Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is this Certified Pool Operator (CPO) class accredited in my area?
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (formerly National Swimming Pool Foundation) Certified Pool Operator (CPO) certification is accredited across Canada, the USA and 105 countries around the world. Please refer to your location below to confirm accreditation -
Canada
Alberta: meets training standard
British Columbia: meets training standard (Part 3 - 1, p.18)
Manitoba: exceeds - no training standard
New Brunswick: no training standard, pools not regulated
Newfoundland & Labrador: exceeds - no training standard
Nova Scotia: meets training standard (Appendix 2)
Nunavut & Northwest Territories: exceeds - no training standard
Ontario: meets training standard (Section 6-2)
Prince Edward Island: exceeds - no training standard
Quebec: exceeds - no training standard
Saskatchewan: meets training standard (approval granted in 2022)
Yukon: exceeds - no training standard
USA: approval list (current as of July 14, 2023)
Can I complete the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) Certified Pool Operator (CPO) class entirely online?
Yes! As of April 2020, the CPO class was accredited by the different Canadian provinces to be delivered online via live instruction in a Zoom meeting. Live attendance on Zoom in real time is required by all participants (no recordings). The CPO certificate issued at the end of the course is exactly the same as an in-person class.
How does the online Zoom CPO class work?
Live attendance on Zoom is required by all class participants. Classes are capped at 25 people. The class is a dynamic learning environment with PowerPoint slides, videos, quizzes, and live chat. The 16-hour program is split over four consecutive 4-hour days: three days of instruction followed by one day of testing via Prometric. Participants must have access to a computer, tablet, smartphone or combination of electronic devices with a stable internet connection, sound and camera capabilities.
Who will be my CPO instructor?
All CPO classes are taught by our founder, Katie Crysdale. Katie has received numerous awards from the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) for high quality instruction. She also sits on the CPO Instructor Assessment Committee, certifying new CPO instructors. Click here to read participant feedback.
When will I receive my CPO textbook?
For Zoom registrations 2+ weeks before a class registration deadline, textbooks are shipped from Alberta on Tuesdays (orders received by Monday night) and Thursdays (orders received by Wednesday night). We use Canada Post (regular/domestic orders) or FedEx (expedited or international orders). You will receive a tracking number via email from our website. Please check your spam/junk folder.
For Zoom registrations in the 2 weeks before a class starts, we will ship your materials on the date we provide to you via email. We will do our best to get class materials to you for the start of a class, but shipping carriers can be unreliable for last-minute deliveries. We kindly ask that you register as soon as you know which CPO class you would like to attend; our classes do sell out.
For in-person classes, textbooks are not shipped in advance; all materials are provided on the first day of class. Please contact us to pay S&H if you would like to receive your materials early.
Can I transfer CPO class dates?
Yes.
Can I switch CPO class participants?
Yes. However this must be done prior to the start of the CPO class; this cannot be done after the class has started.
Can I book a private CPO class?
Yes. We offer both in-person and Zoom private CPO classes for a minimum of ten participants. Please contact us for availability.
How do I know if there is still space available in a CPO class?
You will not be able to add the class to your to your cart and it will say sold out. If a specific class date works best for your schedule, do not wait to register; our classes often sell out.
Do I need experience to take the CPO class?
No. Many participants with zero pool experience are successful on the CPO exam. This is why you take a class, to learn.
Do I need to pre-register for a CPO class?
Yes. Registration closes before the first day of class or when the class sells out.
Do your Zoom classes actually sell out? Why can't you just add one more person?
Yes, our classes literally do sell out. We set a hard limit on how many students can participate in a class, and we can't "just" add one more. Too many students means less personal attention, and detracts from the quality classroom experience our clients have come to expect and appreciate. You are welcome to contact us to be added to a waitlist.
Can I book a space in the CPO class on behalf of someone else?
Yes. Please contact us to provide the name, email address and phone number of the participant if it is different from the payer (credit card holder) or the person who entered the transaction on our website.
Is there a membership fee to take this class?
No, just the course registration fee.
Is this CPO class Level 1 or Level 2?
The National Swimming Pool Foundation (now Pool & Hot Tub Alliance) created the first Certified Pool Operator (CPO) class 50 years ago. Copycat organizations created courses that may split into Level 1 & 2 or basic vs advanced. This omits key information pool operators require to do their job. These courses are often not accredited or meet IACET standards. The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance CPO class is accredited across Canada and around the world. The course covers Level 2 or "advanced" information - no additional training is required.
Always check with your public health inspector (PHI) for the regulatory requirements for pool operator training, and your job description to see what organization (if any) is specified for your specific situation.
Where do I get the Zoom link for a CPO class?
A welcome email with information - including Zoom link - is sent out to registered participants one week before the start of class, e.g. April 3 for class starting April 10. Please check your the spam/junk/social/promotion folders of your email, especially if you have a Hotmail account.
Do you teach imperial or metric math?
Public CPO classes are metric math. However, Katie will work 1:1 after class with any American participants who wish to also review the imperial formulas. Private CPO classes are imperial or metric, per client's request.
How long is the CPO certificate valid?
The certification is valid for 5 years from the date of your CPO exam.
Why does the PHTA CPO certificate expire?
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) sets an expiry of 5 years on all CPO certificates. Even knowledgeable pool operators actively working in the aquatic industry need to refresh their knowledge at least every five years.
Some other training organizations do not assign an expiry to their pool operator training programs or certificates. However, an employer/union/public health inspector/jurisdiction may require more recent training (e.g. within a certain time period, such as 5 years) irrespective of there being no expiry on a training certificate.
Is CPO eligible for provincial funding, grants or scholarships?
We have worked with provincial (e.g. Canada-Alberta Job Grant, WorkBC) and indigenous (e.g. Band/Tribal Council) organizations to get CPO training reimbursed as part of employment services programs. Many funding opportunities require approval prior to registering for a class. Please refer to the detailed information specific to the funding you are applying for, and contact us if you have specific information you need for the application.
What is the process to replace a lost CPO certificate?
For classes prior to August 31, 2022 please fill out this form. Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) staff will email you a PDF copy.
For classes after September 1, 2022 please download your certificate from the Prometric Document Portal using your email address, the password provided to you during class, and CPO exam date. For classes after March 25, 2023 please download your certificate from the Prometric Document Portal using your email address and a new (different) password provided to you by PHTA after the CPO class ended.
How can I verify if my CPO certificate is still valid?
If you took your CPO class with Lakeview Aquatic Consultants, please contact us.
If you took your CPO class with a different provider, please contact the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) by emailing service@phta.org or calling 719 - 540 - 9119. They are open Monday - Friday from 8am - 4pm MST, closed on weekends and US statutory holidays.
What is the process to recertify a CPO certification?
Please refer to the CPO Recertification Process for more information.
To register for a recertification, please contact us. Please be prepared to provide a copy of your current CPO certificate if not previously completed with Lakeview Aquatic Consultants. Pool operator courses from other organizations (not PHTA) do not meet the prerequisite for PHTA CPO recertification.
What time is the CPO class?
Please refer to individual class descriptions for program times.
Do you offer the CPO Fusion or Pool Operator Primer (POP) program?
We offer this option by request only. Please contact us for more information.
Is the CPO class available in other languages?
The Pool & Spa Operator Handbook is available in English, French, Spanish, Ukrainian and Russian. The Pool Operator Primer (POP) modules are available in English, Spanish and Russian. CPO exams are available in English, French, Spanish, and Russian.
Please let us know in advance if you require resources in a language other than English. Textbooks are special order (3 weeks minimum for delivery to your location). POP modules and CPO exams must also be specifically setup in a language other than English.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations for CPO registrations must be received at least one week (7 calendar days) in advance of the scheduled start date of a class. Cancellations received less than one week in advance will result in the registration fee being forfeited, unless the participant agrees to transfer to a future class date.
Are CPO classes ever cancelled?
Classes are rarely cancelled.
What will I learn in the CPO class?
Please click here to read the 18 topics covered during the 16-hour class or click here to see a sampler video.
Can I pay by cheque?
Yes. Spaces are not held without payment, so start the requisition process early to avoid the disappointment of your preferred class selling out. Please make cheques payable to Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.
What should I bring to CPO class?
Notebook, pen, calculator, photo ID, a positive attitude and willingness to learn.
Do I need to be in Canada to take the CPO class?
No. Anyone anywhere in the world can participate in a Zoom CPO class if they are fluent in English. Time shifting to your preferred time zone is available for private CPO classes.
Is the math hard in the CPO class?
Some participants find the math very hard, others find it very easy. This will depend on how often math is used in day-to-day life and the ability to learn in a group setting. Participants are expected to perform basic functions: multiplication, division, subtraction, addition. All concepts are taught in class. For any specific concerns, please contact us to discuss further.
Do people fail the CPO exam?
Typically 1 in 10 participants does not meet the passing grade of 74% on this CPO exam. This could be for one of several reasons:
- Participant not following along during class, e.g. leaving to take phone calls, answering emails, texting, gaming, etc.
- English as a Second Language (ESL) participant not asking for extra help or using language translation app
- Undisclosed learning disability, and not asking for extra help or accommodation
- Lower levels of literacy
Our first priority is always for participants to leave the CPO course with a solid understanding of how swimming pools operate. We also want participants to succeed on the exam. For any specific concerns, please contact us to discuss the situation further.
What happens if a participant fails the CPO exam?
Participants are not required to retake the entire class if they fail the exam, however some do (at no additional cost) as a personal choice. Participants can rewrite a different CPO exam up to four times; a $50 retest fee applies.
What content is on the CPO test?
No prior knowledge is required to take the CPO class and be successful on the test. The test is based on essential pool operations taught during class. The CPO test is open book, so students can refer to the textbook and their notes to look up information. One of the goals of the program is to be able to use the textbook for independent troubleshooting in the real world on the job.