CPO Certification in Texas
Texas 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.
Texas regulates public pools and spas under Chapter 341 of the Health and Safety Code and 25 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 265, Subchapter L. Section 265.205 says all Class A, Class B and Class C pools and spas “shall be maintained under the supervision and direction of a properly trained and certified operator.”
The state accepts four credentials: the PHTA Certified Pool Operator, NRPA’s Aquatic Facility Operator, ASPSA’s Licensed Aquatic Facility Technician, or an equivalent course approved by the local regulatory authority.
The certified operator does not have to be on site every hour the pool is open, according to the Department of State Health Services summary of the rule.
Numbers Texas inspectors look for
- Class A and B pools: test and record water quality every two hours (25 TAC 265.193).
- Class C pools: three times a day with on-site staff, once a day without.
- Keep test records at least three years.
Local notes
- Fort Worth runs its own pool and spa operator course with an in-person day, and the local certificate has to be posted with the pool permit. If your pool is in Fort Worth, check with the city’s Consumer Health division before you book any class, ours included.
- Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio permit and inspect pools locally. If you are not sure what your inspector wants to see, ask them.
One online course and one live test day.
You do the PHTA CPO Fusion coursework online at your own pace, about 6 hours for most people, then join Samuel on Zoom for one live test day. Test days run every Tuesday and Saturday at 9:00 AM Pacific (11 AM Central). Pass the 50-question exam and Samuel issues your certificate the same day from the PHTA instructor portal. It is good for five years.
The state rule doesn’t say anything about how the class is taught. Outside of cities that add their own course (see the local notes above), the online course and live Zoom test day earn the PHTA CPO card.
$395 covers the course, the printed PHTA handbook, the live test day, the proctored exam, the certification, two retakes proctored by Samuel (PHTA charges $75 per retake), a free copy of The Pool Operator Playbook, and lifetime access to the CPO PRO operator community.
Get certified from Texas.
$395 all-in. Certificate the day you pass.
Sources. Last reviewed September 22, 2026. This page summarizes public rules and is not legal advice. Local health departments can add their own requirements, so confirm with yours.