CPO Certification by State
CPO Certification by State
What each state actually requires of pool operators, with the rule and the source for every claim.
The PHTA Certified Pool & Spa Operator card is one national credential, good for five years. What changes from state to state is who has to hold one, whether the state names it, and whether a county adds its own step. Each page below covers one state, with links to the rules we used.
FloridaFlorida requires anyone who services a public pool to be certified through a Department of Health approved course. The PHTA CPO is on that list.TexasTexas requires Class A, B and C public pools and spas to run under a trained and certified operator, and the state rule lists the PHTA Certified Pool Operator as an accepted credential.CaliforniaCalifornia regulates how public pools are run, HOA pools included, but it has no statewide certified-operator law. Where operator rules exist, they come from counties.ArizonaArizona’s state rules cover pool design and sanitation but leave operator certification to the counties, and a couple of them want the training done in person.NevadaBoth of Nevada’s big health districts require a certified operator for permitted pools. In Las Vegas, that operator also registers with the Southern Nevada Health District.North CarolinaNorth Carolina requires every public pool to have a responsible operator with documented training, and Wake County adds a step of its own.GeorgiaGeorgia requires public pools and spas to run under a trained operator holding a current certificate from an approved course, and the PHTA CPO is on the state’s list.UtahUtah requires public pools to be run by a certified operator, trained and tested through a program the health department approves.
Where a fully online class may not be accepted
- Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska and Wyoming, plus Pima and Cochise counties in Arizona, St. Charles County and Kansas City in Missouri, and Arlington County in Virginia. If your facility is in one of these, check with your local health department before you book, or call Samuel about an on-site class.
Don’t see your state? More are coming. In the meantime, ask Samuel and he will tell you what your health department expects.
Get certified from any of these states.
Online course, live Zoom test day every Tuesday and Saturday, $395 all-in.