Several years ago, the National Spa & Pool Institute ("NSPI") decided to develop a professional certification and training program to identify the very best in the pool industry. It also identifies those that make the effort to continue on a professional career track within the pool industry. They put together the Certified Building Professional ("CBP") and Certified Service Professional ("CSP") programs and, more recently, the Professional Pool & Spa Operator ("PPSO") program.
At the NSPI web site you can review certifications and membership status. By doing this, you can verify information given to you by a pool professional about his or her certification level or membership status. Within the website NSPI lists current CBPs and CSPs. As of this writing there are less than 160 NSPI Certified Service Professionals in the United States. There are 120 NSPI Certified Building Professionals. Of these, there are 36 companies nationwide that have staff on hand with both designations. These NSPI certified designations are awarded to individuals who have taken the time, invested the resources, attended many hours of continuing education and have taken a rigorous examination to become masters and true professionals within the pool industry.
Here are the requirements to be certified in each program:
Certified Building Professional
Certification is good for 3 years and must be revalidated through continuing education and or written examination.
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5-years minimum industry experience as a Pool Company Owner or Manager building swimming pools
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Own a copy of the NSPI Builders Manual with NSPI/ANSI standards and adhere to them
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Attend a minimum of 40 hours continuing education prior to testing and certification
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Answer questions regarding business ethics, stability and professionalism
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Be involved in the business side of a firm (e.g. hands on management, budgeting issues, profit and loss, customer relations, etc.)
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Pass the CBP exam, which measures competency in the area of pool and spa building. The test is a 4-hour closed book exam.
NSPI has recently added CBP level 1 and level 2 programs for builders/pool professionals interested in a structured training program. The CBP designation would be the final phase of this new program after attaining level 1 & 2 status. NSPI recently certified several current CBP's to be course administrators for future training programs. This will make the certification and educational process much like the current CSP program.
Certified Service Professional Certification is good for 5 years and must be revalidated through continuing education and or written examination
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Attain Tech 1 Certification (40-hours classroom or pass written proficiency exam)
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Attain Tech 11 Certification (40 hours classroom instruction and written exam)
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5-years minimum experience in the pool industry
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Attend a minimum of 40 hours additional continuing education
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Pass the CSP exam, which measures competency in the area of pool and spa maintenance, service and care. The test is a 4-hour closed book exam.
Certified Professional Pool & Spa Operator
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Geared towards commercial pool operations
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16 Hours classroom Instruction
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Must pass a written examination
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PPSOI-Certified Professional Pool & Spa Operator Instructor (NSPI). These individuals certify PPSOs. They must attend certification training.
Other industry certification programs include:
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CPO-Certified Pool Operator. Required by many states and municipalities for commercial pool operations, and is conducted by the National Swimming Pool Foundation.
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CPOI-Certified Pool Operator Instructor. These individuals certify CPOs.
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AFO-Aquatic Facility Operator. Required by many states and municipalities for commercial pool operations, and is conducted by the National Park and Recreation Association.
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AFOI-Aquatic Facility Operator Instructor. They must attend certification training.
By working with a Pool Builder or Professional Organization that values education and certification you will ultimately end up with superior product. Now that you understand the professional designations for the swimming pool industry, you can use this information to help select your professional pool builder and pool service professional.
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Special thanks to Kevin Woodhurst, President of Precision Pools and Spas, for providing this information for About Phoenix visitors. Kevin Woodhurst CBP, CSP, PPSOI, CPO, CPOI, AFO President of Precision Pools and Spas in Chandler holds more industry certifications than any other pool professional in the pool industry. To learn more about Precision Pools & Spas visit them online.
