A 2-day live course on Zoom taught by Duffy Dillon — 30+ years of aquatic safety, certified at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Not a recording. Not self-paced. Real instruction you'll actually remember.
A Certified Pool Operator (CPO) credential from PHTA (Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, formerly NSPF) is the nationally recognized certification for anyone responsible for operating a commercial or public swimming pool. That means hotels, fitness clubs, apartment complexes, schools, summer camps, and aquatic facilities of every kind.
More than 26 states require a certified pool operator on-site — and the rest are trending that way. Even where it's not legally required, insurance providers and facility managers increasingly demand it. CPO certification is a 5-year credential, which means it's a recurring revenue cycle for training providers and a recurring compliance requirement for operators.
Our online CPO certification course delivers the complete PHTA curriculum through live, instructor-led Zoom sessions — not pre-recorded video, not self-paced modules. Two full days of real instruction with Duffy Dillon.
This isn't an asynchronous video course you can half-watch while doing other things. It's a structured 2-day live session with a genuine expert — the kind of instruction where you can ask questions, get real answers, and leave actually prepared for the exam.
9am–1pm ET (Imperial track) or 2–6pm ET (Metric track, May–June only). Pool chemistry fundamentals, water balance, testing protocols, chemical handling, and regulatory compliance. PHTA curriculum, front to back.
9am–2pm ET. Equipment systems, filtration, circulation, safety codes, and full exam preparation. Duffy walks you through everything you need to pass — with context and clarity that a textbook can't provide.
Pass the PHTA exam and receive your official Certified Pool Operator credential — recognized nationwide, valid for 5 years. Course materials and workbooks included in your enrollment.
Duffy Dillon isn't a classroom instructor who memorized a textbook. He's spent over 30 years working in and around aquatic facilities — training operators, managing safety programs, and coaching elite swimmers on the world stage.
He coached at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. He's trained operators across 40+ countries. He knows the difference between pool chemistry that looks correct on paper and a facility that's actually safe. That distinction matters enormously when you're the person responsible for a pool full of people.
When Duffy teaches, students learn. Not because they're forced to — because he makes the material make sense in a way that actually sticks.
"Excellent teaching of material. Good balance of getting down to business and including humor. Very, very good instructor. I would highly recommend Coach Duffy — 10 out of 10."
"Duffy is amazing. Thank you again. Who's better than you? NOBODY!"
"Duffy was great"
"Duffy is positive"
Your enrollment covers the full 2-day course, all required materials, and your path to the official PHTA CPO credential.
Official PHTA curriculum materials and reference guides included with enrollment. The full toolkit for the exam.
Pass the exam, receive your official CPO credential. Nationally recognized. Valid for 5 years.
Two days of direct access to one of the most credentialed aquatic safety instructors working today. Real answers to real questions.
Day 2 is built around exam preparation — the concepts, the format, and the applied knowledge that shows up on the test.
May class includes both Imperial (9am–1pm ET) and Metric (2–6pm ET) measurement tracks. Choose what works for your facility.
Get your CPO certification without leaving your office. Live Zoom course — same rigor, same instruction, no commute.
The online CPO certification course is $475 per student. Enrolling a team? Group pricing drops to $450/student for 3 or more.
Live on Zoom. Two days. PHTA-approved online CPO certification with 30 years of expertise behind every session. 19 days out — seats go fast.
Before you enroll, it helps to know what to expect — and whether your state requires certification in the first place.
A full breakdown of what happens over the 2 days — the material covered, the exam format, and how to prepare.
Read the guide →Duffy's blog covers water chemistry, safety protocols, regulatory updates, and everything pool operators need to stay current.
Browse the blog →Common questions about the course, scheduling, group enrollment, recertification, and what the credential covers.
See all FAQs →Choose your class date, select your measurement track, and complete enrollment in a few minutes. Next class May 27–28.
View schedule & enroll →