will be issued an electronic CPO certificate that can also be printed as a hard copy for your records. You will receive your CPO Certification.
Choosing The Right CPO Instructors
Getting CPO Certified is actually quite easy if you’re taking the course from the right teachers! The information can get technical at times, so it’s important you select a class that knows how to make the information easy to understand. The Pool Training Academy has one of the highest pass-rates of any of the CPO schools in the USA - and our students come out of the class with not JUST a certification, but a true understanding of how their pools work, how to keep them running efficiently and safely, and most importantly - an education that can help them for years to come! Our courses are led by award-winning instructors who are certified through the PHTA with extensive experience.
You can sign up here to attend one of Pool Training Academy’s Certified Pool Operator (CPO) courses taught by one of our Award-winning CPO (Certified Pool Operator) Instructors. Each of our CPO instructors is dedicated to supporting your professional development and enhancing your professional credibility in the aquatics industry.
The Best CPO Certification Program
Pool Training Academy offers an award-winning CPO classroom experience that is like NO OTHER certified pool operator course offered anywhere else! Most courses are boring, hard to understand and, unfortunately, their goal is to just get you to pass the test, whether you learn anything or not. Our hands-on program couldn’t me more different!
With Pool Training Academy you will be immersed in a fun and engaging course, ensuring each student is thoroughly trained in all aspects of pool and spa operation. This course is personally designed and some of our instructors have taught the course for nearly 40 years!
But it isn’t just dry or boring book learning. Our award-winning instructors will guide you through the certification program while offering advice and expertise in all aspects of pool operation management, and providing a comprehensive review session to reinforce key concepts before the exam.
We aren’t just educators - we have been working in the pool industry in every way for decades and understand the real struggles associate with maintaining a safe, profitable, and professional pool.
We guarantee you won’t find a better CPO class anywhere! Just see what some of our past students are saying about Pool Training Academy.
Where Can I Attend A Certified Pool Operator Course?
Certified Pool Operator courses are available in a variety of formats to fit your needs, including in-person classes and online courses. The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) maintains a list of approved CPO course providers, making it easy to find a certified pool operator course near you. Many community colleges, universities, and private training organizations offer CPO courses, and some local health departments or aquatic facilities may also provide recommendations or host classes. Whether you prefer the hands-on experience of an in-person class or the flexibility of an online course, you can choose the training method that best matches your schedule and learning style. Just be sure to select a course that is approved by the PHTA to ensure it meets all certification requirements and provides the quality training you need to succeed as a pool operator.
👉 Want to compare training paths? See our article on CPO vs. Other Pool Certifications.
How much does CPO Certification Cost?
A Certified Pool Operator Course through Pool Training Academy can cost as little as $350.00. This price can fluctuate whether you choose to attend an online course or one in person. The price includes a copy of the Pool Operator Handbook, a 2-day in-class course or online learning module access, our Pool Training Academy math workbook, the Pool Training Academy Field Guide, and certification fee.
Please note that prices do vary by location and class type.
A Certified Pool Operator (CPO) certification through Pool Training Academy is one of the most affordable courses in the United States and is guaranteed to be the best aquatics education in the country as well. Our NSPF/PHTA Certified CPO Instructors are the highest awarded instructors in the US and focus on making education fun, engaging, stimulating, and most importantly applicable to the operator.
If you are interested in signing up for an award winning Pool Training Academy CPO (Certified Pool Operator) Course, it is as easy as clicking here.
We're Here To Help!
We hope that this has helped you understand what steps you'll need to follow to get CPO certified! Of course, if you have any questions, we are always here to help!
You can email us your questions to alex@pooltrainingacademy.com or call us anytime at 970-388-6046! We are here to help!
👉 Still exploring? Don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to CPO Certification for everything you need to know.
✅ Next Step: Sign up for your CPO Certification Course today with Pool Training Academy’s award-winning instructors.
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