Virtual Training

PHTA has allowed the The Certified Pool/Spa Operator® Certification to be offered virtually. The course covers all the same topics as the in-person class such as water chemistry, pool calculations, risk and liability, management, pumps and filters, etc. It includes access to an E-book for the exam, handouts emailed prior to your session, and a certification if you successfully pass the exam. A book will be shipped to you home address.  

This will be a live session via Zoom. You will need to download this application prior to the seminar. You can participate via your computer, phone, or tablet, but need an internet connection and you MUST HAVE A WEBCAM!

When you enroll in a course, you will receive an invitation to join the class and receive class notes via email prior to your class date. You will need to ensure that you are registered and all your contact information is verified, so it is imperative that you return our phone calls and respond timely to our emails. You will be required to show your ID (and online certification of completion if applicable) to the instructor during the registration process.  We will limit our classes to 30 people per class and it is first come, first serve on enrollment. We will add as many classes as needed to meet demand, as we have multiple instructors available to teach the courses. 

You will receive a link to use a flip E-book for the exam. This flip E-book is not downloadable or printable, but can be viewed at anytime. If you have your own manual, you can use it for the exam. If your order included the physical handbook, it will be shipped to youe home address 

The second day of class you will attend and will have a review of pool calculations, go over your governmental state code and take your exam. It is a three-hour exam, open book-open note. You need a 75 percent to pass. Once you pass, you will receive a national certification in 4-6 weeks. It is valid for five years.

If you pass, you will receive a national certification good for five years. Massachusetts only accepts virtual training as valid for three years. Check with your state or local health department to ensure your state will accept your certification if obtained virtually. NOT ALL STATES ACCEPT THE VIRTUAL PROGRAM. This list may not be complete or current, so please check yourself.

VIRTUAL TRAINING FAQS

What does the virtual course entail?

This Certified Pool/Spa Operator® Certification course is a live virtual ZOOM class (Eastern Time Zone). It includes access to an E-book for the exam, handouts emailed prior to your session, and a certification if you successfully pass the exam. A book will be shipped to you home address.

What do I need for the virtual class?

This will be a live session via Zoom. You will need to download this application prior to the seminar. You can participate via your computer, phone, or tablet, but need an internet connection and you MUST HAVE A WEBCAM!  You need to be able to fully utilize your computer on your own as when you test you are not permitted to have anyone else in the room with you. You also need to download handouts that will be emailed and have a photo ID.

What are the hours of the virtual class?

The class is 8:30 – 500 PM, Eastern time. There is a night class from time to time, but that class is available as a separate registration.

What is the difference between the one-day and two-day virtual class?

The virtual two-day class follows the same schedule as the in-person two-day class. The one-day virtual class requires you to take the online primer training prior to attending the one-day virtual class. The live virtual one-day class is review and Q&A. Then, each virtual class is followed by a proctored open book, open note exam.

How much is the course?

The two-day virtual class is $380 (early) and $420.00 (late). The one-day virtual class and primer is $425.00 (early) and $450.00 (late).

What happens once I register for the virtual class?

When you enroll in a course, you will receive an invitation to join the class and receive class notes via email prior to your class date. You will need to ensure that you are registered and all your contact information is verified, so it is imperative that you return our phone calls and respond timely to our emails. You will be required to show your ID (and online certification of completion if applicable) to the instructor during the registration process.  We will limit our classes to 30 people per class and it is first come, first serve on enrollment. We will add as many classes as needed to meet demand, as we have multiple instructors available to teach the courses.

What is the virtual class like?

Please log in between 8:10 – 8:25 am on the first day. You will be put into a waiting room. The Instructor will bring you into the meeting one at a time to check IDs at the beginning of class. You will need to turn your camera on to show your face and have a valid ID ready. If you do not have a camera for your computer, you would need to go into the meeting via Zoom on your phone to show your ID. Then, you can sign back onto the computer to receive the online training without video of you. When you are signed in, your sound will be muted. The instructor will un-mute you during the registration process, but again mute you for the presentation.

If you have questions during the class, you have the ability to raise a virtual hand. When that happens, the instructor will un-mute you to ask the question. Also, the instructor will un-mute all students at the end of each section to see if there are any other questions about that section, or your pool specifically pertaining to that section. In smaller classes, the instructor may allow you to un-mute yourself during the section to ask questions, but be mindful of background noises that may give feedback (Audio on phone & computer together, TV, kids, pets, etc.)

On the first day students will be sent an email containing their personal login for the Test Trac account for the exam. The voucher number you need WILL NOT BE SENT UNTIL DAY TWO, DIRECTLY BEFORE YOUR EXAM IS TO BEGIN.

There will be intermittent breaks, as well as a half hour for lunch. It is your responsibility to return from those breaks promptly, as the session will continue as scheduled whether you have returned to your device or not.

How do I take the exam?

At the end of the class, the instructor will ask for any final questions. Once done, students will be sent an email with the login information for Test Trac. Students will take a 5-minute break while the instructor will email your Exam Voucher to the email you provided the office staff. YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE VIDEO ON YOURSELF DURING THE EXAM! (NO VIDEO = NO EXAM) Instructor will give brief instructions and begin to proctor the exam.  You will have three (3) hours to complete & submit. You only get one attempt per voucher. Any questions during the exam you will direct chat with the instructor on Zoom.  When you are done with the exam, it will provide you a grade and pass/fail.  Then you can sign out of the exam program and Zoom.  We will email you a Congrats Letter in the coming days and the PHTA will email the actual CPO^® certificate once we have submitted the class materials. IT IS REQUIRED THAT YOU SET UP YOUR TEST TRAC EXAM ACCOUNT AT LEAST A DAY PRIOR TO THE EXAM. ALL STUDENTS TAKE THE EXAM AT THE SAME TIME SO THE CLASS CANNOT WAIT FOR YOU TO SET UP YOUR ACCOUNT.

How do I use ZOOM?

If you are unfamiliar with Zoom training, please log onto www.zoom.us to view the site and familiarize yourself with the site. (They also have short tutorial videos) You can test your microphone & audio here:

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/115002262083-Joining-a-test-meeting

You can also go to this website for Zoom tips and shortcuts (like ALT+V to turn video on/off & ALT+A to turn audio on/off):

https://www.lightscameralive.com/blog/zoom-shortcuts