certification
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 service@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.
- 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.
- 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 PHTA/GENESIS courses, with the exception of the Pool and Hot Tub Industry Introduction course, award CEUs. There are other programs not run by PHTA that may also qualify for CEUs. Qualification is at the discretion of PHTA. For a list of accredited CEU providers, please visit the Education Partner Program page.
If you hold multiple certifications, the same 24 CEUs can be used for all recertifications. However, you will still need to submit separate recertification forms for each certification (see below).
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.
For CBPs Only:
If I hold an Advanced CBP, how do I recertify?
Your certification needs to be renewed every three years and you will apply using the form linked below. To recertify, submit your documentation of the 24 hours of continuing education and pay the recertification fee. If you hold a higher-level CBP credential (Advanced, Expert, or Master), your CBP needed for licensure renews along with your higher-level credential.
If I need CBP certificate for my licensing board, will I receive this when I recertify?
Yes! When you recertify, there will be a place to indicate that you need this certification for licensure. If you indicate yes, you will receive your higher-level certificate for your wall/office and a CBP certificate to satisfy licensing requirements.
How to Apply for Recertification
Applying for recertification for your PHTA designation takes just four simple steps!
- 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 service@phta.org.
- Provide documentation to show 24 continuing education hours have been acquired.
- Submit these items with the recertification fee.
- 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 service@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 service@phta.org or (719) 540-9119.
