Aquatic Research & Consulting

CPO Certification Course

Why you need Certified Training Program for Pool/Spa Operators

Over the years, thousands of men and women have qualified as swimming pool and spa operators through the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance. Now PHTA, through updated and improved training, certifies those who pass the course as Certified Pool/Spa Operators (CPO) and gives them a permanent registration number.

The CPO seal of approval is assurance to pool and spa owners, from motels to Olympic size municipal and college pools that their facilities and their swimmers are under the supervision of trained professionals. The CPO is trained in the most advanced techniques in safety, water chemistry, maintenance, and management.

The rapid advances in know-how and technology of pool operation require constant honing of skills. With upward of 7.5 million pools of all types now in virtual daily use by millions of people, the need for qualified operators is greater than ever. And the need will continue to grow. Anyone supervising the operation of any kind of pool has life and health guarding responsibility. They must keep the facility in good operational order and operate it efficiently and maintain the equipment. Only an individual with suitable training and experience is qualified to meet such responsibilities and required in Wisconsin for water attraction facilities.

As designed by the foundation’s consulting specialists, this certification program provides standardized instructional literature and visual aids of immediate value to all pool operators. With the adoption of the Wisconsin Department of Health Regulations, the PHTA is the required level of training.

2 Day in person Instructor Class

This CPO class is ideal for the Novice Pool Operator, even the old timers and Pros take the in-person class due to the interaction with the instructor. Nothing can replace the one on one teaching coming from an experienced operator that has taught thousands of students over the last 25+ years. In person classes have props, equipment, and demonstrations to get the student involved. Also has more focus on calculations and handouts that can be used to help with the exam. This is the most popular class, has the most hands on, and personal attention and of course takes the most time. CPO Book is handed out at class.

THE CPO BOOK - The textbook for the course is the pool/spa operator handbook, an invaluable resource and reference for the novice and the professional who must troubleshoot on a broad spectrum of functional problems. In short, every pool operator should have one.

CPO CERTIFICATES - After successful completion of the course, graduates will receive a certificate suitable for framing. This includes their personal CPO registration number, which is recorded by the National Swimming Pool Foundation. This is your Legal Document to operate your water attraction

facilities.

CPO WALLET CARD - A wallet card will be Emailed along with the certificate to print. The card, a miniature version of the certificate, also carries the graduate’s personal registration number.

Classes Start Each Day 8 am – 5 pm

Students are to bring: pencil/pen and note paper, calculator (cell phone calculator cannot be used), high-lighter, post it notes - We recommend to bring your Pool water test kit (1 test kit per group of people if sending more than one attendee is sufficient).

Blended Primer-Fusion Program

"Fusion Day" is the last day of Scheduled 2-day program

The CPO student Registers with ARC just like the 2-day program. The CPO Book is mailed to the student (please use the students Home Address, Personal Phone Number and Personal Email Address) on Registration form to ensure the shipping of materials; the student takes the Primer On-Line program at your own pace (must be completed in 6 months of Registration). The student then joins the 2 nd day only of a scheduled CPO class called “Fusion”. The Fusion is where the Online and classroom courses come together, and the CPO exam is taken.

NEW ZOOM VIRTUAL OPTION: We have added a Zoom Virtual Fusion class schedule, the student now can also take the Fusion class at a scheduled Zoom Virtual Fusion Day along with the Exam Online. The only requirement is the student MUST have a Computer with Speakers / Mic / Camera and register at least 14 days before the class - No Exceptions. CPO Book is mailed to student – Please use students Home address, Personal email, and Phone number when registering for this class to ensure proper mailing of materials and emailing of exam codes

THE CPO BOOK - The textbook for the course is the pool/spa operator handbook, an invaluable resource and reference for the novice and the professional who must troubleshoot on a broad spectrum of functional problems. In short, every pool operator should have one.

CPO CERTIFICATES - After successful completion of the course, graduates will receive a certificate suitable for framing. This includes their personal CPO registration number, which is recorded by the National Swimming Pool Foundation. This is your Legal Document to operate your water attraction facilities.

CPO WALLET CARD - A wallet card will be Emailed along with the certificate to print. The card, a miniature version of the certificate, also carries the graduate’s personal registration number.

Classes Start at 8 am – 5 pm

Students are to bring: pencil/pen and note paper, calculator (cell phone calculator cannot be used), high-lighter, post it notes - We recommend to bring your Pool water test kit (1 test kit per group of people if sending more than one attendee is sufficient).

NEW ZOOM VIRTUAL OPTION: Online Re-certification Exam:

Exam starts at 8 AM for ZOOM VIRTUAL online exams and an email will be sent with the exam codes.

We have added a new ZOOM VIRTUAL option whereas you may take the exam at any scheduled ZOOM VIRTUAL Fusion class, the only requirement is that you MUST have a Computer with Speakers / Mic / Camera to take the exam, and you register at least 14 days before the scheduled class – No Exceptions.

The student should use Home Address, Personal Phone Number and Personal Email Address on Registration form to ensure that exam codes are registered correctly and received timely.

CPO CERTIFICATES - After successful completion of the course, graduates will receive a certificate suitable for framing. This includes their personal CPO registration number, which is recorded by the National Swimming Pool Foundation. This is your Legal Document to operate your water attraction facilities.

CPO WALLET CARD - A wallet card will be Emailed along with the certificate to print. The card, a miniature version of the certificate, also carries the graduate’s personal registration number.

Dates and Locations

Milwaukee, WI Area - Sept 26-27, 2024

Comfort Suites, MKE Airport, 6362 South 13th Street , Oak Creek, WI (414) 376-4284

Appleton, WI Area - Oct 24-25, 2024

Hilton, Paper Valley Hotel 333 W. College Ave, Appleton, WI (920) 733-8000

Kenosha/Racine, WI - Nov 7-8, 2024

Wyndham Garden Hotel, 5125 6th Street, Kenosha, WI (262) 658-3281

Register

Two Day Classroom Program $375

Blended Primer-Fusion Program $395

To register online click Register

You can also print the Registration Form and mail the form with check payment and save $25 per person.

Your Instructor

Scott is CEO of Aquatic Research & Consulting since 1995. ARC specializes in education for the commercial pool & spa industry. ARC investigates, analyzes and determines pool and spa issues and offer solutions to water quality problems. A wide variety of training and educational seminars are available that help staff and managers run facilities efficiently. Scott leads the industry in CPO training with a 99.2 pass ratio.

Scott is well respected by his peers in the Aquatic Industry, educating most all State of Wisconsin Inspectors in the CPO course, the people that inspect your pools and spas. Scott has participated on the State of Wisconsin Advisory Board for the Administrative Code. Scott is an active member in the CPOI (Certified Pool Operator Inspector) training as well.

Prior to starting ARC, Scott initiated Valley Chemical Inc. serving the commercial pool & spa industry since 1992 as operations manager. Scott’s education from Truman University and experience starts over 25 years ago, working with the PHTA as a lead instructor in CPO training's, also as an AFO instructor. Scott leads his companies like he teaches – down to earth – layman terms – understandable examples with precision and integrity.