A CPO, or Certified Pool/Spa Operator, is a person who has successfully completed a specific course of instruction sanctioned by the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF). The NSPF is a national non-profit organization dedicated to aquatic health and safety, and is the leading educator for professionals who service and operate public and private pools and spas.

Who Should Become a CPO?

Anyone who is responsible for managing, supervising, and/or servicing a public or private aquatic facility (such as backyard pools, public pools, homeowner’s association pools, hotel pools, YMCA pools, school pools, and more) should seek Certified Pool/Spa Operator certification.

The Los Angeles Department of Public Health requires that “Any person engaged in … cleaning, servicing or maintaining … public and private pools …” must be certified. The CPO course is a prerequisite for this certification. Click here to learn more about the L.A. Department of Public Health’s swimming pool technician program:
http://www.lapublichealth.org/eh/progs/envirp/rw/rw_tech.htm

Who Teaches the CPO Classes?

Steve Donohoe teaches several classes each year in Southern California: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties. Steve and his wife, Elise, own and operate a residential swimming pool service business in Mission Viejo. His course instruction is taught from a pool service application point of view.  Steve has a passion for teaching and mentoring others.  If you are thinking about starting a pool service business or are new to the industry, Steve’s CPO class is for you!  However, if you are an industry veteran, don’t shy away!  Steve’s presentation will help you sort things out, de-bunk a few industry myths, and maybe reveal the “whys” of what you have been doing.  His best feed back and comments are from pool men with 10 to 20 years of experience!

Where are the classes?

We have teamed up with the largest pool supply distributor in the country, PoolCorp  (PoolCorp.com) .  We share a common philosophy: education is valuable and should be promoted to raise the standards of our industry.  We have classes in their Superior Anaheim, SCP Riverside,  and SCP San Diego offices. Click here for our registration form:  APP’s CPO Registration Form.  Print it out, fill it out and either fax it or send it back to us.

Here’s our 2010 class schedule  (All days are Thursday-Friday):

Superior — Anaheim, CA January 21-22 March 25-26 April 22-23 May 20-21 June 24-25 August 26-27 October 7-8 December 2-3

SCP — San Diego, CA March 4-5 June 10-11 July 8-9 September 9-10 October 21-22

SCP — Riverside, CA February 4-5 April 8-9 May 6-7 July 22-23 September 23-24 November 4-5