Maintain Your Certification

CPO certifications are valid for five years from the end of the month of issuance. For example, certifications issued on March 2, 2018, will expire March 31, 2023.

All other PHTA certifications (CMS, CST, CSP, CPI, CHTT, CRP, and Certified Pool Builder & Design Professionals) are valid for three years, ending on December 31 of the third year. For example, certifications issued in August 2020 will expire December 31, 2023. This new recertification policy went into effect in July 2021. If you have any questions about your recertification date, please email certification@phta.org.

CPO Recertification

For any Certified Pool & Spa Operator^® (CPO^®) candidate that needs to recertify or wishes to enroll in the CPO Program, you have a few options.

1. Holding an active certification but expiration is approaching?

• Candidates can purchase the CPO Fusion course from an instructor, then schedule the second day where the exam is administered at the end of the day.
• Candidates can register with an instructor to attend the second day of a CPO course, where you will take part in the review of the first day, go over jurisdiction updates, question-and-answer portion, followed by the exam.

2. Expired or wish to take the CPO Certification Program?

• Candidates can register for a 2-day CPO Course with an instructor—in-person or virtual. Please check your local jurisdiction for approval regarding the virtual delivery option.
• Candidates can register for the hybrid option with an instructor—CPO Fusion course accompanied by the second-day in-person or virtual delivery.

CMS, CST, CHTT, CRP, CSP, and CPI Recertification &
Certified Pool Builder & Design Professional Recertification

In order to maintain your status as an PHTA-certified individual and enjoy the associated benefits, prior to your certification’s expiration date, you must submit a completed recertification application along with documentation of 24 hours of continuing education credits (CEUs). All courses that are industry- and/or business-related qualify. To document your CEUs, you will need to keep all certificates that are issued from the course organizer.

A certificate of completion is sufficient, provided that it contains the following information:

• Course name
• Date(s) of attendance
• Sponsoring organization
• Hours of training
• Individual’s name

If a certificate is not issued as part of the course, please request that information, in writing, from the course registrar; an email is sufficient.

Please note: All CEU documentation must be submitted with the recertification application. PHTA does not keep track of courses attended by certified individuals; it is your responsibility to maintain these records. CEUs submitted outside of the recertification application will be destroyed.

How to Apply for Recertification

Applying for recertification for your PHTA designation takes just four simple steps!

1. Complete the appropriate recertification form for CBP/Advanced CBP/Expert CBP/Master CBP or CMS/CST/CHTT/CSP/CPI. For information on CRP for Retail Professionals, email certification@phta.org.
2. Provide documentation to show 24 continuing education hours have been acquired.
3. Submit these items with the recertification fee.
4. Receive a certificate for an additional three years. (Note: Applications received without all 24 continuing education hours will be considered incomplete and will not be accepted.)

Failure to Renew or Submit CEUs

A letter will be sent (either via email or mail to the contact information on file for the individual) by September 1 of the year of certification expiration to remind you of your upcoming renewal. It is the individual’s responsibility to keep all contact information current. If you move or change jobs, please notify the PHTA by email at certification@phta.org.

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 certification@phta.org or 703-838-0083 ext. 144.