Certified Builder Professional

The Certified Builder Professional is a nationally recognized designation that will teach you how to become a pool contractor or builder who is well respected and sought after by customers and employees. Earning your Certified Builder Professional (CBP) certification will set you apart from colleagues and raise your industry visibility among manufacturers, distributors, and buying groups, ultimately making you and your organization more competitive.

CBP is the first level of certification in the new PHTA Certified Pool Builder and Design Professional Pathway, an education and certification career pathway designed to build on your foundation of knowledge so that you can become a Certified Master Pool Builder and Design Professional.

Prerequisites to Earn the CBP Designation

• Complete one GENESIS® Construction School course:
  • C201: GENESIS® Construction School: Concrete Pools
    OR
  • C260: GENESIS® Construction School: Vinyl Liner/Fiberglass Pools
• Pass the CBP Exam

Exam Information

To become certified as a Certified Builder Professional, you must take the CBP Exam. An additional registration form and $250 fee for the CBP Exam is required.

The C201: Concrete Pools version of the CBP Exam is 3 hours long, open book, with 100 multiple-choice questions. You must score 75% or better to pass (answering at least 75 questions correctly). 

The C260: Vinyl Liner/Fiberglass Pools version of the CBP Exam is 3 hours long, open book, with 125 multiple-choice questions. You must score 75% or better to pass (answering at least 94 questions correctly).

• Application: Must be submitted at least two weeks before your test date.
• Exam Retest Form: If you didn’t pass the exam, you can reschedule a retest within a year of your testing date to avoid having to take the course again.
• CBP Exam Study Guide: Specifically for the C201 version of the exam. Designed to help you prepare for your certification exam, with key points you need to know from each chapter of the C201 Manual. 
  Note: The C260 version of the study guide is coming soon!

Choose How to Take the Exam

• On a computer at a Prometric computer testing center near you. Computer testing gives immediate test results and flexible time to take the exam.
• On a computer remotely proctored at your convenience. Remote proctored computer testing gives immediate test results and unparalleled flexibility to take the exam.
• At a PHTA national, regional, or chapter-sponsored testing event. A list of upcoming events can be found here. You will receive your exam results via email 3 weeks after the exam.
  • Upcoming PHTA Testing Dates:
    • November 13, 2023
      PSP/Deck Expo / Las Vegas, NV
      9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm
    • January 24, 2024
      The Pool & Spa Show / Atlantic City, NJ
      9am-12pm
    • February 16, 2024
      Southwest Pool and Spa Show / San Antonio, TX
      9am-12pm
    • March 23, 2024
      NESPA Spring Training / Hamilton, NJ
      9am-12pm

Please contact PHTA at service@phta.org for additional information on the CBP Exam and application process.

Maintain Your Certification

Learn more about maintaining your status as a PHTA-certified individual and continue to enjoy the associated benefits.

Application for recertification is due on or before December 31 of the year your certification expires. Failure to recertify by that time, or by the end of the 90 day grace period (April 1 of the following year), will result in a late fee being applied to your certification. Up to 1 year past your certification expiration, you will need to reapply for certification, submit proof of total continuing education hours, and pay the recertification fee and the late penalty. For questions or clarification, please contact PHTA at service@phta.org or 719-540-9119.