100% Online/Virtual CPO Course
(FAQ's at bottom of page)
*****************************************
Oct. 22, Nov. 5, Nov. 19, Dec. 3, Dec. 17
Jan 7, Jan 28, Feb 11, Feb 25, Mar 11, Mar 25, Apr 8, Apr 22, May 6, May 20, Jun 3, Jun 17, Jul 1, Jul 15, Jul 29, Aug 12, Aug 26, Sep 9, Sep 23, Oct 7, Oct 21, Nov 4, Nov 18, Dec 2, Dec 16
All of our virtual online CPO classes are taught on Tuesdays.
The first part of the CPO course includes approximately 8 hours of self-paced online video content that must be completed before attending one of the scheduled 1-day Zoom virtual classroom sessions above. The CPO exam will take place virtually at the end of the scheduled Zoom class. When registering, please choose a class date that will allow you ample time to 1) receive the class materials in the mail, and 2) complete the first part (approximately 8 hours) of the course before your Zoom class date. We recommend giving yourself at least 2 weeks between registration date and your class date.
Top 10 Online CPO Class FAQ's
1. Is the class really 100% online?
Yes!
2. What is the class format?
There are 2 parts to the virtual class.
Part #1: The first part of the class is self-paced online study and is completed on your own by logging into a self-paced online training program (videos, etc) that we provide you. Once you register we will send you your new CPO handbook and instructions to start this first half of the course (approximately 8 hours). If your class is coming up within 2 weeks we will also email you a starter packet so you can get started on your self paced online training right away. Once received, you complete this first part of the course on your own time, any day you want, any time you want. You can break up this part of the training however you wish, but it must be completed before part #2 of the course.
Part #2: Once you complete this self-paced study, you will attend a scheduled 1-day Zoom virtual training seminar with several other participants and our instructor. This is a full day of live instruction with the CPO exam administered via a computerized testing application at the end of the day. We have several date options for this part #2 Zoom virtual course (top of this page). We recommend you give yourself a minimum of 2 weeks between your registration date and your class date to allow enough time to receive your materials in the mail and complete part #1 of the course. When registering - be sure to note the course time as well – all course times are listed in Eastern Time. Depending on your time zone, your local start time for the Zoom classroom session may be earlier or later than the Eastern time listed.
3. Is this the exact same certification that I would receive in a normal CPO course?
With very few exceptions (Massachusetts - 3 years) ... yes, this is the exact same 5-year CPO certification.
4. What is the cost?
$350 per person is the course registration fee which covers the online primer training, your CPO handbook, additional materials, the exam, the Zoom virtual live instruction, and a certification that is valid for 5 years (3 years in Mass).
5. Do I need to register for a particular course, based on where I live? Is this online version of the course permitted in my state?
Approval of this virtual format of CPO by U.S. states is a fluid situation and the PHTA continues to update the official state approval list regularly. At this time, the CPO virtual certification that we teach is approved for residential pool operators in all 50 states, and commercial pool operators in every US state except: Iowa, Delaware, Nebraska, Idaho, and Wyoming. Additionally, though possible, our company does not teach this virtual version of the CPO course for commercial operators in Florida due to special constraints and requirements. South Carolina HAS approved this course, and we DO offer the SC DHEC exam virtually if a candidate needs it with their CPO. Outside of the couple state issues mentioned above ... regardless of your location, you can register for any of our virtual courses and be confident that your state will recognize your certification. As registrations come in, we look to see where the various participants come from, we group you in with others from your area, split the class into smaller sections if necessary, and we cover water quality parameters from all applicable state pool codes at the end of the day based on where participants are from.
6. What if I don't pass the exam?
Since March of 2020 when the virtual version of the course first came out, we are proud to have a 90% passing rate in this virtual class format. That said, from time to time a participant may not pass the CPO exam on the first try. A re-take can be scheduled with us for $60, and this includes the opportunity to attend an entire day of virtual instruction again.
7. What are the computer requirements for all of this?
In order to take part in the 100% virtual course, you must have access to a computer that has the following components: 1) a webcam, 2) a microphone, 3) speakers (or headphones). We find that laptops work great because they often have all 3 of these items built in. iPads or similar tablet devices also seem to work well but will require some ingenuity at exam time - we can assist with this beforehand. And even an iPhone or similar mobile phone would work up until exam time, but a small phone screen is not ideal for taking an exam so a 2nd devices (without webcam) can be used. If you need to use a desktop computer, it can still work -- you just need to ensure it has all of the components mentioned above, and that they are all working. You also will need to ensure that you have administrator access to the computer so the Zoom software can be installed on the machine before the class. After the class, the software can be removed if you wish. It isn't as tricky as it sounds ... call us if you have questions!
8. How do I know if my technology is working correctly before the course?
We want to try and avoid dealing with significant tech issues at the beginning of each class - it is not a good use of time for other participants. To help with this goal, we host drop-in Zoom technology test sessions several times per week (exact date/time info is included with your class materials). We encourage you to have your Zoom software downloaded before the technology test session, and then use it to connect to us to say Hello! Instructions for the download of Zoom, and also technology test session information is sent with your registration materials.
9. How do I register?
Click here or on the links at the top of this page and complete the online registration/payment. We will send your materials out immediately! If your class is coming up within 2 weeks we will also email you a starter packet so you can get started on your self paced online training right away.
10. I still have questions...who can I call?
Call us anytime. We are here to help. 614.642.2276
You can also email us: info@premierpoolmanagement.com